Hexagon I-spy!

Happy Bloggers' Quilt Festival!  When I first started this blog, it was so I could show off my quilts for BQF.  I haven't posted anything for a couple of years (the more kids I have, the less I quilt) but I was SO EXCITED for the return of the old format (and the randomized prizes instead of popularity-contest prizes) that I decided to go take a few pictures.

My Hexagon I-spy quilt!!!

This little baby was a serious labor of love--It was also my nesting project.  I pieced the top last summer when I was pregnant with my now-1-year-old.  When some people are nesting, they clean and organize things....when I'm nesting, I quilt. :)  I got the majority of the I-spy pieces from an awesome swap group I'm a part of (a yahoo group called ISpyQuilts, if you're curious).

The pieces for that swap were 4" squares, which I cut down with a hexagon template I talked my husband in to machining for me on his mill.  Then, when I started laying all the hexis out, I got the brilliant idea to add hexagonal sashing....so I did some more talking and wrangled a non-regular hexagon from the machinist husband.

And then I sewed.....and sewed.....and sewed.  As you can see, this quilt has about a billion Y-seams. Thank heavens for my new sewing machine that does neat tricks like raising and lowering the presser foot when I tap the foot pedal and cutting the thread with the push of a button.

I try to make the backs of my I-spy quilts fun and somewhat related to the tops....I couldn't find any hexagon fabric I loved...but I found this stuff that was supposedly ice cubes that looked hexagonal enough for me.

When I got done piecing the top, I was SO DONE with looking at and working with this quilt.  My amazing and very talented sister was kind enough to take pity on me and quilted it on her long-arm to help me get it finished up.

I love I-spy quilts.  I have two of them on my bed (I know! Originally, I thought I'd let the kids put them on their beds but I love them too much to let them go!)  I just love how colorful and interesting and fun they are.  I have another one in progress....I'm hoping to have it done for the next Bloggers Quilt Festival!