Quiltingboard Forums - My First Sampler Quilt

Some wanted to know how I did the Xmas Hexagons. The backing I cut out an 8in Hexagon- I have a set of nested templates so makes it easier. The top part is a 7 in hexagon- you can either applique or as is the case we were lucky to have been given some patterns as well when we meet for our monthly craft group. My stocking/Xmas Tree etc you may recognise as Die Cuts from KeepSake Quilting- I do buy a lot off them (fabric/books etc) as the exchange rate with the Aussie $ is on par at present so I get real value for money. Over here you can pay up to $6.50 for 1 fat quarter-I can get 6 for $15.99 from Keepsake Quilting and they have the most wonderful catalogues.I srtill support my local shop and buy heaps off them as well as I think it is important in these economic times to support your local shops Some of my other designs I adapted from pictures I found etc. My Love Hexagon is all made from little buttons which I attached in the shape of a heart. Cut out the batting same size as top 7in. You double fold the back over and that becomes your binding which I handstitched down-I used red /green and gold Xmas fabrics for backings. You can either quilt as you go- in my case I used iron on pellon instead of batting(not sure if you call it that over there). Instead of sewing all individually together I made small red suffolk puffs and attached at the corners of each hexagon and added a gold bead to centre of suffolk puff-you may not see this clearly in photo. I didn't fancy hand stitching them all together.
I have heaps of African fabrics and am thinking of doing something similar. I have a design book on African tribal symbols and am thinking of including some of those in my hexagons.
THe addiction is that bad I think I can just about open my own fabric shop- SABLE (Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy). LOL
KiwiAussie Jen
Hope you can make sense out of all this