Monday 19 August 2013

Hexagons!


Hello, all, sorry I've been a while getting round to posting but I've been quite busy on the domestic front, and have been waiting for an email from a quilter/blogger in Australia-  more of this later.

Above you can see a photo of a quilt block and border strip which I have been working on/thinking about for ....erm....a couple of years now! Admittedly I have completed other projects along the way, but this has been hanging about for an embarrassingly long time. Mainly because I've had  a blank spot about how I'm going to continue with it. I know I'm going to surround each appliqued block (pattern from an old book by Jan Patek) with strips of squares - how many rows I haven't yet decided. But what next?





 The solution came from Blogland, as so many good ideas frequently do. There are two Australian blogs I've been reading for quite some time now, which I'm sure you'll enjoy. The first by Elizabeth of Broderie and the second is by her friend Jean, of Linen and Raspberry -check them out, you'll love their style. These two friends have been involved, with others, in quilting workshops with an eminent Australian quilter/tutor, called Margaret Sampson George, who I first heard about years ago when I saw her work in an Australian quilting magazine. I was instantly hooked by her fabric choices, and her use of naive style appliqué.


These small quilts were inspired by Margaret's quilts - her use of naive baskets, her border treatments and layout.


I designed my own baskets, or copied as well I could (you know my standard of drawing!) from pictures of antique naive quilts. These I machine appliqued at the time, and I wish I had stitched by hand, now, but I am still very fond of these little quilts.


It was also when I began stipple quilting by hand, to give that lovely antique look.




 So a big thank you to Margaret - and she is still inspiring quilters with her unique approach and great designs. She herself has been inspired by some old English medalion quilts - what goes around comes around! Elizabeth and Jean are currently working on quilts taught in Margaret's workshops, and have given me permission to reproduce their photographs here. The first photographs are demonstrably from Elizabeth's blog, though not all are of her own quilt top.


I was stunned to see that almost all the appliqued motifs are composed of hexagons, which are then appliqued to the background fabric - hence the ongoing work is referred to as The Sheet! I love it!



The hexagons are built up into differently shaped larger motifs, arranged on the ground fabric and stitched down. A lot of hand-work involved, but I am getting further and further away from enjoying machine work these days, which is why this method really appeals. It isn't fast, but the leisureliness of cutting and hand stitching each hexagon really appeals.


I love the fabric choices, and some very clever 'fussy cutting' going on here. (Fussy cutting is where you select a particular area of the fabric because the design on each hexagon contributes to an over-all effect. It's not an efficient use of fabric, but it does give great design opportunities.)



Never seen hexagons used so beautifully! See how differently the hexagons can be arranged.









 The following eight photographs are from Jean's blog; they are not all of her own quilt top.











 I love the way the old "Granny's flower Garden" lay-out has been transformed by adding units in different ways. So there we have it - my decision is made. Once I  have surrounded each of my applique blocks with the squares, I shall cut out my border strips and then spend some peaceful hours making my hexagons, designing the motifs and deciding how to place them on the background. This quilt isn't going to be finished any time soon - but that's ok, I'm into 'Slow Cloth' anyway - but I'm going to enjoy every step of the way. Thanks Elizabeth and Jean, you have cured my 'Quilter's Block"!




32 comments:

  1. dear lynne, these quilts are beautiful, i will have a proper read later as just off to work now...just wanted to say thank you for your kind woards, they mean alot, xx xx

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    1. Thanks, Sophie, love your blog and enjoy all your posts - and I particularly love your stitching! Lx

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  2. Well thank you very much young Lyn - instead of thinking about finishing up my current projects I'm now thinking how lovely it might be to start some patchwork - not just any patchwork mind you - one of those gorgeous quilt tops that you've just made me drool over. And I want to have it finished by Wednesday. Hmmm. MORE crafty dilemmas! Jane x

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    1. Heheheheheh! That's the way it goes, Jane, you think you have it all organisied then BANG up comes another idea to entice you away from your 'to-do' list! Let me know how you get on. (BTW, Wednesday is pushing it a bit!!) Lx

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  3. Just discovered your blog through potterjotter! delightful, and thanks for the link to Broderie - I love working with hexagons. Am coming over to Norfolk too this week, to visit my brother and am hoping to move there in next year or two. I will enjoy looking through your blog.

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    1. Hello Rose, thanks for commenting, and welcome to Norfolk - keep in touch!

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  4. I am blinded by the light, well by envy of all that wondrous work your little quilts are lovely. I need to live for another 100 years so that I can sew every thing that I want to.

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    1. Pam, your own quilts are lovely. We have a saying - " so many quilts, so little time!" how true it is!! Enjoy Wales! Lx

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  5. Oh so inspiring ...I have just found you via Hettie brown's blog and so glad i have...
    I am a sewer and don't quilt but have always wished i could...I have been given a bag of hexies' and hope to use them as an appliqued design now i have seen your lovely post....thank you for sharing..
    bestest to you and yours today
    Daisy jones

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    1. Hello Daisy, lovely to meet you. Get you going on those hexes now, no excuse! Will pop across and check out your blog when I get back today - off to buy a pair of walking boots ....hahahahaha! (Laughs like a drain!)

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  6. Your quilts are fabulous. Not sure I would have the patience but love the idea of the baskets. How on earth are the hexagons joined to one another? Love the stipple effect.

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    1. Hi Dc. When you've made your hexies, leave the papers inside, place two together right sides facing. Line them up and overstitch along ONE edge. You can keep the needle threaded and do similar with another hexie this time sewing TWO edges, the third hexie fitting between the other two. And so on. Easier to see a diagram than visualise what I have written. It is a very peaceful occupation, not requiring a lot of patience becausee like anything you enjoy, you just do it! Lx

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  7. What stunning quilts - all of them. I do so wish I could do even a small one like those.

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    1. You could try a cushion cover - make the block, layer it and quilt it and make it the front of a cushion; not too much of a commitment, and lovely to look at! There, sorted, on you go then! Lx

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  8. Wow! Loads of wonderful stuff here Lynne! Your applique piece is fab - I am already buzzing with ideas for something based on naive applique now!! That last pic of the quilt on the bed is just divine - I want it! I too have been inspired by an Aussie blogger this week - see my post. xCathy

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    1. Hi CAthy - yep, read your post, off to check out her blog. Coo, a platter with a naive basket/vase design on ...wonderful! I'm so taken with all these quilts I want to make several ...and me with umpteen things in the pipeline! Slow down there gal, slow down! Lx

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  9. Beautiful quilts and so inspiring, no wonder your quilter block is shaken off!

    S x

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    1. Hi Sandra, aren't they beautiful? And I love the fabric they use - but I have so much I daren't buy any more! Lx

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  10. Gosh such beautiful creations, can't wait to see your creation.....you've had such wonderful inspiration! :) x

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    1. You'll have to wait a while, Ada! Don't expect results too quickly! BTW, I saw you mentioned in a magazine...was it a caravan one? D'you know, I have completely forgotten where I saw you...they mentioned your vintage wall-paper ...yes! It was a caravan mag which was making a feature of vintage vans. I thought hey! I Know that Ada Bea! Lx

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  11. I really enjoyed your blog and the last picture of the quilt is lovely can I place my order now for when you start making yours.
    If I didn't have such rickerty forefingers I might even think about having a go not that I can see properly to even thread a needle.
    your needle work is really lovely Lynne and I just love looking at it

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    1. Hi Lesley, thanks for your lovely comment. You'll have a LONG wait for a finished quilt from me! When I think how I used to turn them out years ago ...... but this one ail be slow and steady. Lx

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  12. Gosh! These are something else!! It will be fascinating to watch your quilt progress Lynne, even if it does take you a while :)

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    1. Aren't those photos something, Annie? Mouth-watering. Don't hold your breath, now, will you? It will be a long, slow process, but at least I know what I'm going to do now! Lx

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  13. I have had to look at these pictures several times as I have never seen hexagons used in this way. Brilliant and I love your appliqué work. Hand quilting is a bit of a challenge, sure will look good when done.
    There is a blog award for you over at mine if you would like a little bling for your blog.
    X

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    1. Hi Jane, I too, was a bit gob-smacked by their use of hexagons, never seen them appliqued onto a sheet before, how effective they look. And thank you for the blog award - like you I'm not terribly into them, but I do thank you in the spirit in which it was sent, and I will endeavour to get it onto my page - I've managed it twice but have forgotten how to do it!! Watch this space!

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  14. Wow, this point is so full of inspiration and beauty! All of the projects are wonderful, from your applique baskets to the hexies.

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    1. Hello Cynthia, thanks you! I did enjoy doing those baskets - just wish I had appliqued them by hand. And yes, I love the hexes, will enjoy doing them for my quilt. Lx

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  15. Lovely, lovely, lovely. They are gorgeous and look forward to seeing your finished work. Blog land is so great isn't it? I've often been inspired by others' posts and people can be so kind and helpful too.
    Patricia x

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    1. I've started cutting out the pretty small papers, Patricia, much smaller than I usually make hexagons. I think this really IS going to be a Slow Cloth! Yes, good ole t'internet, lots of wonders to behold! Lx

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  16. Oh my goodness what beautiful quilts, they must take hours upon hours of stitching and tons of patience. My attempts at basic patchwork are very rough and ready and not a straight line to be seen lol

    I adore your applique, its just so pretty, gorgeous selection of fabrics and so much attention to detail....stunning!!

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    1. Wow, Karen! Steady on! But thank you, I am pleased with those little quilts, looking forward to getting going again on the latest one...hexies here I come!! Lx

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