Hexagons
I haven't posted much lately - been a bit slack. But I 'have' been sewing hexagons. I have been glued to the TV the last few days watching Australia THRASH the Poms in the 2nd match of the Ashes Series (that's the cricket for those who don't know). So I have managed a few hexagons while on the couch. I have about 6 or 7 big groups sewn together, but they are all uneven around the edges, so I have been trying to square them up for joining together. Probably next time I will make more of an effort to keep them organised as I go. Anyway, this is a photo I just took (had to use the flash) of the groups layed out on the table. The table is 35 inches wide, and the hexagons stretch 60 inches up the table.
I started sewing the hexagons with no real plan, or even confidence that I would get the bug, so now I have to decide where to go from here. Maybe make a square quilt that would just sit on top of a queen sized bed. Or maybe just make a quilt with no intention to use it for anything in particular?
The other thing is borders - originally I thought about a plain straight border, but now I am thinking a dark one colour hexagon border with a single different colour hexagon evenly placed (separated by a hexagon of the dark colour) in the centre of the border. Does that make sense? It would look like a coloured spot border all the way around in the centre of the dark border. But then how long would this take? Long long time. Hmmm. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I feel like I have to stop trying to make huge quilts all the time (or aiming to make huge quilts). This is why I don't get much finished, then feel like I am not accomplishing anything much.
I might go back downstairs and rearrange them to make something more square, then rethink the idea. I would have to buy more fabric from the States to have enough of one colour for the border, as all the fabrics are 1800s repros, and I wouldn't be able to afford the fabric if I bought it here. It would probably take a long time to arrive at this time of the year. Or I could make a border of random fabrics, but making them all dark fabrics...
As for everything else, I am a bit stalled. I have been toying with the idea of making a quilt for each of my 4 nieces and nephew for their birthdays in 2007. The only problem is that Alex will be 14 in the first week in January. I know what I would make for her if I decide to go for it, but this is probably a silly thing to start now. I could probably make the top pretty quickly, but then I would have to quilt it, which would be the problem. The thing is I have to decide pretty quickly as I would need to buy the sashing fabric tomorrow. Decisions decisions!
Jenni, I read your goal of getting 100s and 1000s of different fabric, and then looked at the photo of the hexagons, and it certainly looks like you have accomplished that goal! This is a beautiful quilt and I am sure it will turn out great no matter how you border it. I think having a dark border, or a dark border with a single color running through it sounds like a great idea. It will tie everything together.
ReplyDeleteDon't worrry about how much you are accomplishing. A big quilt takes more time, but it is more usable in the end, and you have a masterpiece to show for it when you are done. I have the opposite problem - I make small quilts, and wish I could slow down enough to make the big ones.
Birthdays - I decided to make a quilt for each of my family members too, but instead of doing it just on birthdays, I gave it to them on the next gift-giving occasion. So instead of starting with the January b-day with the next one. You can fit the January b-day for some other holiday or even next January. I took more than one year to do this, so people have no idea who is next and when they are going to get theirs. Less pressure on me that way.
Love the hexagons. They look amazing and I think a square quilt (I was about to say to drape over the couch and then I remembered what the weather is like where you live *vbs*) would look divine.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think it's NEVER a mistake to buy more fabric... I love the look if the hexagons, but then I love those mellow-looking repro fabrics. It's a long-term project, of course, but think of how gorgeous it will be.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, hexagons. Such a delightful way to stitch an afternoon away. You really have been working diligently to have such a large piece. It's just beautiful. I think I would wait on the border decision until you are where you want to be with the hexagons. You never know what it might say to you then. It is a long term project, to be sure, but it will be well worth it when it's done.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure your hexagon quilt even needs a border. It looks pretty good the way it is on the table. I guess it depends a bit on what you are going to do with it. What about a table topper?
ReplyDeleteI have made so many hex quilts it is verging on crazyness. I very much think hexagons are addicting. Just don't let them get to small I made one with hex's pnly 1/4 inch on a side over 5500 pieces in that quilt and it only covers a doll bed. Let me take that back I am crazy. Yours is very lovely if you want to see mine it is on my blog on the side bar under quilt and english paper piecing
ReplyDeleteYour hexagons are beyond wonderful. I can't believe how many you have finished already! You certainly did catch the bug. I really like the border idea you describe. If I were you'd I go ahead and order the fabric - if it takes a while to get there then that's OK - this isn't a race. I would give you time to start Alex's quilt. You can always give her a completed top or ever a box of blocks - I've done that before - with the promise to get it done as soon as you can.
ReplyDeleteThe hexagon quilt is looking wonderful, Jenni. I like your idea of making it square, with a wider border of plain fabric. I think that would enhance the jewel-like look of the hexagons. It would make a wonderful table topper, or a topper on a bed with another quilt below. You're inspiring me to try hexagons...oh, no!
ReplyDeleteI love hexagons, what size are yours? Like the idea of the dark border with a colour spot, but then like the look of it as is, with no border.
ReplyDeleteNot much help am I!
Actually, I think I would like this one with no border at all. It's soft looking this way.
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for stopping by my blog. I can't seem to get your email to work, so haven't been able to reply directly to you. We used to live in Brisbane, both the north and south side.
ReplyDeleteYou did beat us; but it was a close call at one point was it not?
ReplyDeleteLove those Hexagons - definitely no border.
I love your hexagon quilt and would love to know what size they are...this is something I have always wanted to do...
ReplyDeletedo you cut a square from all your fabrics and then just cut it out and baste it as you go ?
Or have you prepared a bunch then sew them together ????
always curious how people work on quilts like this...
Kathie
I think the birthday idea is great, but tricky when the first one is so soon! What about making her something else quilted (a bag or something), then you could give her an acutal quilt in 2008?
ReplyDeleteLove the hexagons. I totally have the bug now. The ones I'm making are pretty small to imagine them becoming a full sized quilt. They're bigger than the ones in Nadine's purse pattern, but I think I may adapt to use them there and then start some larger ones for a quilt.
I just love your hexagons!! Cannot wait to see what you decide to do with them. What size are the hexagons?
ReplyDelete