Lake Effect - Making Progress

Perhaps all quilters do this: the avoidance method of problem solving. After 45+/- years of quilting, I have perfected this method.

When I run into a quilting dilemma, I just STOP working on the quilt. I have had ages-old UFOs merely because of some glitch I wasn't prepared to encounter. After a modest amount of time spent stewing over it, I pop in into a tub or bin and whisk it out of sight. 

Eventually, the problematic quilt no longer seems quite as daunting a situation as I'd thought, so I revisit, and - hopefully! - finish the quilt.

This accounts for the lengthy time-out I've taken on Lake Effect. That snafu with the incorrect hexies really twisted me in knots, so I avoided altogether.

I finished adding rows around the center medallion and decided it needed to be laid out on the floor for a complete, full-on assessment of progress. 

It looks as though I am going to need further hexies, wouldn't you say? 

Or, I suppose an alternate option is use narrower borders. Then, rather than make more hexies, I would remove hexies from one area and reattach where needed. 

And the hexie situation is just one dilemma I am working out. The other dilemma - and it seems like a biggie, but maybe it isn't - is getting that outer applique border lined up so that the vines meet on all the corners.

Fortunately, I am not feeling the need to put this in hiding again. I will continue to address this quilt's issues and make attempts at systematically working through them. 

My plan at present: work from the center out. The next step is to trim and press seam allowances on the applique borders and begin stitching them to the inner section. When I come to corners, I will fiddle around with matching vines, leaves and berries as best I can. Then when the outer borders are completed to my satisfaction, I will move on to dealing with the outer hexies.

The quilt pattern calls for this quilt to finish at 66.5" x 73.5" - I don't have to follow that, though, right?

Happy Quilting, Friends!