Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern;
The last class of my beginning quilting series takes place this Thursday, and I’m glad it’s almost over. I’ve really enjoyed it, and I’ve learned more than I ever thought possible. But 15 weeks is a big chunk of time. It will be nice to have my Thursday nights free again.
I’m also anxious to move on to other quilt projects. In fact, I’ve started something new, a part of which is pictured above. This block design is called, I believe, Grandmother’s Flower Garden, but it’s made of little individual hexagons, so I think of it as a hexagon block. We did this block in the sampler quilt for class, and I fell in love with the technique. I dreaded doing it at first, thinking it would be tedious and boring, with all those tiny little stitches done by hand. But I love it. Sewing by hand is a great thing to do while I’m watching TV with hubby at night. I’ve also found it to be a lifesaver during those long Fridays when I’m serving as a federal grand juror. I can’t fall asleep and sew at the same time!
I’m using fabrics from my stash for this project. Last year, I bought a bunch of fat quarters of various Mary Englebreit fabrics off of Ebay. I had no idea what I’d do with them, but I had to have them! I’m finally putting them to good use. Each “flower” will be different, but they’re all made with her darling fabrics (if you click on either photo, you can see more details in her patterns.) Here’s another sample of one I have yet to start sewing together:
You can see the cheery little Engelbreit cherries in these hexagons. So cute!
Now, what should these “Mary” little flowers grow up to be? I truly can’t imagine doing an entire quilt made of nothing but these little 1-inch hexagons. I don’t think I’ve got that kind of patience! But maybe a table runner, or a wall hanging? Any suggestions?
Until next time…
12 comments:
My friend made a bunch of these blocks but like you didn't want to make a whole quilt with just these blocks so she appliqued the flower garden block to a square background then she used an alternated square block in between the flower garden blocks. The alternate block fabric was a cute print that she fussy cut. It made a fairly large quilt without having to make all those flower garden blocks. Good luck, Terry
Beautiful hand work, Pattie! I admire anyone with the diligence to produce heirlooms.
nice work!
Arlene,
Silverdale flowers
That is a wonderful project for hand techniques. The first quilt that I fell in love with was the Grandmother's Flower Garden. As fate would have it, it was at my grandmother's house too. I was hooked.
I love the colorful fabrics you are using. Of course I have always loved her stuff anyway. You could make it into a wonderful tote to stash your current quilt project is you tire of making a gazillion of the hexs. Do they allow needles and scissors in the grand jury room? They won't at the local courthouse. Ask me how I know that. :)
Glad you are coming to a close on the class. I know that you will use all that you have learned, but it is a long session.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
I think it would make a beautiful table runner! Sooooooooo pretty!!!
They could be blocks in a larger quilt, but it's beautiful work and I think you should show it off in a wall hanging.
What beautiful work you have done! I'm quite impressed. I can't wait to find out what you do with it!
Oh, I love making Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks. Are you doing the freezer paper method? I need to make time to quilt again! I miss it.
That's really lovely. It makes me a little bit guity that I haven't been doing any cross stitching for a few years now!
Can't wait to see the finished piece--I love cherries.
Your quilt patterns are so pretty! I just love quilts - probably becasue there is so much love and patience that goes into each one.
I'm with you too - love the outdoors and being around the little creatures. (Except as you said - when they eat my stuff!)
Those are so cute! I swear if I have a regular evening free, I'm checking into quilting classes. I need to expand my horizons! Thanks for the great inspirations.
I LOVE the contrast of the dark center, so beautiful!! You are very talented my friend!
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