Slow Stitching Update -

Sometimes more is more.  More is better.  More is needed.

And in the case of my EPP hexie border...because of where I'm going to trim it, I needed to add a 3rd row to the border length.

Once I laid it out against the mothership, it was just insignificant and would likely disappear with trimming and adding a binding of some sort.

And it's not like there are not more hexagon papers on hand - and an abundance of neutral fabrics to just keep sewing, so let's go!

For those asking if I've ever done a hexie tutorial, check out the Tips & Techniques tab at the top of the blog since it is more of a technique, and not an actual pattern.

I thread baste my hexies - just tacking the corners around the paper shape, not actually sewing through the paper.

*Note* This only works when the shape is small enough not to gap at the sides. I wouldn't do this on hexies over 1'' per side. They are going to need more to hold the fabric around the shape snuggly.

I am not a fan of glue. It makes the papers harder to remove and reuse, and I just don't like sticky fingers.

My method involves tacking the fabric around the paper shape, running my needle up through a corner of the basted hexie and immediately sewing it onto wherever it is going so the thread is more continuous.  

The basting/tacking stitches stay IN the project (not visible from the front side) and help maintain the seam allowances of the hexies so they are not flopping all different directions loosey-goosey. Look closely at the photo above and you'll see the basting/tacking stitches holding the seam allowances in place all nice and neat.

Border so far.
You can see where I've started adding the 3rd row to the border at the far left.
Remember that this edge will be trimmed straight across after quilting (Which I plan to do by machine this time.) and much of it will be hidden beneath binding - that's why I've decided to add a 3rd row to the borders.
And this will take me a long time - I'll need to create neutral borders for the top and bottom of the quilt to float them too, and there are still 8 motifs with the aqua borders to make (saved for future Craftours trips) so I don't expect this top to reach finished status any time soon.
It's just a bit of slow progress in this slow-down time of oncoming holidays and I'm here for it.

Sunning in the mulch!
I made a trip to the garage yesterday afternoon for daily treat distribution time.
This is where I found Flash & Tula.  They know to go where the sun is warmest!
I love knowing they are comfortable with each other even though Flash is still living by the 6 feet away rule when it comes to humans.
News on the quilting machine issues:
My tablet came back from Intelliquilter and I put everything back on the machine in high hopes that things would work.
I got through a partial row and the same thing happened - the tablet lost connection with the motors, the machine stopped in one place (still stitching in one place) and the screen on the tablet went blank.
There is a short or something somewhere that I am not equipped to handle so I am making an appointment for someone to come out, give my longarm a spa day, and help me troubleshoot what may be happening.
I will not be defeated!  It's okay that I don't know how to fix everything, do everything myself.
The most important thing is that we get the machine back up and working.  It doesn't do any good to be mad at an inanimate object - though we know we ALL do it.
As much as I'd love to see some quilt finishes - I'm happy with top finishes that can be quilted after everything is fixed.
It's okay to know when to give up and just get help.  And that applies to a lot of things in life, too - doesn't it?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Some days may pass as ordinary. But we can also make a choice to do something that makes everyday just a bit special.

 
Make moments that are keepers!

Have a terrific Tuesday, everyone -