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

[Debbie R.]

Maybe you shouldn't have done the math. The big quilt would be so amazing, especially with your great sense of colour and your beautiful workmanship. And you would get it done ... eventually. Your solution — to make a somewhat smaller quilt — is a good one, though. And a year is a long time to spend -- certainly you've got me re-thinking a start on a hexie quilt any time soon. I guess when you get that far you can see how you feel. Enough! Or maybe, MORE! Whatever size it grows to be, it will be stunning. And we will all enjoying seeing and hearing about your progress!

[Bari Jo]

Wow! The math.... breathe in... breathe out... if anyone can do it YOU can! (and 8000 pieces in a quilt? That took 9 mos? Would love to see that, to!) You are going to have a beautiful quilt! Love the pencil case, too! (our internet has been down and I've been going through some serious withdrawals!)

[Archiethewonderdog]

Okay, you've got me wanting to make another hexy quilt...maybe slightly larger hexies, though!

[Barbara]

Your quilts are beautiful. Have you ever heard of Linklingo, I'm new at hexes and found this to be the best and fastest way to go. You might like to try it.