Sunday, April 1, 2018

Scrappy 60 Degree Hexagons


Adding More Blocks

Last week I played with some scrap blocks built around these 60 degree diamonds on Make It Happen Monday. I was curious if the diamond backgrounds were too busy, and how a solid would change the block. I had a teal print that read more like a solid in my scrap box, and gave it a whirl. I added 4 more blocks, and made some observations how they all worked together.



What's Good

I like the stronger contrast with the darker value diamonds. I'm curious about how other colors with similar value would look added in. I'm not opposed to the prints I originally tried as they add some sparkle and zip. 


The Next Play Time
Go BIG!

One drawback with these blocks is they take a while to make. The construction method is identical to a log cabin block, but 2 of the 4 sides are bias edges. That means extra care to make sure they're not stretched out of shape in each part of the sewing process, and trimming and squaring carefully. Next is a Y-seam to assemble the block, and squaring again for continued Y-seams to connect each block. The 4 additional blocks above were not speedy makes.

I think it would help to enlarge the initial diamond. These were 2" side to side with 1" scrap strips. Perhaps bumping it up to 4" with 2" strips, or 5" diamonds with a 2.5" strips or leftover jelly roll pieces. The scale would stay the same, but the whole process would produce bigger blocks.

Do you plan playtime for yourself? I have started creating a list of fun things I want to try, and I plan time each week. It doesn't have to take much time, but is a way to test out ideas or new techniques.


Last Week's Question 
& A New One for You

The majority of you squeeze many hours of sewing time into your week, but it depends on what else is going on in your life. I have been loosely tracking my real working hours for a week, but am aiming for a more accurate picture this month. I'm also trying to find a way to track my computer hours separately from sewing hours, but they are fairly evenly matched. I was surprised at that! I'll let you know what I find.


This Week's Question

What quilting skill or technique do you 
most want to learn & 
how do you plan to do it?


Come on, Doxie girls.



12 comments:

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

I meant to track my time....but forgot. LOL I think I need to write a note and post it on the door to my sewing room. Not really a technique, but I want to start being more creative and designing blocks/quilts. I want to be able to play in my scrap bag and come up with something.

Anonymous said...

Whenever I am at my work table or sitting at the sewing machine, I keep track of the time. Typically, the time is associated with a project so I pull the project sheet and document the hours. When I create a quilt label, I add the number of hours to the wording.

I will be starting work on a t-shirt quilt using the "On Point" fusible grid technique by Crooked Nickel Quilt Designs. I recently purchased Lisa's book and kit and am anxious to complete the t-shirt quilt for a friend.

Linda Swanekamp said...

I think my playtime is nil. I am always rushing to get something done. I would love to learn to longarm smoothly and proficiently- all original, not pantograph. . My skill level is not where I would like it to be and seems amateur. I have a huge backlog of tops, so the skill would be well used. Right now, I seem to be moving in wet concrete and cardio rehab takes 3 mornings a week.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

can't think of any new technique to learn right now, I guess I have done most that I want to do and those that I don't want to do I don't care to learn as it doesn't interest me

audrey said...

Love the scrappiness at work here! Very fun looking! I like to think of all my quilt time as 'playtime'. Of course it's not all just fun sewing, but it's my time away from the day to day grind. To answer your other question, I think trying to conquer my fear of diamonds is high on my list although I will probably do that cautiously. lol Also, I am very determined to continue my exploration of improv. work until it becomes more instinctive. There are parts of it that are becoming much easier to do, but other areas still make me practically break out in a sweat. Lots to learn!

O'Quilts said...

I love this!!!!

Sandy Panagos said...

The scrappy hexagons are SO fun! I agree that those with darker centers look better. They're all pretty cool, though. I'd like to do something besides meandering when I quilt. I may need to set aside some playtime for that.

Angie in SoCal said...

My time is evenly distributed between life, quilting, and computer. Now with spring here, that will have to change. I must get out into the garden. So it looks like I may be less time on the computer - maybe post less or make very brief posts - a photo and a caption? I would appreciate feedback on this action. TIA.

Angie in SoCal said...

I would really like to learn to make a collage quilt or mosaic quilt - there's a lot of stuff online and there's where I would start.

PaulaB quilts said...

I have been thinking about trying FMQ, however my true desire is to forget about the things I ought to be doing and start some improv projects. I've been collecting solids for a while in preparation, but it's time to just jump in. The WIPs keep nagging at me, but I need to shut out that noise. I have a Project Linus deadline in May. Hopefully I can meet that deadline, a guild charity day and enjoy being creative.

Kate said...

Love those blocks! They look so 3-D.

I'd like to learn how to make a Dresden Plate block. My UFO list is so big that I really want to whittle it down before I start something new. But maybe I should consider coming up with a plan for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge next year. That would give me a full 12 months to practice the skill (that's what I did to learn paper piecing). Thanks for the getting the juices going in that direction.

Christine Slaughter said...

These blocks really look amazing! I do love the teal fabric in the centers. I know how to do some basic EPP, hexagonal, but I have been so drawn to the Brimfield Block that I want to learn to do curves within EPP. I ordered the pattern, templates, and the papers and hope to start working on that within the next few weeks. I love how the Tula Pink De La Luna line looks with this block and the Brimfield Awakening quilt, so I want to practice making these and getting them down before I get started on cutting the Tula Pink fabrics (when they arrive in June).