These last two weekends have been a whirlwind of quilt (top)-making for me. Here is the strip quilt I pieced last weekend waiting to be backed, quilted and bound.
it ended up measuring 60 X 73 and I will hopefully have it done in the next two weeks. My husbands parents are coming to visit this week, so hopefully I will be able to carve out some time to work on it.
THIS weekend I did something I never thought I would ever do. I made a hexagon quilt top (out of 5 inch hexagons which are pretty big, but still!) I never wanted to make one because I thought I would have to hand sew it together. And that just wasn't going to happen. I love to sew, but i like to go fast! When I found this link via Kathy at Pink Chalk Studio, my dilemma had been solved. I could in fact machine piece hexagons with the info given there. Hurray! I do love a good hexagon quilt and I am totally in love with this process.
I'm not usually one to plan a project too much, I usually just start cutting and sewing and see what I end up with. I decided to go a different route with this quilt top though. It's a birthday gift for my dearest friend (who has been banned from reading my blog until I complete and give it to her) who is very intentional with most everything she does. So in honor of being intentional (but still random) and honing my ability to be patient and actually plan, I picked up all the hexes I had haphazardly arranged on the floor and started laying them out in flowers. The next part nearly killed me. I had to leave out half of the hexes I had cut out and cut more of a background color. (I tried to get a really good photo, but there's some weird shadowing at the top right corner, along with the ends of the clothespins)
I'm calling this quilt "the Storyteller". Each piece of fabric in this quilt has a story. The fabrics were either given to me or is a fabric that Glynis has mentioned she likes. For instance, do you see that orange and blue floral fabric in the center of the "Polly goes to Paris" flower? Glynis gave that fabric to me in the form of a dress that was cut out, darted, and ready to be sewn together. It belonged to her grandmother. And do you see the sweet little hexes from the flights of fancy line and the orange Amy Butler polka dots? Those were from some scraps Sheree sent to me with an order a while back. I could go on and on about each and every fabric in this quilt top. I love quilting like that! I'm still thinking about what the back will be, but I also hope to have it finished in the next week or two.
Have a great week everyone!
p.s. I made a loaf of this oatmeal banana bread this weekend and it's my all time favorite banana bread. The oats add a lot of texture and make it substantial. One tip, use the walnut oil. It's real good. Oh, and I did not whip the egg whites and it turned out fabulous. Next time I'll follow the directions better, I promise!
WOW. That is so cute! And I spotted the Sandi Henderson you made my apron out of in there!
Posted by: amylouwho | 21 June 2009 at 07:58 PM
This looks lovely. thanx for stopping by my blog. i love your tutorials so actually i should be thanking you=)
Posted by: fabricfairy | 21 June 2009 at 09:42 PM
I like to look of the hex one it looks like something my grma would have made. Good job!
Posted by: Jody Blue | 21 June 2009 at 10:23 PM
Penny, you did an amazing job on that quilt! Super lovely! Would love to hear more stories about the fabrics!
Oatmeal added to banana bread is awesome too not to mention the extra fiber you'd be getting.
Posted by: Christy | 21 June 2009 at 11:14 PM
Both of those quilts are absolutely beautiful! I never have the patience to do anything other than block quilts. :D
Posted by: Chiemi | 22 June 2009 at 07:05 AM
Those are both great quilts! I'd love to see a tutorial of the hexagon one. Seeing the directions without pictures kind of makes my brain seize up.
Posted by: MichelleB | 22 June 2009 at 08:06 AM
Great job on the quilts, Penny. They are lovely and so cozy with lots of love for the user. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Arlene | 22 June 2009 at 09:22 AM
I am in love with your "storyteller" quilt! It's so beautiful and summery. AND, I have a banana oatmeal bread/muffin recipe that is super similar to the one you made. We enjoy it often. Yummy.
Posted by: karineyh | 23 June 2009 at 07:19 AM
Wow - the quilt is wonderful, Penny! And all those hexagons - I'm headed over for the machine piecing lesson - thanks a bunch!
Cheers!
Posted by: Candace | 23 June 2009 at 01:36 PM
Penny, You have outdone yourself with the hexagon quilt. LOVE IT! I love the name also and the story that goes with it. It is grea! They are both great, but the hex steals my heart!
jenn
Posted by: jenn | 23 June 2009 at 03:21 PM
How wonderful that each piece is so special and has a wonderful story to go with it. Beautiful work as always!
Posted by: The voice of melody | 23 June 2009 at 05:25 PM
I love the hexagons! It's very beehive like;)
Yummy recipe, that is a keeper.
Posted by: Marjorie | 23 June 2009 at 06:50 PM
Great quilts Penny -- I love Love LOVE those hexagons and the fabrics you've chosen for them. What a lucky friend!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 23 June 2009 at 09:37 PM
The hexagons look fabulous! Wow! ooxx`jodi
Posted by: Jodi | 24 June 2009 at 10:27 AM
Hi there,
i have awarded you a Kreativ blogger Award!
check out my blog to copy and paste the award to yours!
The hexagons are fabulous!
Posted by: Kelly O. | 24 June 2009 at 02:51 PM
Beautiful tops Penny! I love the "storyteller" for your hex quilt - so many memories and ties built in for your friend. She will cherish it!
Posted by: Amy @ parkcitygirl | 24 June 2009 at 11:13 PM
Wow, Have I been out of touch a while!! A whole new look...looks good!!! Your quilts are beautiful! I especially like the hexagon one. Very sweet! Hope you are having a wonderful summer!!
Suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne | 26 June 2009 at 05:32 AM
girl, i disappear for a bit and come back and look at all this quilty goodness. amazing. i especially love the hexagons...every quilt needs a story and this one has loads.
Posted by: jacquie | 26 June 2009 at 11:17 PM
Hi, Penny! My schedule has kept me from the blogging world for so long that I just had to make yours my first visit! I'm so pleased to be all caught up with you now. Your projects look wonderful, as always. I love that apron!
I've been lamenting the fact that I was unable to participate in the scrap swap, especially now that we're moving overseas. I'm holding out hope that Africa will afford some unique fabric choices that aren't available here. But let's face it, I'm sure that will eventually get old. :-)
Anyway, I've enjoyed visiting your blog. It's always a treat!
Posted by: Dayna | 27 June 2009 at 07:18 AM
I've always wanted to learn the way patchworks are done. They are so facinating and draw much attention when you decorate your home with them. Nice work
Posted by: poker en ligne | 26 March 2011 at 08:57 AM