Every once in a while those dillydally winds blow me into unknown territory ... and I really feel the need to try something new! You know ... sail in some uncharted waters! Long time readers know that when Bonnie Hunter visited my remote corner of the planet (omgosh ... it will be 5 years ago in September)
she shared her hexie project at the time! We were so inspired and then
she demonstrated her techniques ... some QBees took off with it and have made lovely items!
I, on the other hand, plodded along ... and began making scrappy flowers with yellow centers. I find English Paper Piecing relaxing and it is an easy thing to pack. I just began making them with no project in mind a few years ago.
I have about 35 flowers pieced, and recently had the urge to make something with a few of them. One thing that has always intrigued me about antique flower garden quilts is how that finished hexagon edge is achieved. Yep ... there was that dillydally wind ... blowing me off on a new journey! A small table mat seemed like a manageable way to give it a try. Piecing seven flowers together was easy.
I pin basted the layers ...
... and Her Majesty made light work of the quilting. Then I spent time on the computer seeking techniques for finishing ... there are many approaches ... I ended up choosing a combination of methods.
Eventually, I filled my sails with courage and charged forward. I trimmed the backing ... very carefully!
My cheer squad was standing by ... love their encouragement! ;-)
Next ... piecing together the hexagons for the edge.
My ever present helper was always near.
Whew! Finally they were all sewn to the front ... a quick plea to the quilting gods ...
... and I began turning them rightsize out ...
... yep, it worked! A lot a celebration ensued!
The last step? Tacked them down on the back ... and this hexie project was finished! Mission successfully accomplished! Although this is a small and modest hexie project ... I love the results!
I was so excited about my finish ... quickly decided I needed more hexies, in a brighter palette!
Before long I had prepared quite a few ...
... apparently they needed to be reorganized! My very silly supervisor!
I've been playing around with some layout possibilities ...
... we'll see what happens. What hexie adventure will the winds take me on next? Who knows ... I'm just enjoying the journey!
Do what you love. Enjoy the journey. Do dillydally!
Mrs. DillyDally
I would like to learn how to make these. Love your finished project. You have the best helpers!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy! Check out the link to Bonnie Hunter's Hexie Tutorial ... should be a great help! Of course, I could do a quick demo for you on my next visit to Minnesota! You are on my list ... how I look forward to the opportunity to meet you!
DeleteLove your hexie project-it's beautiful-and we liked your step-by-step explanation of what you did. However, we are mystified by the hexies you sewed to the edge and then turned to the back. It seems like doing that would have added an extra layer of "bulk"...we're not sure what your intention was...when you talked about "how to finish" the project, we assumed you meant you were adding those to square off the edges. Obviously, we're missing something here
ReplyDeleteTIA for helping us understand :),
Margaret
Hi Margaret! The hexies on the back do add a bit of extra bulk, but all the quilting was done prior so that there was no real impact. Here is the tutorial I used as a spring board to achieve the results I wanted. http://badskirt.blogspot.com/2010/05/tutorial-finishing-you-hexie-quilts.html
DeleteGood luck and have fun!