Science Fair Quilt: Behind the Scenes

If you’re wondering what it took to make Science Fair check out some fun little peeks of the progress that spanned over 2 years!

In the beginning there was a jelly roll…..2015 A.D.

I am so glad I finally have a new ironing board cover. The green one pictured was about at the end of its useful life.

What you’re not seeing is the year flying by and 2016 starting.

The halves get sewn together!

It was alot of pinning. So much pinning and then I decided I wasn’t going to do my original quilting pattern and unpinned nearly all of it in favor of some basic straight lines.

Way too ambitious for a table top machine. This would’ve look amazing if I’d been able to have someone quilt it on a long arm.

It took about a month of quilting it off and on and moving the sewing machine to the cutting table for better workflow.

I want to state that I am proud of my binding skills. Though I dislike hand binding it looks so much neater and practice makes perfect.

Even if you feel awkward taking pictures of yourself with your works of art do it anyway. You’ll need a good laugh one day.

 

Science Fair Quilt

Hooray! My first finish of 2017! This quilt has been sitting on my bucket list for over 2 years and has been a WIP for just as long. Despite the wind the sun made a rare appearance and we got all of our pictures done.

Science Fair is a pattern designed by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts. Julie is well known for her geometrically inspired designs and her clever quilt rulers. Without her Hex n’ More ruler this pattern would have been darn near impossible to make without alot of beer and cursing.

I specifically picked this pattern because my sister Sarah, who I made this for, and her husband are both chemistry and math geeks. Anyone who knows my undying hatred of math (except algebra, you’re cool) should know that this quilt was finished by sheer willpower and the love I have for my youngest sibling.

It’s always good to have a tall person handy for a quilt shoot.

Happy sewing!

Back in Orange

If you’ve been following me over in Instagram land you’ve been seeing hints of progress with the Science Fair quilt aka the Hexie quilt.  It’s currently in the basting process as I’ve decided I’m going to suck it up and quilt this mini beast at home.

I went and bought backing fabric, in orange. Yes, orange.  It’s a color I rarely use in such large, open expanses like the back of a quilt.  But this shade drew me in.  It’s called Prisma Elements by Art Gallery and it’s SO soft and drape-y (that’s a word, right?).  I’d almost make a circle skirt out of this because it’s that comfy feeling.  How do they do it?

I don’t know the official hue name but I’m going to say it’s a tangerine.  The gray stacked above it will be used as the binding.  I really think the orange is going to give this quilt a giant POP of color.  Or maybe a BAM! POW! BOP! of color.

It’s worth it to go big on the backing of any quilt in my opinion.  I’m starting to think of the back as a kind of hidden treasure and I’m making strides these days to liven them up and be not so ordinary.

Happy Sewing!

The Science Fair Quilt

Science Fair by Jaybird Quilts has been in my “to make” pattern pile for at least a year or two.  I even had the jellyroll already bought and in my stash for nearly as long.

As is often the case at the beginning of a new year I’m in full on GET ALL THE THINGS DONE! mode. I was also keen on trying out the new and challenging shape of the hexagon.  Hexagons are once more making a comeback.  They seem to be replacing the Chevron Craze that swept the pattern world two years ago.  I still love chevrons, but hexies need a little love too.

The jellyroll I’m using is from the fabric line Quilt Blocks by Ellen Luckett Baker for Moda.  I’ve had bits of this fabric line before but had never seen the whole collection and I must say, it’s very fun!

I already have my combinations picked out.  Turns out the lap sized quilt for this pattern uses 26  2.5″ x 44″ strips for the Hexagon portion.  As a typical Moda jellyroll has about 40 strips in it you’ll have plenty of choices to mix-n-match with which is great if you’re like me and can only buy a jellyroll here and there.  You don’t need to use a jellyroll though and the pattern gives specifics on how to do this.  Just keep in mind if you aren’t using pre-cuts you’ll need 26 different colors (or about that many) in about 1/4 yd increments to make your 13 strip sets.  Contrast is also key so alternating light and darks and even throwing in a medium tone will help make your hexies pop.

Another tip, if you even plan on doing this pattern I highly recommend picking up the Hex n’ More acrylic ruler.  You won’t regret it.  The pattern does come with templates that you’ll need to copy and then cut out, but nothing beats a good, solid template ruler.

I’ll tell you more about the Hex n’ More ruler in a Cool Tools post soon, till then Happy Sewing!