lots of corners
Do you remember how on a whim I started a new quilt project? I mentioned it in my -ing post that I wrote before I went to Kopenhagen.
Well, it is an addictive way to keep busy. I have been basting hexagons every day since my return and I am still loving it. I know glueing the fabric to the paper template would be far quicker but I very much love the gentle pace of hand basting. I enjoy the tiny resistance the needle meets before pushing through the card. I love folding in crisp corners with my left hand as I move around the hexagon, counterclockwise. It slows me right down, I have time to reflect on what makes my happy and what not so much. I enjoy listening to a story, or to a podcast or two or three while my hands are working steadily. It is almost hypnotic.
I can't tell you how happy my box full of rainbow coloured hexagons makes me. I struggle a bit with the meaning of life and all just now and having this rainbow of cheerfulness to look at goes a long way to brighten up the tedium.
So far, I have not explored the myriads of possibilities of arranging my little rainbows into patterns or random sequences of colour. I have no idea how each will fall into the right place, when the time is right and when I have enough for a quilt. I am thinking of creating some sort of design wall. I imagine a sheet onto which I can pin the finished hexagons. Maybe I'll blue tack them straight onto the single bare wall in my sewing room.
I have been counting the hexagons today, I have 375. Using a calculator I found online, I worked out that I need 677 hexies and 32 half hexies for a reasonably sized throw. I might make it longer and narrower and use it as a bedcover for our day bed, in which case I need 688 full hexies and 35 half hexies. There is not much between them and I'll decide nearer the time. The hexagons are not tiny as you can gather from the numbers but not huge either: each side measure 1.5 inches, 3 inches corner to corner.
I have bought three fat quarters for this masterpiece in the making because I wanted some brown tones in the finished quilt and I do not have a single piece of brown fabric. I remember buying a charm pack for my crazy quilt for the same reasons. I also have very little red fabric, but enough shades close to red to make me happy. This is my third quilt made from stash and there are at least four more quilts in my fat quarter boxes.... I'll end up having to make a quilt with my least favourite pieces of fabric at some point in the future. That, or give these away. What may be my least favourite may be someone else's most favourite.
I am looking forward to start the process of hand stitching the hexies together.
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P.S. I can also baste hexagons while moderating online evening tutorials, which sweetens up evening work. I have a lot of those tutorial in the next two weeks. Today, tomorrow, Wednesday, Friday, next Sunday and finally, Wednesday week. Forgive me for not keeping up with blogs during this time :-)
Amazing collection to get started with!! whatever you make is going to be gorgeous!! Love the Tulips! Take care and Happy Sewing from Iowa
ReplyDeleteWow what a riot of colour. My eyes were popping in a very good way. I am excited for you to see how your new quilt will turn out. Lovely flowers too xxx
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how lovely and therapeutic that basting must be. I find my endless circular sock rows rather like that too. No thought required allowing the mind to do its own thing. Hopefully not too stressful a week for you, at least it’s at home. Used to hate the nights I had to go out to do parent teacher counselling. Now far behind me thank goodness. Enjoy the colour. B x
ReplyDeleteYou have a delight collection of hexies and won't it be fun when you start putting them all together. I've been thinking about hexies lately and thinking that it they would be the perfect project to take in the camper this summer. I like having a project wherever I go and doing this does not require take a sewing machine. My husband has already started teasing me about sneaking my machine into the camper, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI would really like to try paper-piecing someday. I especially enjoy the look of hexes in quilting. Sometime I will share on my blog some hex quilts that were made by women in my husband's family sometime in the 1930's or 40's, I think. I don't use them, they're too beautiful, but I love them. I probably should just use them, though. You've done so well making all of these! Wow, I'm really impressed. I can't wait to see your quilt.
ReplyDeleteBravo, how industrious you are! I love the colors you've chosen. Isn't it neat to know you're creating a family heirloom? I'm going to put a few rows on my Woodland blanket today. I hope you have a fabulous week ahead. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colour choice and so neat. Do you cut your card yourself or buy them please?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tulips, they are one of my favorite flowers. I had purple and pink ones on the table last week. Your fabrics are so cheerful. I love that you enjoy the process and are in no hurry. Life is fast enough we need to slow down a bit. I am struggling a bit with all the work, work on weekends around the house and then back to work. I think doing homework with Little Buddy the last two mornings has not helped my perspective. Sending you a big hug.
ReplyDeleteThey do look great all lined up and organised in the box. I will look forward to seeing the quilt one day.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the flowers, beautiful. I love paper piecing, I make almost all my quilts that way. Just love the slow handstitching of it all and the pile of pieces waiting to be sewn together. I save all sorts of paper for the purpose. Big brown envelopes are best. Love the idea of blu-tacking the pieces to the wall. I usually do some complicated lettering/numbering thing on the back once I've laid it out. I shall look forward to seeing yours take shape. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteThat is an impressive bit of multi -tasking. I'm sure if I tried to moderate whilst basting something would end up in a right pickle. Having said that, you have the most orderly set of hexagons I have ever seen so I don't doubt your abilities! Can't wait to see the finished quilt it will be wonderfully colourful.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
Wren x
I may need to rethink my multitasking strategy... the wheeled chair rolled away from under my bottom when I tried to pick up needle and thread from the floor - without disturbing the headsets so I wouldn't miss my cue... I fell of course and hurt my wrist. I don't think it is broken but it is awfully sore and movement restricted.... glad I muted myself and turned the camera off as all our tutorials are recorded. Was caught out in pj bottoms before, that was bad enough :-)
DeleteHope there's no serious damage to your wrist? Thank heavens the camera and mic were off. I work from home a lot and have a post-it stuck over the camera just in case. No amount of coffee would prepare the viewer ;0)
DeleteWhat a lovely post, Christina. I haven't done any sewing in a while and you've made me itch to get back to it. That's such lovely evidence of calm industry in your fabric boxes, I think I would spend time just gazing at them all, smiling, if my fabric pile looked that ordered and wonderful! Good on you, girl xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully cheerful collection of colours you've put together with those hexagons. I have been clearing out cupboards and came across a bag of hexagons that I have basted onto card but they are so old I don't really like the colours any longer... they are very dated Laura Ashley fabrics. If I keep them another 25 years they might be back in fashion! Hope all the evening work goes well x
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are beautiful Christina, thank you for sharing your photo. Wow all those squares of pretty material, very rainbow like.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you're ok, your comment about struggling with the meaning of life - made me feel worried about you. Feel free to look at the link below - or not, it's up to you. Cx
https://www.lookingforgod.com/
Lovely flowers! And the colours of those hexes - looking forward to seeing what you come up with when the assembly starts. You're clearly in an industrious phase Christina! I love your honesty - so many people distract themselves or hide from the big questions so good for you - that's a journey I'd love to hear more about!
ReplyDeleteI love the rhythm of hand sewing and the beauty of the rainbow of colours. I am looking forward to seeing them all together.
ReplyDeleteHey Christina,
ReplyDeleteAll those beautifully cut and stitched pieces of fabric just about blows my mind. This is a relaxing pursuit? I'd be forever stabbing myself with the needle, or holding it up to the light while my poor eyes tried to focus.
You are so, so clever. I an in awe.
Leanne xx
I am in awe at all those pieces of paper basted onto fabric! And to think, you're over half way there! Quilting isn't my favourite craft, simply because it requires precision and dexterity (which I don't have) but I think it's one of my favourite if-only crafts (as in, if only I could be as patient, I'd quilt!)
ReplyDeleteThose photos are amazing! I absolutely love the colours you’ve chosen for the hexagons. This quilt is going to be stunning
ReplyDeleteWho wouldn't feel more cheerful looking at that collection of colors, Christina. I am alas not a quilter or even someone who sews, except for minor repairs. That said, I do admire those talents in others. Looking forward to seeing some of these corners in future creations. The tulips are a bit of spring color and we certainly could use some here after a day of rain.
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