Sewing a Hexagon Quilt

There hasn’t been much in the way of quilty stuff on my blog lately. Probably because I’m living out at the lake right now, and no electricity equals no sewing machine.

But I wouldn’t let that stop me, eh?

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My friend Melissa had sent me a little care package containing (among other wonderful goodies) a jelly roll of Free Spirit Pirouette a month or so ago and I couldn’t wait to cut into it.  Her instructions were to experiment, play and enjoy. I took this literally and decided to do just that by learning a technique that was brand-new to me.

Misty with hexie flowers

I have always admired heritage quilts, and have always wanted to make a quilt entirely by hand.  One day I saw that there was going to be  Hexie-Queen Blog Hop, and since I had never made a hexie flower before,  it seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn.

hexie on windowsill

I took the jellyroll to my LQS and paired it with soft grass-green for the flower centers and garden path, and a creamy/buttery pale gold for the background. I loved the way the prints seemed to sink down and make themselves at home in these two complementary shades.

Misty with hexie flowers 2

Having decided to take the plunge, I looked at a couple of tutorials and then jumped into the deep end with the decision to start a hexagon quilt.

window light

I am slowly sewing 1.5-inch hexagons all sewn together into a Grandmother’s Flower Garden pattern. By hand.

hexie flowers in hand

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I carry it back and forth to town and work on it in the car.

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This antique glass butter dish is the perfect little container.

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hexies in a butter dish

It’s going to take awhile, but that’s okay. Handwork is relaxing. Why rush it when I enjoy it so much?007 I can already tell it’s going to be beautiful. 🙂

 

Today is the last day of the Blog Hop. Thanks for visiting, and don’t forget to check out the hexie-goodness on these other participating blogs:

Adventurous Quilter

Scraps of Life

Sew and Sow Farm

Kwilty Pleasures

Just Sew Quilter

Marjorie’s Busy Corner

Pig Tales and Quilts

Quiltscapes

Livinbluequilter

Sew We Quilt

Also linking up with Lily’s Quilts Fresh Sewing Day

76 comments

  1. Your quilt immediately reminded me of one my paternal Grandmother made for me when I was about 8 years old. I still have it – and still use it, but it is getting quite frayed. Your color choices are gorgeous and the precision of the size and placement is perfect. If only my eyesight were better I might have a new hobby myself! Thank you for sharing!

  2. I am also working on my first hexie project–a Christmas table runner. My daughter, Abby, recently asked me to consider putting together 5 quilts (we have 5 children, all married) as special Christmas gifts. Her idea is to display them unwrapped for our Christmas celebration, then have each family pull a number from a hat. The family who got #1 then gets to choose from the displayed quillwork, down the line until each project has found a new Christmas home. At first, I balked. When I make quilts for the family, I try very hard to customize it for the intended recipient. This year, though, has found me recuperating from several surgeries, so somehow Abby’s idea has become more intriguing. So far, I am 3/4th’s done with the hexie runner and ready to quilt a table topper constructed around an antique Christmas handkerchief.

    If you’d be interested, I’d love to share my hexie work if and when it reaches completion. Thanks so much for sharing your work–beautiful!

  3. You are right, your quilt is going to be beautiful. I admire your diligence and persistence. Many years ago I made two cushion covers from hexagons (sadly, demised a long time ago) and I decided that a bed quilt was something I was probably never going to make – and, about 35 years later I know that to be true! I have done various handiworks over the years and my favourite in embroidery. I shall be following your blog now with interest

  4. Very pretty. I love the color choices. I too have been working on a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt sewn completely by hand. I agree that hand sewing the small pieces is very relaxing. I also love the fact that it is so portable. I keep a zipper pouch in my purse with the pieces so I have it where ever I go. Best wishes.

  5. I am so jealous. I want to make one just like yours. It is so soft and pretty. You have done a wonderful job! I also admire your chair sitting out on the dock!!

  6. I love it! I am also in the middle of a long-term hexagon quilt project for my king bed so yes we don’t rush these things. Thank you for sharing.

  7. I think it is going to be beautiful too. I hope you continue to enjoy the relaxation of hand piecing and the beauty of your creation.

  8. Ha HA. I must be half blind it took me forever to find where to post a comment. I want to say how beautiful you quilt is going to be. You have a lovely setting in the background. Thanks for sharing.

  9. Wow! And all by hand. I hope you post a photo when you are all done. The colors are lovely and you should be so proud of what you are accomplishing! Keep up the great work! Thanks for sharing.

  10. You picked very, very pretty colors to compliment your jelly roll. You did an amazing job of picking the fabrics. You are doing an absolutely fabulous job of making your quilt. Since you enjoy hand work so much, are you going to hand quilt it? It’s certainly going to be an heirloom. Thanks for participating, sharing your amazing creativity, your antique butter dish, and making me drool. I hope to see you in more hops soon.

  11. This is so beautiful. I love all the colors and the green is just so soothing and pretty. I too love the idea of sewing by hand. I am so glad you shared this with us today. Sigh…

  12. Love your hexie WIP. I love hand work too. You’re right it can be so relaxing. Your feline helper(s) is so sweet-I have 3 furry assistants that I’d swear if they had an opposable thumb, my little black rescue Bombay would be sewing! Thanks for sharing.

  13. What a lovely group of blocks, like flowers floating on a lush lawn. Your colors are so sweet and I can see why you are enjoying the handwork. Thanks for sharing everything today!

  14. Yes it is already beautiful and the fabric is so pretty. What a lovely heirloom it will be when you finish it

  15. This will be sew beautiful! And your view!!! Years from now I bet when you sit under the quilt you will be able to close your eyes and see that amazing view!!!

  16. Love the colors of your hexies. The flower hexies look like cute little bowls when you have them all stacked up like that. The quilt top look fabulous and will be even better once it’s all finished.

  17. I love the colors and fabrics on your quilt. I am going to have to look for that fabric line. The soft buttery background looks lovely with your jelly roll and the green sashing hexies are perfect. You are sew organized. Have fun sewing your fabulous quilt together. Looking forward to seeing your progress … 🙂 Pat

  18. The fabrics are so lovely setting off the flower petals from the jelly roll. You are definitely making your own spin on a Nita heritage quilt. Way to go!

  19. Nita, I love how it’s coming together. Absolutely gorgeous. It’s going to be so stunning when it’s done.

    Would it be cheating if I did one of your flowers? I think I’d just love to sit with you and make one sometime this fall.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!