A Giant Hexagon Top

Ever so slowly I am making my way through the stack of unfinished projects in the studio. I like having multiple things on the go, it means I can do whatever, whenever, the mood strikes. And that's what happened when I decided to get these old bee blocks out of the back of the closet. I'd put them up on the wall months ago, got excited, then never did anything.

In part, I needed to find, then order the extra fabric I wanted to finish it off. Initially I thought I would use a mix of whites to fill in the blank hexagons. But of the fabrics I purchased to do just this one was a woven hexagon pattern. Frankly, it was pretty awesome, so I decided to use only that fabric. Could I find more locally? No, of course not. Was there info on the selvage? Nope.

Thanks to Instagram, however, and online sales I found more of the fabric.  (It is Kona Dimensions, in case you were wondering.)

Unfortunately, as you may be aware, when your fabric comes from different bolts the same colour isn't always the same colour. I ordered white, but they aren't exactly the same. I suspect that the first one I bought was actually Prepared For Dying White. So I sat on it until I could decide what to do.

In the end, I decided I didn't care for the small variation in whites. In fact, I would embrace it and mix things up. It isn't a look that everyone will like, but that's okay. Not everyone will be staying on my guest bed in my sewing studio - where this quilt is destined to be placed.

The original blocks came from my Unscripted Bee. Blocks I got two years ago.  I made a handful more, completely improvised, hexagons using the same template. Then I cut white hexagons and half hexagons. The whole thing kept falling off the design wall and overflowed on to the floor. While I had it up on the design wall we got a dog. A big, black dog. He was banned from the studio until I got this quilt top done. Talk about extra motivation to get it together!

The entire quilt top is machine pieced. Machine piecing hexagons is not difficult. There are tutorials out there and I looked at them all. In the end, I took advice from Rossie. She does not have a tutorial on her blog, but I conveniently had access to an upcoming pattern of hers in a special project. I promise it will break the process down so nicely. (And I will let you know when that project comes out, have no doubt about that!)

Also, I promise that the quilt top lies flat and was pressed at one point. Let's just say I had some frustrations in trying to photograph it.

Now I just need to figure out how to quilt it. I'm open to suggestions.

Giant Hexagons Update

In need of some mindless sewing and a real break from work - yes, even I go to quilting when I need a break from the work of quilting - I pulled out these old blocks. With a million (or 40) WIPs sitting in my sewing room it only made sense to grab one of those projects instead of starting something new. I'd always had it in my head to add a coral block to these giant hexagons so I went ahead and did it. Then I added that low volume grey, and a yellow one. 

You can see more of these in my interview with Alex Anderson.

When it came time to playing with layouts I tried something new. There is a lot of bias in these blocks and I didn't want to handle them that much. Plus, as you can see, there is also some other work on my design wall that a certain five year old is not ready to remove. Needless to say, I was quite excited to find some hexagon graph paper!

The internet is a wonderful thing. Sure you can make it yourself, but the chances are someone has probably already done it for you. That was the case when I typed in a few choice words into the search engine the other night. And up pops a PDF of graph paper that is exactly what I need. A little more digging and there are sites where you can create and print your own graph paper in many shapes and sizes. It is a quilter with a penchant for colouring's dream!

http://www.freeprintableonline.com/categories/graphs
http://www.printablepaper.net

Have fun!

Now, I'm only waiting for the rest of my perfect background fabric for these to arrive. Then I can add this to the pile of quilt tops ready for attention.

Good Times with Alex Anderson

Last week I had the pleasure of chatting with Alex Anderson about my books, quilts, non-obligation sewing and finding the pleasure in quilting and the craziness of life. This first bit includes a lot about how I like to slow down and sew, and how you can too. Not to mention some gorgeousness and advice from the book.

Check it out here! And stay tuned for the second part.

Friday Favourite - Coral

Somewhere between pink and orange lies the color coral. Sometimes bright, reminiscent of the dream coral of the ocean. Sometimes soft and not quite peachy. Whatever you do, don't call it salmon.

I'm on a coral kick lately - picking, gathering, and hoarding my new love. From light to dark, soft to bright, coral makes my heart sing. Dreams of swimming in the sunshine of the sea carry forward. Blooms that capture the central part of the sun's rays. Or just the tempting blush of a smile.

Coral.

(Don't be surprised if you see some coral added to these blocks.)

Giant Hexies

In looking at my inventory a few weeks ago I realized there are projects there I haven't shared. And some I never shared progress for. I must rectify that, starting today.

These are my bee blocks from the Unscripted Bee. It is a group of Canadian ladies with a love for all things improv and modern.

I asked for giant, giant hexagon blocks. Each friend was sent a a stack of fabrics and a template for the hexagon. It was up to them how they would actually put the block together. They all finish at 16.5'' across, on the flat sides. And, as you can see, they got very creative in how they did it. So much fun!

There are two outstanding blocks, plus my own to make. I do want to make it with straight edges so then I need to finish off with all the outside pieces. Now that I have these out I want to play!

Empire Strikes Again

My Dining Room Empire strikes again.

Lest you think all is pretty and creative in my world, let me set the record straight. That is a piece of batting wrapped around our artwork. I've pushed the table to the side, therefore constantly hitting my head on the ugly light fixture. The table is covered with: quilt blocks, a craft kit, computer, mailing information for the bee blocks below, placemats and napkins for dinner, morning tea, my blood pressure monitor, some paperwork of Hubby's, books of the girls, and some very pretty freesias.

And here are the bee blocks I worked on that day:

Improv curves for Christine, inspired by Malka.

Some anything goes blocks for Valerie. I was on a curve role so I tried my hand at these.

Embracing improv in all forms here.

More Catch-up

I told you I was in a finishing mood... Time to get some overdue bee blocks out and tackle new ones as soon as they come in.

This is the Lucienne Day inspired block for the last round of my Mid Mod Bee. I can't wait to see what Yahaira does with her blocks.

This summer saw a new bee start for me. An all Canadian, all Improv group called Unscripted. It's nice to save on postage and see such vibrancy in Canada too.

The first block has this dreamy colour combo and takes its inspiration right from Block Party. Donna over at Kindred Crafters had us make this block for her.

The second month belonged to Holly. She was greatly inspired by Elizabeth Fransson's Put a Bird on It Quilt. Having never worked with Echino myself, this was a fun little challenge. And I must say, I can see how the colour becomes addictive.

One of the best parts about working on a Canadian bee? I can write colour and favourite and no one says anything funny!