Recently, I threw caution to the wind and joined not one, but two virtual bees. I've received fabric from one, along with inspiration for the block requested and I'm here to report that making this block has been so much fun that I'm kicking myself for not having joined one before.
The inspiration behind this block was supposed to be triangles and the gal who's month it is even put together a flickr gallery to help spark some ideas.
My idea actually came to me when I was playing around with some hexagons and thinking about this blanket. I wanted to create a concentric pattern like the blanket where the base shape was not a square. When I divided up the hexagon into three pieces and pieced those pieces using strips, I realized that when I sewed them back together the centers made triangles. Eureka!
I made the center triangle smaller and from a print to differentiate it from the surrounding triangles. I also added strips along the edges so that the block would measure the required 12.5" x 12.5".
I still haven't figured out how I want to interpret the blanket pattern as a quilt. I've definitely ruled out applique as that's never been my passion. I like to piece stuff. I know I could do this as a circle within a square, but there's something about that kind of piecing that feels so tedious. I've done it before and it always makes me sleepy. I think the hexagon is the answer and making this block is a step in the right direction.
That's why I'm excited about having joined these Bees. Someone else's inspiration can become your own and push you to try new things. That realization shouldn't be new to me....Maybe I just needed a little reminder.
I didn't want to sign off before I gave you all an update on the skirt tutorial. I'm hoping to post it tomorrow, so stay tuned.
6 comments:
I love that little idea....are you thinking of making a pattern or tutorial for it....I would love to make a little baby quilt for my neice who's having a baby...using maybe 50's feedsack fabrics.
Sweet little block :) I always love spotting fabric that I have in my stash...in this case, the green and black stripe and polka dot in the lower right-hand corner.
I am just in awe of your block - it's so fabulous! SO excited to be in a bee with you (and quite intimidated too) :-)
Your block is beautiful and very unique. I like it.
I took a class once from a woman who was all hexigons once. And one of the most master quilter woman I have EVER known works in backgrounds of hexigons. She's the applique maven of the universe otherwise. Joedy WIlson. I don't play like you do. I should.
I can't believe you were nervous about not fulfilling your end of the deal in a quilting bee. I joined two bees and then withdrew because I haven't quilted in years and then only for a short time. You're a fantastic quilter. I wasn't going to join one again for a year but I did when I found the perfect one for me and I'm still very nervous that I won't be able to do nearly as well as everyone else (where does this insecurity for all of us come from, I think middle school or junior high years) but who cares, they really are fun and you're right they help you push your own limits so good luck and from the looks of it, you're off to a great start. Good luck.
meecker2
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