Tuesday, December 26, 2017

The Real Work Begins :: Diamond Hexagons

I knew the day would come when I could stop making my colorful Diamond Hexie Stars.  It's bitter sweet in a weird way.  I've enjoyed fussy cutting, picking and mixing prints and stitching together each beautiful hexagon.



These guys kept my hands busy at night, yet it never felt like 'work'.  It was happy self imposed joyful work!

My last two rounds have brought this madness to an end, or maybe I should say the madness is only just beginning!


Round ten happened.  At this point I'm at the bottom of the barrel of my Kaffe Fasset fabrics.  All my pieces are looking like Swiss cheese and find three sections for the diamonds in one fabric is becoming a challenge.  


Last round, round eleven.  At least at this point I think it will be my last round.  I won't know until I decide on a layout and size.  Which brings me to the next step in this long saga.



I ended up with a layout similar to this one.  By similar, I mean I've arranged, rearranged, added rows to the top, bottom and sides...removed rows, moved, turned and twisted.  Similar.  The one thing I was certain of before deciding anything, was there would be triangles added to give the blocks some much needed space.  A place to rest your eyes because as you can see, it's a little busy!


But what should the background triangle color be?  I'll tell you this, Instagram is a great place to ask for advice because you get answers immediately!  We debated white, light grey, dark grey and even some blues and teal.  All of which I considered.  Just when I was about to settle on one...I flipped the script!  

I went with my first idea, one that I decided against because I thought it was too predictable.  It was, but it was the best option by far.  Black.  Well, to be more accurate Kona Pepper which is a softer version of black black.  It makes the blocks shine, stand out or as they say in quilt talk 'pop'!  I guess there's a reason why they say you should always go with your gut or first instinct!


Back in August when I started this project, I didn't have any intention of taking this far.  It was just a project to help me through a sad period in my life.  By half way through, I was pretty much obsessed and couldn't stop. Towards the end I started having a vision of sugar plums dancing in my head...in the form of a quilt...all hand stitched.


I've just started stitching the triangles to the blocks.  Slowly and steady, this may take a while!  

Hand stitching each piece, each block and each triangle is certainly in the category of 'are you serious?'!  When I feel like I have lost my ever loving mind...I think about  vintage quilts that were all hand sewn.  I can do this!
  

LINKING:

19 comments :

  1. Oh I can't wait to see more. This project may be demanding, but the result will be something extra special!

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    1. I think it will be something special when it’s finished too! This will be one that I keep…especially after all the work!

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  2. That is an amazing collection of blocks. I look forward to seeing the direction you now take.

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    1. It is going to be ‘epic’, by epic it’ll be something that will never be repeated! Hand stitching an entire quilt is not something I would do often…maybe never again!

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  3. You can totally do this! I agree that the Kona Pepper is going to be perfect, and I look forward to seeing so much more of this. :)

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    1. I’ve been so up and down with this project. What started as something to get me through a tough time has become much more than I anticipated or even planned! I’m excited about the finish when ever it happens!

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  4. This will certainly be a colorful and beautiful quilt when completed. I could not hand stitch an entire quilt! Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Nadine W. N.Cali

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  5. I'm sure your blocks will be gorgeous against Kona Pepper (I voted for that option on Instagram ! hahaha) Enjoy this peaceful work !

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  6. They are BOLD and I love them!

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  7. I love these bright little jewels of colour. This is motivating me to get on with my ice cream soda blocks.
    Happy New Year to you - thanks for all the fabulous inspiration this year.

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  8. Of course you can do this! You will have a real treasure when you're finished. Something lovely coming from a sad place in your life.

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    1. I think this quilt will have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. It really got me through a tough time, but it also has made me very happy and pulled me through!

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  9. These EPP stars are so beautiful! I’m thinking of starting a portable EPP project for when I travel this year. I’m wondering if you thread-basted or glue-basted your diamonds?

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    1. Having a portable project is such a great idea! I hope to one day have another to do, but first I should probably finish this mammoth one! This is the first time I have glue basted all the templates and it worked great!

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  10. This is so rich! And the pepper background is the very best choice! I am glad for your progress and the getting through tough times.

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  11. I'm sooooo glad you kept with the pepper. Looking forward to seeing pics!

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  12. The first thought I had when I seen the pics of your work, was wow, those look just like the kaleidoscope pics I had as a kid. Each one changing. Awesome job and so rewarding to hand stitch. I have been there. Will never forget it.

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  13. I think Pepper is going to look amazing. The colours will pop.

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  14. Beautiful colors. I hope that this project has brought some brightness and cheer to you. I can't wait to see it finished!

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