Hey, everyone! It's Kasey, the Make-Do Queen from BombletQuilts, writing to you from VACATION!!!! Thanks go to Madame Samm for having me again, and to all of you for reading!
Today, I want to let you know how I stay busy, at home or away- WITHOUT BUYING ANY NEW FABRIC!
A while ago, I felt like I was seeing hexagons everywhere. At the time, I just thought they looked cool, but would take way too long for someone as impatient as I am. After we got settled in to our new house, though, I thought, "Maybe I should TEACH myself a little more patience."
An so I looked up English paper piecing, found a website with free templates to print, and started playing.
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| Guess how many?............ 450!!! |
I use hexies that have .75" sides- half inch sides seemed too small, while one inch sides were too big for the scraps I was using. You see, my other dilemma lately has been that I have been trying to not buy new fabric since I'm still looking for a job. However, a lovely friend of mine had given me a bag of beautiful scraps. the hexagon size I'm using can easily be cut from pieces as narrow as 2" and still have a generous enough seam allowance. I've been able to cut her bag of scraps into over 1,000 hexagons!!!!
When basting away, I didn't have a clue what I was going to do with them. Then I saw this floor at our local furniture store:
My amazing husband had bought me 3 fat quarters as a cheer-up present in January, so combined with that floor, I came up with this pillow:
And I made a Kindle cover of some random scraps...
It's so simple to make- just measure 1" wider than your electronic, and make a strip that wide that is 2 2/3 the other measurement. Then I quilted it, folded it just enough to cover the Kindle, then bound it- Simple! (If you need more info, go ahead and email me- I can work up a real tutorial once I'm back home).
I love handwork like this- if you try it, you might get addicted, so watch out! But, it's relaxing, and since you can use scraps, it feels free!
So there you have it- I hope you enjoyed my ramblings. I'm in Florida, though, and the sun is calling this Indiana girl outside!
Have a great day, and thanks!
35 COMMENT HERE:
I've only done a couple hexagon projects. My friend thinks I need to do more. A couple weeks ago, she gave me a little packet of hexagons with fabric and a note warning they were "addictive". And you have given the same warning! LOL! I do love that pillow!
I love making hexies. I am going to get some of those ready for when I go and visit my mom this summer. Glad you posted that to remind me to get busy on it.
This past week at QuiltFest in Pigeon Forge TN, one of the "freebies" in our registration goodie bag was a little zipper bag full of fabric and paper hexies! Many of the Quilters made necklaces that were worn throughout the week made from those cute little Hexies! So many comments on how addicting they were and plans to buy more when everyone went home. Oddly enough, my quilt store does not carry any paper piecing patterns so I have to order online.
Blessings
Gmama Jane
Thank you for sharing your 'hexes' here! Very nice! What talent you have... One day I too will get brave and try making something in the 'quilting' department!
Hi Kasey, I have a very special quilt that is mostly hexagons, random scraps, sewn during lots of gym lessons, basketball lessons, swim lessons and so on. it bring back so many memories of the times I spent sewing and the other quilts I made that generated the scraps in the first place. Enjoy yours and happy stitching! And it you need more scraps, just yell. I have recently realised that I have 20years worth to whittle down!
Cheers
I love hexies. I don't ever think I will do Grandmother Garden quilt, but love to use them as accents and small projects. They do travel well and great way to pass the time while waiting on other activities.
Thanks for the link, I really fancy doing some of these
It is great to have something to work on while away or waiting for something, most of us quilters don't like to sit with nothing to do!
So many things I want to try, one of them is hexies :o) Your bag full of hexies looks sweet, just like candy.... :o)
It´s a beautyfull pillow.
Greetings from Sweden in spring
Good Morning Kasey...now you are a planner even on holidays...wow...I have not followed into the hexagon craze as of yet...I am afraid too. I see how sew many of you get on that craze and there is no stopping you...when would I get my blogging done lol...You are a riot...love the pillow and kindle cover...I will admire rather than join you all...for now wink
Those are some tiny hexies! I would say you've licked the patience issue. I love your resourcefulness in using every little piece. With that size hexie, they will be delightful whether you do some thing small or more ambitious (like that tile floor!).
In stitches,
Teresa :o)
I just started on Hexagons too, they are quite addictive. I love how you use your curtains bag that they came in, I use those all the time, but mostly sheets come in mine.
What a way to learn patience!! And a beautiful pillow to boot.
I'm a hexie maker, too! Love your kindle cover - it's bright and cheerful! Such a great way to use scraps and stash...there are many of us that are trying to stay out of the fabric stores, you know! Uh-oh, I just heard one of the online stores calling..... must.not.answer. LOL
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com
I do hexies when we go out on the boat - so much more rewarding than just reading a book! And it's still easy to talk to people while you're working on them.... Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the inspiration!
Hi Kasey. Love the tiny hexies. I did a Grandmothers Flower Garden Quilt with large ones. It was fun, and portable, and so easy to pick up anytime. You inspire me to use smaller hexies next time. That way I can use the tiniest scraps. Thanks.
I got sucked into the hexies last summer when I needed something cool and relaxing to do.I still keep chugging away them.Have a great vacation.
I love hexies too. I have started in Aug and have over 60 flowers made using 1.5" hexies. I make them when ever I am waiting..soccer practices, dance classes, long car rides. My hands are never idle it seems
What a wonderful travel project! I used to do yo-yo's for a yo-yo quilt. I like this, too.
I'm working on a Grandmother's Flower Garden as my vacation/soccer practice/swim practice/wait in the car for whoever project. It's a great take a long project.
I'm a hexie lover too. I don't know where I'd be on the road without these babies! Thanks for sharing.
I have a soft spot for hexagons, I started out quilting with them. Enjoyed your post thank you for sharing :)
I am truly amazed...at the POWER Madame Samm has!!! To be able to have someone write a post while ON VACATION...simply awesome! I am in love with hexies and before I go to that great fabric shop in the sky I am going to make myself a Queen-size Hexie quilt! Or die trying! xo, Nan
Sewing hexies in the sun, sounds like Heaven for this IL gal! I have not joined in yet but wow, I think I could! Love your projects and it is so like a quilter to see patterns everywhere we look, even a floor!
I"m with you Kasey. For years I've put off hand work because it seemed too tedious then a year or so ago I found myself seriously enjoying tacking down the binding on a quilt. Since then I've been using scraps to do the whole hexie thing. I've saved those cards from magazines to make my own english paper piecing pieces. I love the bag for the sewing kit. For the longest time I've used a plastic hinged box that I think was originally a sewing kit but is the size of a soap dish. Now I'm using a small plastic box that I added a fabric handle for carrying. I'll have to try that kindle cover. I love it. Enjoy the sunshine
I love making the hexies as well , they are relaxing and like you said very portable so I usually have some going especially in summer months I can sit outside and sew and they sew up quickly . Love the kindle cover , neat idea, the cover as well as the kindle , would love to own one!
I know the love for hexagons! They are quite amazing little shapes :) I am still working on my hexagon quilt. I am using 1 1/2" sides.. I like mine big.. I was thinking that when I finish this quilt (someday) I might like to collect some scraps of cute prints and do a scrap hexagon quilt with a fussy cut cute print on each hexagon.. and children and adults for many generations would have a wonderful time looking for their favorite picture..
Great guest! I am now following her blog. Although she is "quite" a bit younger than I, she is inspiring to me. I, too, use empty curtain and bedding plastic bags (with zippers) to store projects and take-a-longs on trips!
I am laughing at Nans pots, comment, the power of Madame Samm to still get you to post while on vacation. I am amazed how she did that.haha You are a jewel of darling to come through. Your hexagons oh yes, albeit they are as addictive as this blog. Thank you from Florida for sharing you with us. I enjoyed this post.
I love scrap quilts , I have one made from shirts on my blog at present .
I,m currently doing little boxes over paper as a change from hexes--cottonreel
Hexies are great because they are so portable, if you always carry some in your purse when you have a spare moment, just sew a few together and before too long you will enough to make something and best of all they use up small scraps that you can't really use for anything.
I'm not ready for hexies just yet but your pillow and Kindle cover are both wonderful!
I really need to try this out with some of my scraps. Love the pillow! I was raised in Indiana and all my family still live there.
Thank you for a reminder of the beauty of simple things and making do. I am overwhelmed with fabric (and my stash isn't large by most standards) and I often throw away wonderful tidbits that I know could be EPP'd into something neat. You have inspired me to rethink and repurpose some of my bits and pieces. Thank you for the lovely post.
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