It’s quilting related so it isn’t like it’s a whole new hobby or crazy idea. OK .. maybe it is a bit crazy, but I’ve had a love/hate relationship with hexagon quilts for a long time. Last night I was looking through some of the Houston Quilt Fest pictures and came across the La Passacaglia style quilts. Have you seen those? They’re basically hexies on steroids. They look crazy hard and crazy beautiful.
I printed off the guide for cutting from the linked website. I remembered seeing Judy’s Castle Wall blocks so I wrote her and said “IF I want to make them, what do I need?” She sent me a list which was basically the templates so I ordered those this morning. Mickey Depre is really the queen of hexies as far as I’m concerned and you can order the templates from Mickey or from Paper Pieces.
Mickey also has some great tutorials here.
This hand piecing project isn’t going to use up much fabric in my stash but maybe it will get me back in the sewing mood.
Now .. what are the chances of finding a thimble around here? Probably slim to none!
Kim Webb says
I have been seeing those quilts popping up in blog land. They are just stunning. I haven’t done any hex is before but have been thinking about trying a small project just to see if I like it.
You and Vince are both doing wonderful with your healthy choices. Thanks for sharing your progress with us.
obed101 says
I bought the whole set of paper pieces, the book, I worked out a pleasing group of fabrics to make a stunning quilt. I started hand piecing the first rosette. I loved it. The flood took all of it.
JOYCE says
I feel for obed. The
Fire took so much of my life. Flood ,fire or other disasters. IT effects us. BUT we still have the essential us and with determination we can heal and carray on.
Joyce says
Unrelated to this post since I haven’t looked at the hex quilts, but I ordered a Jawbone UP3 last week. It would have been delivered today, but I wasn’t home! Now I have to wait until Monday to go to the post office to pick it up. Rats. 🙁 I’m very interested to see how it says I’m sleeping. I’m also hoping it motivates me to do more walking.
Jan O says
While not for me to make, I’ve admired the La Passacaglia quilts, and this one’s the most beautiful I’ve seen, by Wendy of New Zealand: http://wendysquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/p/la-passacaglia-millefiori-quilts.html
Keep us posted if you decide to make one. It’s fun to watch the progress and see the choices each designer makes about the fabrics.
JudyL says
Thanks for the link. I did order the book but you know that doesn’t mean I’ll be starting one! Well, I’ll probably start one but probably not finish it.
Rebecca in SoCal says
Oh my! Those are all kinds of shapes! That is pretty different from machine piecing…
katie z. says
I love the blocks I see, and am so very tempted… but I think I have enough on my plate for now. I’ll gleefully watch your progress, so go right ahead!
Judy D in WA says
Yippee! Another friend in the rabbit hole!! This is going to me so much fun. Thimbles–I love the stick on thimble pads. I have fat/arthritic knuckles and a regular thimble doesn’t stay on any more. But definitely find a thimble. Can’t wait to play again. 🙂
Donna says
WARNING!!!! Hexies are addicting. Like eating potato chips you can’t make just one.
Andrea says
I have been living vicariously through others with this quilt. I love it! I’m in the middle of doing an EPP Grandmother’s Flower Garden, and I just can’t let myself start another handwork project until that one is finished. I love how individual they all are despite using the same pattern.
Sue in Desert Hills (Phoenix), AZ (formerly in Scottsdale, AZ) says
Several years ago I signed up for Mickie’s Hexie Craftsy class. I used my AccuQuilt Go! Hexie die to cut what was needed – both the papers (I used a heavy paper – almost card – stock I had in my office) and the fabrics. The particular die I have is not the one labeled English Paper Piecing but the original hex die they came out – die #55011 – Hexagon 2″, 3″ 5″ – it has 3 sizes of hexies on it and the 2″ and 3″ are the perfect sizes. I never got very far with the class – I really need to revisit it and try again.
Pale Blue Corner says
La Passacaglia is just incredibly beautifull. I was thinking also to try it, but don’t have the courage…
Cheers,
Emese
PS. I think your links go to some other themplates, but Paper Pieces deffinitely has the ones for La Passacaglia.
JudyL says
The link is for the Castle Wall block. I did break down and order the Millefiori book #2.
Barbara says
I have the book by Willyne Hammerstein, and the paper templates and two sizes of acyclic templates, one with 1/4″ seam allowance and the other with 3/8″ seam allowance. I bought it as a bundle off Mass Drop. I’ve purchased some fabric to start as I really don’t have, or want, a stash.
I’ve also been cleaning my sewing room for 3 months, lol. Between the need to finish the sewing room, putting the garden to bed for winter, vacation, and analysis paralysis about fabric, I haven’t started it yet.
You’re providing a push to help get me started. I should be able to finish the sewing room in the next few days and find a few hours a week for hand stitching.
I’m looking forward to following your progress.
Regina says
I think I want to make one – but maybe on a throw pillow scale instead of full on huge. I am working on a strictly EPP hexagon quilt now- it is my travel project so slow progress, but I do find it soothing to work on. Looking forward to seeing your progress.