Hexie Tote

I’ve been stitching hexies as we travel. Chris drives, I ration the snacks, and we listen to audio books while the dogs watch nap or look out the window. The rest of the time…I stitch. I have always loved handwork and keeping my hands busy has always been a way for me to enjoy a quiet moment, destress or simply pass the time. I started making hexies a few years ago. I don’t always have plan for what they will become, but that’s okay. I like the idea of having them on hand for when I get inspiration to make something with them. I realized I had lots of these crazy flowers that were super scrappy. I made them into a panel with the scrappy background hexies in between. I sewed the flowers into color rows, and then decided that there were enough to make a panel and two ends for a tote bag. I cut the shapes, layered them onto foam stabilizer and backing and quilted the whole thing using machine quilting in vertical rows. I cut the size pieces I needed for the tote bag, sewed them together, then just used the tiny check fabric to bind the seams. I purchased leather handles with pre-punched holes for stitching them to the tote. I have gotten so many comments on the tote every time I use it. It’s not perfect, or an expertly crafted bag, but it makes me smile and it reminds me of all the miles we have driven on our adventures.

I also stitched a few hexie flowers onto this pillow. I hand quilted it with perle cotton and it’s perfect for using while we travel. I like having a pillow in my lap while I stitch, it helps keep the needlework in the perfect position while I sew. It also comes in handy if I decide to take a nap! I am pretty sure I’m going to make quite a few more hexie projects, I have quite a few already stitched, now to just decide what to make with them next!

Enjoy every stitch! Diane