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The great things about hexagons are that they only require scraps and you can work on them anywhere…at the orthodontist visit, after school pick up, or road trips! The Molecular Hexies quilt block is the final block for the CLMQG BOM. I hope to complete my remaining 4 blocks (8,9,10,&11) next week so that I can begin putting the quilt together soon! This is a 12.5 inch(12″ finished) hexagon block based on the craftsy.com BOM and tutorial by echinopsaster.blogspot.com. 
Supplies: 12.5″ background fabric Scraps of fabric for hexies Paper template Scissors Needle & thread *read all directions before starting your project… For the original CLMQG block, I used a 1-1/4″ hexie template and arranged them in rows of 5 & 4. If you’re working on the CLMQG BOM, but are unable to do handwork, I’ve provided the link to Jacquie Gering’s blog tutorial on Sewing Hexagons By Machine Without Marking for an alternative to English Paper Piecing. For the block variation, I used a variety of the hexagon templates to create a Molecular Hexie block and laid them out in a fun pattern. You get to choose which design you’d like to add to your quilt. Be creative! Print your templates and cut out the hexagons. Template downloads 3/4″ Hexie 1″ Hexie 1-1/4″ Hexie 1-1/2″ Hexie 2″ Hexie After you’ve cut the paper templates out, gather your fabrics and cut your scrap at least a 1/4″ around on all sides of the template for easy turning. Use a small pin to secure the paper to the fabric. 
Either finger press, or if it makes you feel more comfortable until you get the hang of it, iron down all the sides. Once you’ve mastered the hexies you’ll no longer need to iron. 
Thread your needle and make a small knot. Use any thread to baste your hexagons. I like to use up some of my older, less expensive spools here. Starting on one of the points, work your way in and out around the hexagon and through the paper. 
To attach the hexagons, layer right sides together and whip stitch, grabbing just enough fabric to keep them together, but not going through the paper this time. For this step I use a coordinating YLI silk thread which can be found at your LQS. It glides right though the fabrics without knotting, is strong, & buries your stitches making them barely noticeable! I use YLI silks for all of my hexies and appliqué projects. 
Tiny whip stitches make all the difference to make sure your stitching is barely visible from the front. Practice, practice:) Once your hexagons are attached to one another, clip the basting threads and release the paper. Starch and press back into shape. But don’t toss those papers out yet! You can reuse them for other hexie projects. 
Decide on the hexie placement of your block and pin into place on the background fabric. 
Appliqué your hexies with a top stitch close to the edge onto your background fabric. 
My Molecular Hexie was made using a variety of Kaffe and other modern prints and machine appliquéd onto a hand-dyed background fabric. I enjoyed this block and I hope you do too! 
Now wasn’t that easy? The hardest part was just deciding which Hexie block to make!
After staring at my Micael Miller challenge fabrics for 2 weeks, I’m finally done designing and quilting it!
Anyone ever get stuck and can’t seem to find a vision when designing? Me too! It’s always easier for me to start with a few tricks to get me started.
Find inspiration. I knew the fabrics reminded me of all those pins I’ve been drooling over on my Mid-Century Modern Pinterst board so that was definetly my inspiration.
Write down every idea or design that pops in your mind! This one is important. I can’t stress this enough. I do this for my writing also. Even if you don’t think that idea will ever become something you create. Sometimes just one thought/picture/word can catapult creativity. I kept a mini notebook next to me on the couch along with the fabrics. I came up with several ideas, all of them involving a kitty. If you don’t write or sketch your ideas, you will forget them!
Keep a visual in your sight, for instance your fabrics you’re working with. Now, I know this is kinda sadistic if you’re stuck in a design rut, but trust me…outta sight, outta mind. And that’s bad if you have a deadline! I used my portable desin board, which is just a cardboard moving box from U-Haul with a piece of batting pinned to it, to aide in this process. I pinned all my fabrics to it with my ideas and made labels to remind me what goes where, placed it next to my television, which forced me to constantly look at it, and proceeded to hem & haw over it another week.
You’ve decided on a direction, now go for it! Nothing changed on my board for that whole week, so I knew it was what I wanted to make. At least the basic idea, which included the kitty, tile counter top, and the button clock.
Once I started sewing, I told myself the story. What’s kitty staring at the clock for? Cocktail time, of course! It’s five o’clock and she’s a Cosmo Kitty! So I added a couple of martini glasses.
And everything sorta fell into place. Embellishing is my favorite part! After quilting the background, I raw edge appliquéd. I added real clock hands to the clock, along with the buttons and embroidery detail to the Cosmos.
You’re finished? Well you know what that means, right? Put your feet up and enjoy your own Cosmo while you admire your hard work! Here’s my favorite Cosmo to get you started…I’m sure it’s five o’clock somewhere.
Ice cubes
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces cranberry juice
1/2 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce Triple Sec
Fresh cranberries and lime wedge
Cheers y’all!
Wow that’s a lot of initials. I’m all caught up on the guilds block of the month and I wanted to share how our progress was going.
These block tutorials are located on the Crystal Lake Modern Quilt Guilds blog. Just click the button on the left hand side of our blog and it will take you there if you’re interested in making one of your own.
Paige picked out all the fabrics and I’m doing the sewing. Together we’re going to have one fabulous quilt! She’s using a variety of Kaffe prints, modern plaids and hand dyed solids. I’ve already showed y’all 2 of the blocks so far but since it was such a beautiful day here and I had time to spare, I took some great shots of the blocks outside.
Block #1
Block #2 Modern Maple
Block #3
Block #4 Modern Movement
Block #5 “X And +”
Block #6 Anita’s Arrowhead
Block #7 Rolling Diamonds
And here they are showing off all together like jewels in the sun!
I’m back with my second CLMQG BOM tutorial. Our inspiration for this block came from Sara Peterson at KnottyGnome.com. Remember, if you want to play along too, you can find us at The Crystal Lake Modern Quilt Guild or download the BOM instructions directly from the CLMQG blog.
Gather your fabrics & lets get started!
Begin by cutting your fabrics.
(12) 2.5″ white squares
(8) 2.5″ orange squares
(4) 4.5″ dark blue squares
(1) 4.5″ white square
(4) 4.5″ x 2.5″ green rectangles
(4) 4.5″ x 2.5″ light blue rectangles
On the wrong side of your fabric, use a pencil to mark a diagonal line through your (12) 2.5″ white & (8) 2.5″ orange squares.
Making your corner squares:
Place one of the white squares and one of the orange squares in opposite corners of the dark blue square. Sew directly on the diagonal line.
Use your ruler to trim 1/4 inch away from your seam.
Press your block and repeat with the other two corners. This time using (2) 2.5″ white squares. Press. Make 4 of these units.
Making your center square:
Using the same method as you did to make the corner squares, place a 2.5″ orange square in opposite corners of the 4.5″ white square. Sew on the diagonal line. Trim 1/4″ away from your seam and press.
Repeat with the other two corners using (2) 2.5″ orange squares. Press.
Making the middle rectangles:
Sew the green rectangle to the light blue rectangle along the long side. Press these seams open. Make 4.
Finishing the block:
Lay out the block according to the photo. Begin by sewing the blocks into 3 rows.
**A helpful hint** while you’re sewing your blocks into rows.
To keep your corner square (Diamond) points aligned with the seam of the middle rectangles…
Place your corner unit and middle rectangle unit right sides together. Insert a straight pin into the intersecting point of the corner unit.
Making sure that the end of the straight pin goes directly into the seam from the other side.
Pin. This will prevent your blocks from shifting while sewing and keep the seam aligned with the Diamond point.
Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, sew over the intersecting point. Remember to go slowly if you’re like me and love to sew over your pins:)
After all of that careful pinning, you will be rewarded with beautiful points!
Sew the rows together.
You’ve completed your Rolling Diamonds Quilt Block! This is our block for Crystal Lake Modern Quilt Guild.
And this fabulous version is going into our BOM.
The Michael Miller challenge fabrics arrived, are cut and are ready to be passed out this Sunday at the CLMQG meeting. I hope you’re as excited as me! This fabric is beautiful and so soft. I have an idea in my head about what I want to do with it, but of course I have to keep it a secret!
We have 2 alternate times for pick-ups for those of you who have registered for the challenge but can’t make it to Sundays meeting.
Paige and I will be at the Starbucks on route 31 in Cary in front of the Super Walmart from 9am to 10am on Friday, April 11th.
Shelley will also have them available from 12-5 Friday afternoon at Material Girl.
I spent all day cutting & bundling these.
And after I bundled them, I added a little ‘fortune cookie’ note to set the mood!
If you’re unfamiliar with the challenge, visit the Modern Quilt Guild website and catch up because I’m sure you’ll want to see the winners and original quilts that the talented modern quilters come up with!
SewMod