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.  

candied hexagons

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.

Decisions, decisions ....

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.

Hexalong anyone?

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.

Comments

  1. I'm in! Wonderful to sew by hand!
    I love that, but don't usually take the time.
    I feel an addiction coming on (if one ever could feel something like that "coming on")

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  2. Not like me to join the party so early but I`m in - my first QAL. Very exciting and this is just my kind of thing. I`ve said it before but your Pay It Forward generosity is incredible and this looks like a lot of fun. Can`t wait to get started and for the button!

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  3. I am going to try this. Would like to use machine but I might try a few by hand. That quilt is spectacular.

    Carol

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  4. I'm in and flexing my hexmuscles ...

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  5. I am in- I want to try this- I am putting myself out there- just started my first QAL and am learning all kinds of neat stuff- I love the look of hexagons- just have been too intimidated to try before!

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  6. I'm in and I already joined Lily's Quilts Flickr Group. I love her stuff too.

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  7. Now I've seen this you know I'm in - yeah resistance is futile. I BLOOMING love EPP - Heck I sold over 1000 1" hexies together last summer to make that hexie quilt on my blog header!

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  8. I normally don't like hexies, but this....WOW!

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  9. This is fun!
    The quilt in the Australian Magazine looks a lot like a quilt BOM from my LQS, which is made from traditional fabrics.
    It‘s amazing to see what modern fabrics do to a simular quilt!
    this is the link: http://www.quilterspalet.nl/index.php?page=38

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  10. The candied hexagon quilt is freaking awesome!!! I don't usually talk like that, I don't know what's come over me. How did we not know about this before? I will be re-visiting my hexes I started last year and hopefully embarking on something that looks perhaps half as good. Thanks Lynne!

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  11. I have always loved these quilts and probably even have that magazine, might have to do some digging!
    Hopefully I will be able to squeeze this in, I really enjoy doing some handwork every now and then!

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  12. I tried to resist, but those photos today made it futile. I'm in!

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  13. This is a beautiful blanket.... If I can get caught up on my other 3 summer quilt-a-longs I'm in too!

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  14. This looks like fun! Janet at Quiltsalott made and featured this quilt a while ago. I'm a bit rushed this morning, but you might want to poke around over there to find it. It's a wonderful version!

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  15. This sounds very interesting. I will be here reading along, not sure if I will be hexing along. But I will try. I need a good hand sewing project that I can do while my boys are quietly watching Sesame Street (not that this happens a lot... but on the off chance).

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  16. I am in!!! I'm so excited to take part. I love having a portable project and learning new skills.

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  17. Well, since I finally finished my Dresden plate and got myself situated in my new place (and have no job . . .), please count me in! I love having the time to do this sort of thing, so I'm enjoying unemployment at the moment. :)

    Keep the tutorials coming! :)

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  18. I can totally make it official now. I'm so in on this.

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  19. Oh lordy! I'm feeling the draw for this one..... shall I? Oh - I might just have too. That quilt is fabulous.

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  20. yes...i'm in! this is something i thought i would never do...and now can't wait! thanks
    karen

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  21. I think I love this quilt but I am scared of hand piecing. You said there will be a machine piecing version, right? If so, I might give it a go.

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  22. Fabulous quilt! Really interested in the various hexies. So I'm in! That means I can go and buy some new fabric .... Please! :-)

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  23. I'm in. I've not hand pieced hexies or anything before, so I'm really looking forward to it. I need to make a flickr account and will do that tomorrow, so I can join up over there.

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  24. Okay Lynne...I'm highly interested in this, in fact, almost ready to commit! However, is there a time frame for this one? I'm just now getting my sewing things set up after the move and have a few other commitments already...am I going to fall behind rapidly?

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  25. Oh dear i haven't finished the last QAL but I'm feeling I can't resist this one as I really want to learn how to hexi. I've just sorted out all my scraps so this would be ideal...ok I'm in :)

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  26. i will definitely join in on some level. time is an issue, so i don't know how big a project i can make. i will try for a pillow. :) can't wait to start!

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  27. No wonder you and Gayle were obsessed after seeing THAT quilt - I have to join in, beyond my control.

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  28. I don't care about how much other stuff I need to do first I'm in! Thanks

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  29. OK you've talked me into it. I'm very busy with visitors the next few weeks but I've just got to try this.

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  30. Normally when I see a hexie, I think, no way (i did so many of them back in the 80;s at school) but that quilt looks fantastic - and so many new things to learn. I am definately in, thank you!

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  31. I'm in love hexies and have dabbled. Just never kept it going. Won't be the most prolific due to summer fun and festivities.

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  32. I've got a hexagaon scrappy quilt on the go...but would like to learn different things to do with EPP so I think I'll be in :-). Hand sewing perfect for me at the moment cos bad back is preventing much machine sewing.

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  33. Wow, that's an amazingly beautiful quilt! Like VivJM and others, I have a pretty straightforward hexie project in progress...but maybe I'll shift gears for this QAL....

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  34. Ok you've got me. I just can't seem to resist learning new quilting skills so I'm IN.

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  35. Not sure that I will have time but will try as it sounds really interesting. I love the quilt and wish it was on my bed.

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  36. It may only be a mug rug but I will give it a go.

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  37. I saw this quilt in the Aussie magazine too. It is completely fabulous! I can't do it right now but will be watching your progress.

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  38. I am in!!! Thanks so much. I have always wanted to try hexagons, but I let myself become intimidated.

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  39. That candied hexagon quilt is amazing! I'd love to have a go!

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  40. Thanks for the link to my tute Lynne, and for putting me on to the amazing candied hex quilt in the first place - I may make one of these instead of just stars for my full-sized version.

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  41. oooh now this I like, and this I want to do sooo much! Fi

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  42. Please add me, I so want to do this.....will be using my Spirit fabric for this!

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  43. Please add me too, I love love this quilt and have got a few hexies already. Thank you !

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  44. It's really nice! I'll try it!
    jeanine

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  45. I have a copy of the Australian Quilters Companion. Purchased it when I saw Kerry's quilt on the cover. Looks like I'm in!

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  46. I'm definately in! I need to get back to work on the few hexi projects I have started.

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  47. Hey, I may jump inot this one, given that my Candied Hexagon quilt is already 1/3 started, I'd have some hope of actually doing well in this QAL!!!!

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  48. I'm in! A little nervous about my very first qal...but thrilled to start here!

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  49. Ok, Ok, I started cutting out hexagons at OMG o'clock last night.
    Count me in.
    http://handmadebyclairebear.com

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  50. I would love to join in please ??? im so into hexi's and looking to make my first full size quilt :)

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