My Accidental Summer Project

Grab yourself a cuppa  ... I'm making up for being a little quiet lately.

Last week I invited you to tell me about your summer sewing project as the "entry fee" for a giveaway I'm hosting.  (Update:  Entries closed.)

While I was reading about all your wonderful projects (holy cow are you guys ever busy!) it occurred to me that maybe you'd like to see what I'm working on.

Remember my oops last month? 

Well, they've multiplied into 17 little diamond hexagon blocks.

I have to laugh at myself, though.  A few months ago I had absolutely no desire/thought/intention of starting a quilt with 1/2" hexagons.  I thought my craving to do a little English Paper Piecing was satisfied when I made my wallet ... and then subsequent EPP tutorial ... and then subsequent pincushion.

But I still had a few partly started flowers and didn't want them to go to "waste". 

So I turned them into diamonds.  Why diamonds?  The first quilt book I ever bought was Quilts, Quilts, Quilts by Diana McClum and Laura Nownes.

I've used it so much over the years some of the pages are falling out.

The first time I flipped through this book I saw the most wonderfully captivating antique quilt made entirely of hexagons. 

It is by far my favourite quilt in the book ... and for sure in my top 10 of all-time favourite quilts.  I love the hexagons, the diamonds, the rainbow colours, the white background, the angled edges ... I love everything about it.

Since then I've wanted to make a diamond hexagon quilt for myself, but always ended up with flowers instead.  I don't know why.  So when I looked at my little handful of partial flowers from my hexagon tutorial, I recalled this beauty and decided that now was as good a time as any to fulfill my nearly 30 year old dream.

Because I'm using really small templates, I've chosen the tiniest floral prints I can find. 

I'm thinking about adding some checks too.

And maybe even a few really tiny stripes if I can find some. 

My background fabric is Kona White.  Why? 

For no other reason than because I've had a few jelly rolls and charm packs of it in my stash for a while now (impulse buy at Quilt Market).  Normally I'm not a huge fan of precuts.  The pinked edges stress me out ... I'm never sure where my 1/4" seam should be.  So I figured I'd use up a bit ... like maybe a charm pack's worth ... on a few hexie diamonds.

Shoulda known better.

I needed to start a hexagon project like ... like I needed more fabric in my stash.  (Ok, maybe that's not quite the right analogy, but you get my point.)  See, I already have a hexie WIP that I started about ... mmm ... maybe 8 years ago?

I have 40 of these smokey blue/gray flowers, (you'll find one in my blog header)

which I was planning to make into a tablecloth, inspired by this picture in one of my Japanese quilt books. 

I just lost interest. 

Speaking of motivation as it pertains to English Paper Piecing and hexagons ... based on both personal experience and my frequent hours spent enjoying quilt blogs and Pinterest, there are waaaaaay more hexagon quilts started than there are finished.  And I'm pretty sure I know why. 

The look of a hexagon quilt is hard to resist.  It is such a classic, traditional and timeless design.  EPP could not be simpler.  Only the most basic tools are required.  And you can work on it almost anywhere ... you're not chained to a sewing machine.

The first several flowers go together fairly quickly.  It's a lot of fun to see such rapid progress - even making a stack of your basted templates is rewarding. 

But it's so easy to get led down the Flower Garden path (pun intended) when you start a hexie quilt.  Quilters who are bitten by the overwhelming desire to make one for themselves soon realize that the amount of time needed to finish a quilt is far more than they ever imagined. 

Eventually you begin to understand that sewing your nice stack of flowers together is going to take a loooong time.  And then you run out of steam, get tired of the project, lose motivation, shove your work into a box or a bag and stuff yet another WIP into the closet or cupboard to join the others. 

It's very easy to get bored with the tedious repetition of cutting out hexagons, basting and whipstitching a seemingly endless number of seams together.

I know what I'm talking about because the first 5 quilts I made were EPP hexagons.  And they were all twin size or larger.

That said, having a hand project on the go is very convenient.  I love having something to work on for when I find myself sitting &/or waiting ... at the doctor's office, at my daughters' extra curricular activities, in the evening when I keep my husband company on the sofa watching tv, during the occasional marathon phone call with far-away family & friends (... not mentioning any names, Allison! ;).  Or especially for my monthly get-together with my sewing group.  We only do hand work.  And for the past few months I've been working on these diamonds.  I can get a LOT done in 4 hours!

Oh dear, now I think I'm rambling.  Let me get back to my point.  I'm sure I started out with one in mind.

Right.  The "finishability" of an EPP quilt.

A few weeks ago as my collection of diamonds was growing and the cold hard reality of just how much work was ahead started to sink in (and I still have no idea how big it will be when it's done ... I'm just goin' with the flow here!), I started thinking of ways to simplify this now incredibly ambitious 1/2" hexagon quilt. 

For a short time I contemplated appliqueing each diamond onto a rectangle of matching fabric and then sewing all the rectangle blocks together. 

But then I joined a few diamonds together.

Game over.  I knew I wouldn't be happy with anything other than a pure hexagon quilt.

Sigh.

So here I am. 

With an accidental summer project.

Which could very well turn into a Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, (repeat as necessary) project.

I'll keep you posted on my progress ... I might need some moral support every once in a while. 

PS:  I just read what I wrote and I hope I didn't scare anyone away from trying EPP!  At the end of the day, EPP really is fun.  And I do find it quite relaxing & therapeutic.  Besides, there is just nothing like a hexagon quilt.  If you've never made one, I do hope you put it on your bucket list!

Comments

[Olivia Marion]

I cut out a bunch with the accu quilt and spent time putting them all together but unfortunately the (almost) finished piece is sitting on my serger making it look nice. For now. Congrats for getting that far

[A Little Blue Dragonfly]

Now see, I'm pretty sure I won't be doing this. I am amazed and jealous that you have the patience to do make such gorgeous hexies that will undoubtedly become heirlooms. I'm afraid mine would never get finished. But, oh, how gorgeous they are! As always, I love your fabric choices more than the book's. :) And those blues for your tablecloth...dreamy!

[Linda]

How lovely. What an inspiration you are! I love the hexi quilt in your quilt book and the table cloth is beautiful. It is so nice that you provide us with different projects that inspire us to create. I love hexis too! Thank you Kristyne.

[greg]

I love the floral fabrics - beautiful. But my copy of Quilts Quilts Quilts doesn't have that hexi quilt! Maybe because mine is the second edition from 1997. My personal hexi project is in burnout mode right now because prepping thousands of grey and white hexis has become booooring. I'm thinking of starting over with happy fabrics!

[Mary d]

I really like the look of the diamond and rectangle blocks of matching material
I am doing a flower border of hexagons with half hex in plain material on each side then attaching it to the patchwork that I have done.there is still a long way to go.i have been doing my hexagons by folding them over and brushing the edges with starch, then pressing with a hot iron.when I have a good pile done i can sit and hand sow them together.i check your blog every day to see all the lovely things you are making,I look forward to seeing your next project

[Archiethewonderdog]

I love that quilt and can't wait to see your version! I also find hexy quilts very, very hard to resist...

[Jess]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I've never tried EPP before, but it is on my to-do list. I would love to see your progress on this quilt every once in a while. Kudos to you for taking the plunge!

[anna]

I am "in love" with this quilt. But I am going to be 60 my next birthday and wonder if I could finish before I am called to my heavenly home. Maybe I should just start and see what happens. I could will it to someone if it wasn't done, but all my quilting buds are my age or older. I love everything you do. Wish you were my daughter. So inspiring you are. And I am really rethinking my house after following your blog for quite a while. See what problems you create. Good problems, I'll add. Thank you so much for so much inspiration.

[Hildy]

It's just beautiful and I love it!

[rosa]

I rarely comment, but now I must say that that quilt in the book is g o r g e o u s! So lovely, I'm so tempted to make for myself, or maybe something similar but not with hexagons, knowing myself I really do not have that kind of patience. I am admiring the fact that you're doing the real thing!!

[Laura K]

Oh that quilt looks amazing and I love the fabrics you are using. Know that I am cheering you on here in Utah. You can do it!

[Joyce Carter]

Your quilt will really be gorgeous. I love those fabrics. I have been collecting 1930 reproduction fabrics to make a Grandmothers' Flower Garden Quilt, I am like the lady that said she was turning 60. I will be 65 in a couple of days so now I am wondering if I will get to see it finished. But, as they say, nothing ventured-nothing gained. I so love this pattern.

I enjoy your blog so much. It is really inspiring and your projects are always so pretty. Thank you for sharing with us.

[edith]

The "diamonds" are beautiful and I can honestly see why you would endeavor to take on this project :) One of these days, I'm going to try hexies and will probably be insane enough to make it a quilt - why start with something small and manageable, let's just go for the whole hog (sarcasm required) :). Yup, that's the kind of girl I am. You will have as much support from me as you need. I think it is going to be absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing and you were missed :) Hope you and the girls are having a great summer.

[Cindy]

I also love EEP, but you are right, it takes a long time to finish. So the last few I have done were very small baby quilts and bags. I love what you are doing and hope you don't lose steam before it is finished:)

[amber]

I have never done one before. It is on my bucket list though... You have really inspired me with this post. I love the project you have chosen to do. The diamond hexagon quilt is gorgeous! Glad you definitely decided to go that route. You (obviously) can do it! :)

Thanks for sharing!
Amber

[Bari Jo]

OH MAN - I had forgotten about that book.... that quilt! I loved it, too, when I first got the book - one of my firsts, too! Hmmmm. I do love that look... and hmmmm. I am thinking flower sugar left overs... hmmmm been saving for a sweet project and didn't know just what to do with it all... and hmmm... mulling it over in my head... this just may be the project to go for the next few years... oooh you have me all excited... I agree with every thing you said! I have a large (huge) ball canning jar in my sewing room with hexie flowers in it... just adding one here and there ... it is growing... and I have a yo yo jar of the same... looks like candy jars in my sewing room... fun... but knew they'd never be a quilt.... just dreaming.... but this... you've sparked interest.... can't stop thinking about it.... love it! great idea.... as always you inspire me! :O) (the table cloth is so pretty - and with your embroidery to accent it? Maybe you will make it for one of your girls some day... it would make a lovely table cloth for tea!!!!

[Melanie Sim]

Kristyne, you've hit the nail on the head with your EPP observations! I was really inspired by your hexie diamonds, but then I reminded myself that I have another EPP WIP. Using kite shapes and making rose stars. It's a lovely change of pace, and great to be free from sitting at the machine...but it's S L O W!

Ha, I've never met anyone who wasn't a fan of precuts either, now I don't feel so left out! Where does the 5 inches start and finish anyway? The points or dips of the pinked edge? I'll take FQ's and yardage any day!

[Donna Stephens]

Just read your post and I'm right there with you, only my hexies are one inch. Don't seem to have near as much accomplished as you do. But I'm working on it. Just love the hexies.

[greenrabbitdesigns]

I knew it!! I new you'd do it that way in the end! :)
V x

[Kylie (Three Honeybees)]

Oh my word! That will be such a beautiful quilt and seeing you are such a veteran of hexagon quilts, I think the likelihood of this one getting finished is relatively high! I'm working on my own hexagon quilt with 1" hexies and have found the best way to keep my momentum going is to set myself a monthly goal of how much I want to get done. So far so good! But 1/2" hexagons might really do me in! I thought mine were small!! You're my hero :)

[Lois]

I have been smitten by hexies!! I saw it on your blog and it was love. I found someone locally teaching EPP and like you I like having a while you wait project. My project is a hexie baby quilt and I am using one inch. So thank you for the introduction to the art of hexies!!

[marilyn holley-stupka]

You are so inspiring, I've wanted to do a Grandmother's Flower garden for many years. You just about have me hooked but 1/2" I don't think that is going to happen gorgeous as it is.

[Donna Sand]

Great post!!! This is going to be a work of art!! I adore EPP as well.

[Thimbleanna]

Hahaha -- you've hit upon exactly why I've never started a gfg, in spite fo the fact that I REALLY want one. All the people I know who have ever started them have never finished them. Yipes.

Yours. Is. Gorgeous!

[Melissa]

That is going to be lovely! I hope you finish it! I'm not really a fan of the grandmother's flower garden pattern but the diamond layout really appeals to me. I've been working on a scrappy 1" hexie quilt since January and went into it with the knowledge that it will probably be a multi-year project. I've set myself the goal of at least getting it to lap quilt size before I'm allowed to call it quits. If I'm still enjoying it when it gets that big, then I can always keep going. I have this hazy dream of making it big enough for our queen sized bed. LOL. I've been keeping myself from getting bored by breaking it down into 4 different steps (basting, sewing rows, sewing rows into blocks, sewing a block onto the quilt top) and just working on whichever one sounds interesting on any particular day. It's working for me so far. As of the beginning of June, I had 200+ all sewn together (shown here if you're interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48151640@N06/9072655574/ ) and I've almost doubled it in size since then.

[Elaine]

Right now my next fear to overcome is zippers. I am not ready for the hexies yet and paper too? Oh my, I just mastered the HST and my matching seams are still hit or miss. But you can count on me for Moral Support, YOU GO GIRL!! : D

[Bonnie Nyquist]

Oh Kristyne, I am so in love with the diamonds also! I have that book,do not remember that being in there! Yours have such a fresh wonderful look to them, and yes, remember you got through that Farmers Wife quilt, this will be a snap!!!! Just one at a time!! Your fabric choices are spot on too! As usual! You give me such inspiration!!!!! Are you doing the glue technique,or needle and thread? Your blog is my favorite part of the day! Love this diamond quilt.it is beautiful!!
Those darn precuts, they say it is from the edge of the longest point of the pinking..yea,sure,ever try to cut one in half accurately?

Have you anythingi n mind with the precut Hexies?

[Cheryl]

Ever since you posted your hexi "oops", I have been hoping that you would start a diamond hexi project. The quilt you showed us from the Quilt, Quilt, Quilt book is really pretty. Your tiny florals combined with the white fabric give a crisp, fresh look to a traditional pattern.

[Darlene]

Your work is lovely! I've had one of those "almost" finished grandmother's flower garden in and out of the closet several times! lol And I have a smaller scrappy project on the go for take along hand work. I know exactly where you're coming from.

[Annerose]

Ach ist das schön und viele Arbeit lohnt sich sehr. Ich bin begeistert. Die SToffe sind auch wieder wunderschön. Ich hoffe du hast noch ganz viel Lust am "Lieseln" und schicke dir liebe Grüße Annerose

[Chris]

This post is a timely warning of the time it's going to take me to complete my brand new, not even done one stitch yet, holiday project! Yours do look gorgeous though so I think I'll carry on. Maybe the holiday project will be over a couple of years!

ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

[DianeM]

Wow! You go girl...the first 5 quilts you made were EPPs! That's awesome. I loved your post and all the pics. Quilts, Quilts, Quilts is my first quilt book too :) How many hours I've spent drooling over the projects in that book. And I agree about the pinked edges on precuts...lol. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress, I know it will be stunning :)
Smiles, DianeM

[Sharrieboberry]

I think you will be so pleased with the finished product--especially if it's been on you "wish" list for so long!

I have that particular quilt book too. I haven't given it a browse in a while. I'll have to re-check it out!

[wendy]

the diamonds look wonderful, you are one patient lady! that's what gets me about EPP, it looks wonderful and as though it'd be great fun and wonderfully relaxing. I've made a total of 1 12" block from hexies. Never, ever again!

[nat]

great post kristyne. i think you have inspired me to start a hexie quilt. I have been trying to choose a pattern for my stash of 1930's repros. I started out thinking I would do a hexie quilt and then thought maybe something modern would be great, but i know I just have to bite the bullet and start making hexies! I love them

[Alex]

Oh I so want to do hexies but I haven`t worked up the courage yet. Yours look so wonderfull, so time consuming and so so nice.

[Mary]

Your quilt will be FABULOUS! Thanks for sharing, always an inspiration to me.....just what I need another project to obsess about LOL

[Dolores]

Nope, sorry, not on my bucket list. Neither is a double wedding ring. Although I admire anyone who does a hexagon quilt, I will never make one. Life is too short and I have way too many other quilts on the go. Half inch hexxies? What are you thinking? You must be young because it will take a while.

[Toni]

Just lovely. You are one talented young lady! I love the tablecloth from the Japanese quilt book - is there any way you could share the title. Thanks for such a fun and inspiring blog.

[Debbie R.]

What a beautiful work in progress. You're right -- the allure of a hexagon quilt is pretty irresistible. Definitely on my bucket list. But for now, I'm just enjoying looking at the work done by others (and drooling). I don't need another project begun. But I'm glad you've begun, and look forward to seeing your progress ...

[Jennifer B]

Kristyne...
You go girl! Both the quilt and the tablecloth are beautiful. Your creativity and tenacity are inspiring. I am looking forward to the day I try my first hexies...perhaps a doll quilt is my starting speed.😊

[wendy]

I love the look of a hexie quilt and yours is going to be amazingly beautiful. Please continue, I want to see it when it is finished.

[Barbara]

This is going to be gorgeous in the end - and well worth it!!!

[Saartje]

Thanks to your blog, which I love, I'm stitching a hexagon 'quilt' for the first time in my life. I was surprised at how quickly and easily it comes together really, and like you say, it's a very relaxing, I would almost say healing, activity. I started with a very modest project. I'm assembling some tiny half inch hexagons to make a cover for a needle book, or maybe a little sewing pouch.

[vintage grey]

Wow, simply gorgeous!! I love the diamonds!! I am still working on my hexie flowers, and need to start adding the white ones!! It is a lot of work, but so worth it in the end!! Happy sweet week to you! xo Heather

[mamamousie]

I too am smack in the middle of a hexie quilt, but I can one-up you in the craziness! I had all of the flowers (in tiny florals as well) done, and many, many joined with white hexies, when I decided to lay them out on my bed to look at placement when it hit me . . . I would love this even more if the flowers were not surrounded by white. So can you guess what I did? Yes, I sat with my seam ripper and un-sewed every. stinking. flower. from the white hexies. Then I cut a few million more squares to baste onto the paper pieces, basted those, and now I am stitching approximately twenty-two billion flowers together! I think I must be nuts. But I love it.

[Four Little Munchkins (Deborah)]

Thank you for saying that about precuts. I thought I was the only one! Everyone is raving about them and they've got all these cute names, and here I am trimming off the edges so I can get a clean seam allowance. They stress me out too! Glad to hear I'm not alone.

[Jody]

After 5 years of work ( I only work on my hexi quilt during winter) I have finally finished. It's been a long road but the quilt looks great.

[marcille]

I have never done any EPP; but, I love the quilt in the book. I think that you have inspired me to give it a try. So gorgeous, I hope you will continue to post your progress. (Maybe even a pattern and tutorial?) Thank you for sharing your beautiful work!

[Paige Gonzalez]

Hi Kristyne, I have never done EPP and do not have one in the works. After seeing your posts I am hooked! I would love to start one. I don't know where to begin. What is the best size to start with, best way to cut the fabric and where do I get the Hexie templates? What is the glue basting method and is it easier than sewing the basting? I have some fabric that I think will look great, similar to yours. Thanks in advance for your help. Sorry for all the questions....