I’m very excited to say that I might actually finish my Halloween Quilt before Halloween! I’m spending a LOT of my sewing time on it because I know that after Halloween it will go into the Unfinished Objects (UFO) basket. I will not have the enthusiasm to be sewing with black cats and skeletons after spooky season. Plus I’m eager to get back to my Christmas Quilt that I started two years ago!

Anyhow…..

Here is the progress so far…

I still have another row to go. And then borders.

I ran out of fabric for the black backgrounds! (that’s why the hexie flower on the bottom row on the left is shown on batting!) And I ran out of orange thread for quilting! What quilter does that? (me) So off I went to the quilt shop yesterday. I wanted to get fabric for borders, too, but I couldn’t make up my mind! So many choices! So indecisive!

Some details. I am doing a “Quilt as you Go” method. I’m making each square separate and quilting on the batting. Then I will stitch them all up together when all of the blocks are finished. After the blocks are all stitched together, I will put on the backing, do minimal quilting around each block, then add the binding.

Since I have no faith in my Frankenstein hand stitching holding the hexies together, I am doing a very secure quilting stitch around each little hexie and then another around the entire hexie flower.

The stitches come with my Babylock. It’s kind of a double blanket stitch. On the outside I am using a single blanket stitch. These hexies will not get away!

I still have a bunch of hexies left over that I will keep for next year’s Halloween project–a table runner. Plus I am making special little treat bags with some of the extras.

And onto other quilty meanderings….

I often get emails and comments about using the quilt designs I post. I’m always happy when quilters use them. I seldom get photos of the quilt. But last week Susan sent me this picture of her HST Love quilt that she made with my pattern and upcycled denim. It’s beautiful.This is just the top. She will be adding red and black Buffalo plaid on the back. Sounds very cozy for the upcoming winter months! You can see my version of the HST Love quilt here.

Sunny Day Supply is starting her annual Norah Quilt A Long on October 23rd. I have made one Norah Quilt. I enjoyed making it and even tried hand quilting for the first time. I also started one last year but was not happy with my fabric selection and stuffed it in a drawer. I’m thinking about getting it back out and playing with it.

Moda BlockHeads 4 continues. I am not doing this one but if you are a beginning quilter or want to learn new techniques, this is the one to try. I have learned so much from these quilt a longs (QAL) . The first QAL I did was the Splendid Sampler. I learned how to EPP, FPP, and applique from that project. All the designers in these QALs are fantastic and the tutorials are really easy to follow.

On another quilty subject….

It finally turned a little cool here on the Nature Coast of Florida. I can actually wear jeans and a sweat shirt! I pulled the autumn quilts out that I have. Not very many but they do brighten up the house.

My Fall quilted wall hanging in the dining room, Bears Around the Fire. Love it!

And this quilt stays at the end of the bed for my afternoon naps. So cozy with minky for backing.

One more. This one is on the trunk so Athena can have a quilty nap, too.

Last snap, just because it’s pretty!

Hope to have that Halloween Hexie quilt top done for next week’s Quilty Thursday. Have a great weekend!