the devil is in the details ...

After telling you about my summer project a few weeks ago, I got to wondering just exactly how many 1/2" hexagons I would need for a 90" x 100" quilt.

 

The answer to that question is 11,550.

ELEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY?!

Paper bag ... deep breaths ... head between knees ... a little chocolate ...

... a little more chocolate ...

Oh boy.

My record number of pieces in a quilt is over 8,000.  But that one was all machine pieced.  And it still took me 9 months.

Hmmm.

But what if I look at this hexagon quilt as only 462 diamonds ... that doesn't sound quite as bad, does it?

Ok.  Yes it does.  If I want to finish in a year, I'd need to make 9 diamonds every week.  That is seriously hard core.

I just checked my yardage and I think I might have enough of the pink dot for all my diamond centers to be the same ... it'll be close.

And I'd need to buy another 10 yards of Kona White.

Wow.  That's a lot.

Hmmm.  I don't know ...

What if I lower my ambitions from a huge quilt to a generous throw, like maybe 60" x 70"? 

That size would only need 5,879 hexagons or 224 diamonds ... less than half the requirements of a big quilt.  And it works out to a diamond a day for about 8 months.

Hmmm. 

One a day is still a pretty rigorous schedule - I timed myself and it takes me just over one hour to make a diamond - not including cutting or basting, that's just the sewing time.

Maybe I should give myself a little slack and say 5 diamonds/week. 

I know there will be days I make more, and others I don't make any.  That'll end up with a finish in 45 weeks.

Sounds much more manageable.  I think I can handle that.

Ok.  So let it be written, so let it be done!  I am setting a goal to finish this diamond hexagon quilt in 12 months. 

Starting today ... which gives me a 26 diamond head start. ;)

Comments

[greenrabbitdesigns]

And did work out how much chocolate it will take??? ;)
V x

[Paula K]

No matter how badly my day is going, I can read your blog and it instantly puts a smile on my face. You rock!

[paula]

I find myself doing this on projects sometimes (not just sewing/quilting). Once I reach that first goal, I can sometimes feel good about extending it. Such as, once you reach your goal for enough diamonds for your lap throw ... calculate how many more it would take for just "one more row" .... etc.

Heck, I'm in awe of your current 26 diamonds! Beautiful work!

[Olivia Marion]

Oh my that's a lot! I cant even imagine trying to do that! Good luck!

[Jane Cisneros]

Wow, I had to eat a bunch of chocolate just reading this. Very ambitious but it will be amazing ... good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

[A Little Blue Dragonfly]

O.M.G. I don't think there's enough chocolate in the world to get me through 11,000 hexies. You so totally rock!

[Andrea]

Good-ness! It would be one amazing quilt though!

[Jan O]

So pretty! and very ambitious - good luck! I hope you continue to enjoy working on it. It'll be lovely when it's finished.

[kim]

oh my, these are gorgeous!! I may have to change my hexies from flowers to diamonds,,,,decisions,,,decisions!!!! Stay clam and keep stitching, you are doing great so far!

[Esther F.]

LOL, not enough chocolate in the world, little blue dragonfly!!! Not possible!
I do think this project is an " insane" one! I admire your goal and willkeep up with your posts about this beauty!
Esther

[Celia]

These are so pretty and I love the colors. I don't have the patience to do this, but your project is very inspiring. That is really small for a finished size hexie. You are amazing!

[Hildy]

Gosh, now I know the reason why exactly I won't ever made a big EPP quilt. But hey, you can do this ... and if in about half a year you decide enough is enough i'll forgive you because honestly I would be done already. And if you need me to send you some swiis chocolat just tell;-)

[Julie Hirt]

INSANE! Totally gorgeous and it's going to rock, but insane.

[pam]

WOw they're lovely. I don't have the attention span for sure but I wish I did because OMG so pretty. Of course I love everything you do. xo

[Renee]

I'm probably the only one who will tell you to make the big quilt. What you have done so far is stunning! To make the large version will be work, but every quilt I've loved the most has been the one that had the most pieces and took me the longest. Your quilt will be treasured for generations. You can do it!

[Stephanie]

You can do it! After seeing your inspiration photo I instantly loved this quilt! All that hard work is worth it for a quilt you have been eyeing for so long!

Good luck!

[Jennifer]

I won't give advice, just a prediction that you will end up making the larger quilt. You will keep imagining it on a bed somewhere - maybe yours, maybe someone else special - and you'll keep it going. Those are beautiful and perfect diamonds - that is going to be a HEAVY blanket regardless, with all those seams - yes? Can't wait to follow you through on this one!

[Four Little Munchkins (Deborah)]

I'm sitting in stunned silence. Eleven thousand and.... whoa. Just whoa. I would have let it go right there. So impressed that you're taking this on (smaller version or not). Go girl!

[Anne Beier]

Hi Krystyne,
I am certain you can do this. You are a very inspiring blogger, and an amazing sewer. My world is really busy, but I hand quilted a king-sized quilt. You can do this, and you will feel so proud when you finish. I can't wait to see it. Good luck!!

Anne

[Tora]

Absolutely stunning!

[Margaret Parks]

Dear Krystyne,

I am soo impressed!
I love your diamonds and the choice of fabrics.
I have no doubt that you can reach your goal!
I'll be here in the cheering section!
You are my inspiration.
cheers
maggie

maggiemine42@gmail.com

[Bernie]

You are out of your mind....and I say that with great affection. I once hand quilted an "almost" queen size grandmothers flower garden that I inherited (unquilted top). I absolutely refused to count the number of blocks until AFTER I was done. Godd thing, or I never would have started!

[Dana]

Well it will be STUNNING no matter the size! But I was hyper-ventilating right along with you there for a minute! *pass the chocolate!* Ok...could be worth it if there's the promise of chocolate *grin*

[Delcia Rosenow]

The half inchers are so cute--I'd love to do a small one for a doll quilt AS SOON AS...insert a few dozen other projects. I love your "head start" diamonds--that means you can be ahead during the whole project--unless . . . The white sets all those lovely prints off so nicely!

I'm still a thread basting hexie maker, but I would definitely glue baste those little ones. Thanks for the tip in a previous posting.

[Janice]

Ok crazy lady, go for it. I will be looking forward to seeing it next year.

[Carina]

Hats of to you. I am sure you will complete this ahead of time. Can't wait to see. Best wishes, Carina [sending you e-chocolate]

[Bonnie Nyquist]

This is precious, every single one so well thought out, just amazing,and I have no doubt you will finish this! Does the size really matter at this point? I cannot picture how this will be quilted!!! Stitch in the Ditch maybe? It will be an heirloom! Keep going!!! It is beyond beautiful!

[Carolyn]

You are a nut!...not a nut case...you've simply over thought this and consequently given yourself an anxiety attack! You can do this...in whatever time frame it takes! Your work is gorgeous...

[Pam in IL]

Oh wow! All that figuring overwhelms me. You are such an inspiration!! I'll be cheering you on!

[Joni]

OMG sometimes it is better to just keep plodding away, I have been working on a similar quilt and I have not thought about how much time it would take. Hahahaha! It is just something I do at night on the couch. But I usually only get about 25 Hexies done a night and at most 5 nights a week. OMG this will take forever! I am sure u will finish first, good luck, please post your progress each month. I love your colors and diamond pattern!!

[Eva]

You are Brave !! Wow ! so many hexagons !!
It will be a gorgeous quilt by the look of it !!

Go for it !! and the chocolate too !!

xEva

[Ewa]

Good luck with your project! You are so ambitious, I'm sure you will make it! And don't forget about the chocolate :) Love, Ewa.

[Beverley]

Beautiful hexies. Why do it so fast? I know when I've finished an embroidery that has taken a couple of years, I have missed it. You could just keep doing a few diamonds a week, and when it's done , it's done.
However you do it, I am sure it will be very pretty.
Bev on Britain.

[Diane Kelsey]

Even making the smaller version is a hugh task. If it takes slightly longer, it will be worth the effort and the quilt is bound to be stunning. I'm just basting some 1/2" hexagons at the moment for a mystery Button BOM with Lynette Anderson.

[Kylie (Three Honeybees)]

The way I deal with this is to completely avoid the details. I just merrily sew my hexies with the plan of stopping when it seems big enough. The only time I'm going to count how many hexies I've cut, basted, stitched, how many stitches it took, how many hours, is when the whole thing is COMPLETELY FINISHED! That way I figure it will be something that makes me feel proud rather than making me hyperventilate! I'm full of admiration for you on this one and for your past hexie quilt record. I'm not sure that I'll be making more than one in my life !
It's going to be an amazing work of art whatever size it ends up. I look forward to watching it grow :)

[Susan]

Should have NEVER done the math on this one!!!!!! It is by far such a gorgeous project that math should have never entered your mind, what were you thinking???? Now, playing the hexie game and loving it, if I started counting, then I would have never started in the beginning and now I am going to have to go back and start adding up!! Thank you very much for such an enlightening math project for the day, Okay, now I will be supportive, think of it this way, some days you will get loads of hexies finished, and some days NOT, so don't think of math and just move along like you never, ever touched the calculator and then see how you feel and when you want to stop!!!! There, my point of view added to the rest of such supportive comments!!!!! Susan

[Rachel]

You're great!!!

[Rachel]

One idea... we could all do a diamond for you... many hands make light work...

[rosa]

Absolutely awesome.Go you can,best later than never and take it easy!!

[Karen @ Pieces of Contentment]

Love your sense of humour.....you could always sew until you've had enough and just finish it to that size. This way you re focusing on the journey, not racing to the end.....

[Jessie @ MessyJesse]

Wow Krystyne! Your hexies are BE-AUT-IFUL!! so crisp, keep up the good work ;) hoping to complete my pp diamonds at some point in the future? too! :)
p.s. Thanks for stopping by my blog recently, you're so sweet! I wish I could reply to your lovely comments but unfortunately you're account has no email address attached to it.

Best wishes, Jessie xo

[Lana]

At least that's not as bad as the 1/4" hexagons. It is going to be beautiful, and very tempting to start one as well.

[Jan S]

This is going to be a beautiful quilt no matter what size you make it...but I've been wondering... Picture the diamonds all put together... now do you have to have 2 rows of the white hexagons between each colored section or could you go with one white row? That would signicantly reduce the amount of white hexagons necessary, and you could have more color.

Just a thought. It's your quilt and your vision, so please do what makes you happy.

[Cassie]

I so enjoy reading your posts and the replies of your "groupies" (of course, me proudly being one of them! :) I also had to start eating chocolate at just the thought of all those hexies, but then all the funny posts I read had me laughing like I'd drank a couple glasses of wine and it's only 9:30 in the morning! Thanks for such a fun start to the day. I'm inspired and off to my sewing room :) Happy day to all!

[Kathleen O'Grady]

Your hexagon diamonds are BEAUTIFUL and the quilt is going to be BREATHTAKING for sure, no matter what the size is. Oh my, all the stitching that you have done and all the stitching you have to do, you-go-girl! I can't wait to see more pics. You inspire me.

[tammy]

You really need to look at Inklingo. No papers, no basting, sewing lines and cutting lines printed for you already.

http://www.inklingo.com/shop/hexagons/5/product/60hexagon-1-inch-/49

and yes you can use it with the ones that you have papers in already.

[Cathi]

Tammy is right. Inklingo makes stitching a hexagon quilt an absolute delight and so quick. A simple running stitch, perfect stitching lines and matching points and the bonus is that pressing them is so, so easy! And you can use Inklingo hexagons printed on the back of your fabrics with those you've already done using EPP.
The .50" hexagons can be found here: http://inklingo.com/shop/hexagons/5/product/60hexagon-05-inch-/15
And there are many, many other sizes of hexagons.

[Jennifer B]

oh my....admirable!!

[Karen]

how beautiful. I am making hexie quilt almost the same except mine is 1 inch hexies and more of a civil war type fabric with white to join - I was just planning on one row of white in between but if I did like you it would be done faster I think - beautiful.

[Melodee]

I happened to be in my LQS when the owner was showing a vintage quilt she bought, made exactly like yours, she said that she bought it because she would never make one. I fell in love with it, and now I see you are making one, I feel it's in my stars to make one. My little quilt group thinks I am nuts, I had considered using 1" hexies, but I don't think it would look as nice. So, I plan to cut the pieces, put everything I need in a neat box so whenever I get time to work on it, everything is together, I don't have to waste time collecting before I can start. Wish me luck, I look forward to seeing your progress.