Scapegoat

It's all Julie's fault. Yep. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. This pillow is what really started it all. Did you see who made it? Yep. Julie. That's why it's her fault.  (Mind you, this is totally not a bad thing!) I had originally commented asking her if she was going to post the pattern in her Etsy shop and being so busy, she said that she would, eventually. Of course I didn't expect her to stop everything to write up a pattern and post it so the more I examined the pillow, the more I adored it, picked it apart and realized I could probably figure it out on my own. Or at least something similar. 

It started a little like this...well, exactly like this actually. I got out my compass to create a hexagon so I could make my own template. (This was before I realized they made rulers for this. Doh!) 

Once I had the triangle drawn, I traced it, added quarter inch to each side for seam allowances and I was all set. I wanted three fabrics in my hex but I did NOT want to paper piece. I say bad words when I have to do that...lol. So I cut 1 1/2 inch strips and sewed them together. From there, I cut my triangles. In doing it this way, I was able to make two hexagons that were reverse of each other because you had to turn your template/ruler to make each cut. Clear as mud, right? Check out the finished product below and you will see what I mean. :)

When I was making these, I had no idea what I was going to do with them. I knew I wanted to make more but then found out that Julie was actually going to host a hexagon quilt a long (I literally jumped up and down at the mention of this. Yes. Yes I did...lol) so I didn't want to make a quilt with them. Then it hit me to put them in a pillow. 

Now mind you, there was NO planning for this thing. It was totally off the cuff and design as I went along. This was good and bad but I learned from it. I learned that there were much easier ways to join the hexes. Like leaving them in halves to sew them in rows. But I got around that. I can say the size changed about 3 times because towards the end, apparently I got dumb in the math department. We got through it though.

Once I was happy with it, It was time to quilt it. This is not my strong point in quilting but I am getting better, stretching beyond my comfort zone. I decided to straight line quilt this.  (ok ok, I know not all my lines are straight. Shhh..don't tell anyone!) The lines are spaced about 1/2 inch apart  (sort of..lol) and I decided on this mostly so I could practice and to see if I would like it. Oh man, do I ever love it!! It does take longer, but the results are so worth it. I will definitely try this on a larger quilt! 

Oh, I suppose you want to see it? Well, ok... :)

Here it is, pieced and quilted and ready to trim to add the backing envelope. 

Here it is completed. It ended up being 18" square. 

Here she is with the pinwheel pillow. Don't they look cute together? :)

What do you think? I love my new pillow. I have a feeling my house will be overflowing with pillows this year. They are so fun to make. Plus they are fairly quick so you get that "completed project satisfaction" feeling! I urge you to try one yourself!! :)

Much Love!!!