Happy Flag Day {Quilted Pillows Covers}

 "The flag is not just one of many political points of view. Rather, the flag is a symbol of our national unity" ~Adrian Cronauer

I love to start decorating with my red, white and blue decorations and quilts at Memorial Day, but this year we had graduation, so I decided Flag Day would be my jump point this year.

My goal for awhile is to make pillows for our front porch and felt a simple flag block like the New Old Glory Pillows I made previously would work great.

The pillows are made of entirely scraps and stash. 

Some denim from my stash for the backside with a simple invisible zipper.  

Quilt Pillow Stats:

Measures:  16x24"

Pattern:  Adapted from several. An easy one by Diary of a Quilter here

Fabric: Various cotton scraps and heavy denim

Quilted: Diagonal crosshatch on domestic Babylock Symphony

I definitely think they pack a punch from a distance. 

New Old Glory {Quilted Pillows}

"....with liberty and justice for all."

I am so delighted with these pillow covers!

And better yet?  I love this time of the year because I can put my patriotic decorations up from Memorial Day through the Fourth of the July...and there is Flag Day in between!

I did not use a pattern for these, but will admit I was inspired by the many flag blocks I've seen from Thimbleblossoms Stars and Stripes pattern.  Mine is based on the size of my pillow inserts.  I used the dimensions to be able to fit four red stripes, 3 white, a rectangle of aqua, and a border for them to stand out. 

I know, I know...the "star" rectangle is supposed to be blue.  But sometimes I feel like a quilter can take a little artistic license and bend the rules. 

I had fun doing the crosshatch quilting.  

And I'm so happy with my plan to use linen for both the background and the binding.

For the pillow backs, I made hidden zippers again.  There are some dark chocolate zippers under that flap, and no one needs to know!  And in accordance with my Sew My Stash goal, I used some duck canvas in a coordinating color I had hanging around.

Quilt Pillow Stats:

Measure: 13" x 20"

Pattern: Inspired by Thimbleblossoms Stars and Stripes pattern

Fabric: Scraps of red and aqua, Kona Snow, Robert Kaufman Linen in Natural, and Joann's Duck Canvas

Quilted: Crosshatch quilting on Babylock Symphony

There are some more patriotic pillow covers in the works....stay tuned!!

Stars and Stripes Quilt

"Ohhhh....say can you see....."

 In unison ".....by the dawn's early light..."

Yes. No need to ask.  I love this quilt!

  I bought the Hexa go-go book last year and I cannot express my love enough for this book and quilt. It turned out to be better than I imagined!

------------------------------

I started prepping my hexies at the end of December and had them all finished by the end of January.

The next months consisted of laying out

and hand piecing the blue section and rows together. 

I decided to cut out all fifty stars and raw applique them. I had attempted a few hand embroidered stars but didn't like the direction they were going. 

It was at this point when I appliqued the hexie rows on the backgrounds, that my plans for a Fourth of July throw changed a significant direction.  What I imagined to be a large throw became more.

 It was then, that my darling husband suggested that I hang it in the newly painted/rearranged game room. The boys have sports pennants, posters, and paraphernalia galore in the room.
 Doesn't a flag seem fitting? The one thing ALL the sports have in common?

When I had the "throw" mindset, I was going to skip the pieced borders.

I am SO glad I didn't. 

Love all my neutral "black and white" bits!  Memoirs fabric scraps?  Can I have more please?

I love this bit with the word ducklings, because I have always called my boys ducklings when we go out en mass to the store or zoo.  "Make way for ducklings!" 

The tiny blue paisley border?  A nod to our new home, Texas.


 -------------------------------

The quilting. 


I originally thought I would quilt like the book. However, when I loaded it on my machine?
 It begged me to get a little daring. 

A wonky pattern back and forth frames the pebbled and curved frames for the wonky "bow tie" blocks.

A looped-y-loop pattern along the rows.

With reversed curves on the hexies themselves.

A reverse curved pattern around the stars.

Which resembles flowers on the back.

Meandering in blue variegated.   And yes.  That white in the middle does look a little "yellow".
 I ran out of Kona White scraps and popped a few Kona Snow hexies about!  I really like it!

The backing seems to have a way to enhance and hide the quilting on the back.
It's a cool French script by Tim Holtz.

It evokes thoughts of my favorite mini series, John Adams. He wrote his lovely Abigail frequently from Paris. Maybe in French?  If not, they were allies right?

And the binding.  I have had this red ticking in my stash and had just enough for this quilt.
 I liked that it was soft and didn't detract from the quilt itself.

I know I'm no Betsy Ross, but I am so happy to be able to have this hanging in my home, as soon as I get the sleeves in the next few days. I need hubby's help to hang it this weekend. It is QUITE heavy!

Oh, and other than the backing?
ALL SCRAPS and STASH I ALREADY HAD!!!!!!

"....and the la-a-nd of the free........"

God bless America!

(Had to share the blowing in the wind shot. I can't help myself!!)

Linking up to Bloggers Quilt Festival
(Category Wall Hanging) Entry #73
Voting begins today!

Quilt Stats:
Measures 102" x 70"
Pattern: Stars and Stripes from Hexa go-go book
Fabrics:  Scraps, Kona White, Kona Snow, Kona Red
Pieced by:  Heidi Grohs @ Buttons and Butterflies
Quilted by: Heidi Grohs on Avante HQ 18" Longarm Machine

Thanks for stopping by, stick around. I have more quilts to come.
 Christmas is arriving and my WIP list is quite long!

****EDITED TO ADD:  

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT'S FINAL SPOT IN OUR HOUSE, YOU CAN SEE IT ON THIS POST.****