Hexalong - some information

One of my summer projects will involve these Lakehouse Penelope fabrics from Fat Quarter Shop which I confess I also bought this week.  TOP TIP: Follow Fat Quarter Shop on twitter - Kimberley announces shocking offers every day.  This bundle had 50% off.  

My plan is to make a quilt based loosely on a quilt called Candied Hexagons which was originally published in the Australian Quilter's Companion magazine edition 18 but is no longer in print or available to buy or download.

I have asked the magazine for permission to use the pattern in this magazine, designed by Kerry Dear, for this HAL but have not heard back so we will be making something based on the idea in this quilt of a hexagon sampler.  Kaffe Fassett made something similar in his book Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts and he in turn was inspired by a quilt made by Frederica Josephson in the mid 1800s and photographed in Annette Gero’s book “The Fabric of Society”.  Here is a version of Candied Hexagons made by the fabulously talented Lizzie Broderie.  Look how her use of big prints, small prints, geometric prints and different values keeps you interested in every block of this quilt.  

I am teaming up with Gayle Brindley on this QAL.  She and I both saw Lizzie's Candied Hexagons quilt a few weeks back on Flickr and we both became obsessed with making it.  She is a very talented US quilter whose use of colour combined with her precision machine and hand piecing produces beauties such as these two blocks, one from the Farmer's Wife QAL and one 4" circle from the King George Sew-a-long.  I will be showing you how to English Paper piecing the blocks in the quilt and she will be showing you her hand point-to-point piecing method using freezer paper.

So what will you be learning?  We will show you how to make your own EPP templates, how to make a series of simple hexagon blocks using two different hand piecing methods and how to design your own hexagon blocks.  We will show you how to make these blocks in any size you like - from teeny tiny to large-enough-to-machine sew if you wish.  You can then make as many as you like of each type of block - and perhaps a few of your own designs - and make a quilt or smaller item that is unique to you.


FAQs

1.   What are the fabric requirements?

You can make this project as small as you like - perhaps just a coaster, placemat, pillow or table runner, to as big as you like - perhaps a superking sized quilt.  So the fabrics requirements are as little or as much as you like.  Grab a layer cake and see how far you get with that, maybe a jelly roll or a charm pack.  I have a FQ bundle but I don't suppose I'll use all of it.  This would also be a great scrap buster.

To add interest to what you are making, think about using fabrics with different values (dark and light), some geometric patterns (dots, stripes etc), different scale of prints (some big statement prints and some small pattern prints).

2.   Can I Quilt-a-long with the hex project I started last summer?

Yes, bring along all your hex or other hand sewing projects, share them in the group pages, share tips and hints.  You don't need to be making the same hexies as Gayle and me to sew along with us.

3.   How difficult will this be?

We will make this very simple so even a real beginner can follow along and get started on a simple hand sewing project.

4.   Do I have to buy anything?

You will need a working printer to print out the templates.  Other than that, grab some fabric, some pins, some thread, a needle or two and a pair of scissors and off we go.   For Gayle's hand piecing method, you will also need freezer paper.

5.   Love hand piecing and want to guest post?

Let me know and we'll see about including a few guest posters along the way with their tips, hints and expertise.  Jo Bearpaw has already started with an English paper piecing tutorial (with cheating) tutorial on her blog yesterday.

6.   Will there be a button?

The button will be posted in the starter post which will be coming very shortly and will link back to that post.  All subsequent posts, Gayle's posts and any guest posts will also be linked from that first post.

7.   What do I do now?

Leave a comment here letting me know you're in.  Then head over to the Lily's Quilts Flickr group, join that group if you haven't already, let us know who you are over there and get chatting about what you have planned.