Check this out!
I picked up a hexagon frame at Dollar Tree, thinking maybe I could use it for a tray or something. I was imagining using a panel, a quilt block or an embroidered saying under the glass. And then it hit me! The frames are 9 inches and would be perfect for our Quilters Trek blocks!
Our pattern, like all Quilters Trek 2021 designs is comprised of four 9-inch blocks. The Calico Gals version, All Across This Land, was designed by Debra Gabel to represent scenes across America. It was fun to create our sample in appliqué, (Debra and I worked on it together in her studio), but why not use the pattern for embroidery?
I decided to use the built-in embroidery software in my Babylock Solaris. I sent the designs from an app on my phone to create the blocks that were stitched on the machine. Yes! You can do this! It's fun!
The embroidery idea would work well for hand embroidery too!
I decided to start with the Mountain block - it seemed the simplest - and I was pretty pleased with how it came out. It's difficult to tell in the photo, but I used different color thread for each part - blue for water, green for trees, etc.
Then I couldn't stop! I used an assortment of light batik backgrounds from Timeless Treasures and stitched out the Country, City and Beach blocks, adding pops of color as I went.
However.... I only had the one frame. A trip back to my local Dollar Tree and... oh no... they were out of hexi frames! Must be others had good ideas to use these guys!
Marcia, our store manager, to the rescue! She added the frames to her DT shopping list and had a successful hunt!



Next up... I want to try to stitch at least one of the blocks with light colored threads on a black background.... kinda like a chalkboard look. Jolene votes for the City block for this idea.
Receive a complimentary All Across This Land pattern when you visit Calico Gals in person through August 31. Or... order the kit online by clicking here.