In between the large quilts I've tried to work in a mini or a wall hanging just to break up the monotony...it's working for the most part.
After I finished the first 'Hexie Heart' wall hanging I was determined to make another. The process of hand stitching the hexies together goes super fast and you end up with a fun design. For the second go around I decided to use solid fabrics, stay in the rainbow theme, but use 1/2" hexies instead of 1". I'm so glad that I did! It's ten times as adorable!
 |
| KALEIDOSCOPE 18" X 18 1/2" |
With my hand as a reference...you can see just how small the hexies are in real life.
Once all the pieces are together it measured 10" x 10", that will also give you reference to the size.
And what would a English Paper Pieced project be without a shot of the papers on the back?! I made myself a chart of the design with each color section labeled. Once I had that figured out along with my fabric choices, I wrote a corresponding number on each hexie so that I could get the colors in the right position. A simple guide that makes sewing the pieces together much easier.
When I made the first one, I actually pieced together hearts to go inside the circles. This time I decided I'd quilt a design in the centers instead. It made it so much easier. Plus, you can quilt some pretty great designs especially when you use colored thread.
I grabbed my Aurifil rainbow mix of colors and proceeded to quilt some geometric stars. They aren't the most perfect starts, but I love when I can use my walking foot instead of free motion quilting. The walking foot wins out every time!
I stitched a tiny zigzag around and inside the hexies using a variegated rainbow thread (see back photo!). I like that look better than the first go around with this design. I then quilted 1/2" lines in a hexagon around the center using a dark gray thread. From there I did a few rainbow 'flower' rounds and finished with many more concentric gray rounds.
Why I don't use a dark background with rainbow designs I'll never know! White backgrounds feel crisp and clean and you think they will make the colors standout, but a dark background seems to enhance the colors. I'm a fan and I'm drooling just a bit!
With every design (this one included) I tend to figure out better ways to accomplish or enhance things. The center design, the quilting design, background colors, quilting...just to name a few. And when that happens you know there will be another project along these lines. I'm always trying to make it easier or faster or better! Some things are hard to resist!
LINKING:
You never cease to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteI like to keep busy and try new things. And then of course…expand on the idea a time or two!
Deletethat is really neat - did you glue baste the hexies to the paper? after you machine stitched was it hard to get the papers out or because it is a wall piece you just leave them in?
ReplyDeleteI did glue baste the hexies. Once all the hexies were stitched together I then removed the papers. It was more difficult just because of the size, but very doable!
DeleteGreat idea, great mini! Tiny hexies are adorable!
ReplyDeleteI love all the different colors of thread you used for the quilting on this one, Jayne! What a great design they make! Thanks for showing us how you numbered the hexies to keep them all in the right places, too - I was wondering about that. This is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnother great project. And yes the dark background makes the colours pop.
ReplyDeleteNicely done, Jayne. From the color choices to the quilting, this dramatic little piece ROCKS!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool, Jayne. I always enjoy your enthusiasm for trying something and seeing where it takes you! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy seeing how your thought patterns as an artist grow from one project to the next. You seem to learn from the first one, always progressing.
ReplyDeleteI love those cute little hexies ... so cute and I love the solides and the way you quilted them. Great job AND it gives me more ideas ... since I don't have enough to do. LOL
ReplyDeleteI love this so much! perhaps the next one will be 1/4" hexies? I dare you!
ReplyDeleteYou threw down a challenge…one that I think I just might take! To be continued...
DeleteAnother beautiful quilt. I love that you held it with your hand so we could get the idea of the size. Were you using 50 wt thread for the quilting?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Jayne! I love that you played with the colored thread on this one. Tiny details always make the quilt for me :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
Ooooh, yeah! The dark background does make the colors glow! Are you sure it isn't a bit radioactive?? :)
ReplyDeleteA very magical way to sew the Hexis in rainbow shape.
ReplyDeleteBest regards - Barbara
What an amazing hexie mini! Love your quilting, too!
ReplyDeleteHow do you mange pack so much punch in a small piece? Spectacular as usual :-)
ReplyDeleteLove it.
Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! This is such a fun, tiny, and colorful project, with awesome quilting to boot!
ReplyDeleteOh Jayne, your panel is beautiful, and like you, I think a darker background sets off bright colours so much more effective than a white. Your rainbow layout is just perfect, and that quilting and thread matching!! Love love love!
ReplyDelete