Stars meet Hexagons ( my version of the quilt from the book 'Promenade in a Dutch Garden')
The centre is finished and all papers removed. Now for the outer border.
First I stitched on a 6 inch solid border in a dark beige/ light tan shade.
I love the antique Dutch quilt on which this pattern was based - with its amazing applique border. Here is a picture from the book.
I pulled out some red fabrics (toiles and florals) to see if I could maybe, perhaps, give a broderie perse applique border a try - but it wasn't working for me. So what to do?
I fussy cut the fabrics and prepped 1 inch English Paper Pieced hexagons - the same size used in the centre of my quilt top.
...and made some 'daisy chains'. I'm sure you can guess where this is going. Hopefully there will be more to show next post.
Meanwhile I have really enjoyed hand quilting my Four Block Applique quilt - and true Christmas colours there.
Here is the quilt with all outline hand quilting done - around every applique shape. In this light my thoughts are "not nice, not nice at all - definitely more quilting needed!"
Adding some centre grid work to the blocks:
Adding parallel lines on the background. For this I am marking only by scoring the fabric - it shows up beautifully in the hoop and disappears under the stitches.
I've discovered I can download library audio books onto my ipad and listen as I stitch - what a fabulous free service ! I can hand applique, hand piece or knit while watching TV - but I just cannot hand quilt and watch. So the audio books are perfect.
A friend and I had a do-it-yourself Christmas Card workshop at my house - hoping for a patchwork look with fabric and stitching. It was lots of fun but I'll not be making a business of it - strained my creativity to the very limit!
Here is Benjamin Biggs Wedding quilt Block 11.
Yep - that looks a lot like Christmas too ?!
The end of year get-togethers have started - always nice to round-up and catch-up with family. Hope you are enjoying the Season !
Love your red hexi quilt and your quilting is looking lovely.
ReplyDeleteYour creativity is flowing beautifully. I always feel inspired by your projects and blocks. You must have an amazing stash!
ReplyDeleteNice eye candy for a Monday morning. YUM!
ReplyDeleteOh my.....Hilda, your Stars meet Haxagons is so awesome !! I love the fussy cutting, and your choice of fabrics....ouuuh !!
ReplyDeleteAnd your quilting on your appliqué will almost be finihed for Christmas !! Red and green are the best colours !!
Thank you for sharing these lovely photos and ...bravo !! :)))))
I am just loving all the red and green. I have missed the last few posts and what a treat this morning to read them all. Such lovely work and beautiful eye candy. I think you may have inspired me to get back to Beenjamin Biggs too.
ReplyDeleteRed is my favorite, so of course, I really love all of your projects! Your hand quilting is looking great - I just love the look of cross hatching - it always catches my eye.
ReplyDeleteOh now I am in the Christmas spirit. Thank you for sharing these beauties. I am so inspired. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteI can picture the hexie border - lovely! it will look great on the white background with your hexies. love those Christmas cards too
ReplyDeleteYou have such a beautiful collection of red fabrics in these quilts, so very pretty. I like to listen to the audio books also while I sew. I found some of the classics in iTunes university also done in audio, I recently listened to Anne of Green a Gables, I had never read it as a child. Happy holidays
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful eye candy this morning!
ReplyDeleteWow, your red projects are all stunning. The white border is the perfect compliment, with or without the hexagon border. Enjoy your hand quilting and audio book!
ReplyDeleteHilda I am in love with your very christmassy looking hexagons and now I need to make a start on one to add to the collection. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteYummy Yummy love the reds! Your red and green quilt is really coming together with your wonderful hand quilting stitches. It is interesting how you outlined the whole quilt and then come back and are working on the background. I complete all the stitching in an area and then move on! That hexie quilt is just stunning can't wait to see the applique you will add to the border!
ReplyDeleteWow! That hexi quilt is so beautiful. Can't wait to see what's coming next with the daisy chains. I agree the four block appliqué needs more quilting. It will sing a different song after. I also love the home made cards. So cute. Great job.
ReplyDeleteYou do such gorgeous work! I love your red and white star quilt. That antique border is something else -WOW that's a lot of Broderie perse!! I look forward to seeing how you use your hexagon chains :0) your handquilting looks beautiful! I hope it is progressing pain free! I've never been able to make that scoring Hera marker thing work for me - I always use tape :0) I am certain that once you've added some more quilting you will love it! The cards are beautiful as well.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Everything is just beautiful. I admire your work, such beautiful applique and hand quilting. Can't wait to see the borders on the Stars Meet Hexagons. Thank you for sharing your lovely work.
ReplyDeleteAll those wonderful fabrics in your Stars Meets Hexagons. It's really beautiful. Looks like you've got s plan for the border. Scoring lines for quilting is a perfect solution to marking without putting any marks on the quilt. The filling that you're adding makes a big difference.
ReplyDeleteYour red hexie quilt is beautiful--Learning EPP is on my 2015 quilting bucket list
ReplyDeleteYour Stars Meets Hexagons is inspirational and your Four Block Applique is looking wonderful, the colours are perfect for Christmas. Also love your Benjamin Biggs, you're doing well to keep up.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely quilt projects, Hilda. I'm looking forward to seeing your hexagon chain. Sure looks easier than all that applique! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYour work is beautiful, Hilda. Love the reds you are using at the moment :-) I'm interested in seeing how your border develops and loving how your quilting is looking.
ReplyDeleteLove your Hexagon/Stars quilt!! I am making a Hexagon charm quilt (no stars) but seeing yours means mine is not busy enough!! Your border idea seems like the perfect finish!!
ReplyDeleteWow, I think I say that every time I visit your blog, All your projects are so beautiful!! Those reds and your fussy cutting in your paper piecing top is glorious. Your handquilting looks wonderful on your four block quilt. The recipients of your Christmas cards will appreciate the design and time you've spent making them, they look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is gorgeous! What is a daisy chain? Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteYour Stars meets Hexagons is gorgeous - what a fabulous collection of reds. And the four block quilt is fabulous, too. I invite you to link to Hexie Weekend to show off these treasures. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning quilt that is going to be - all those wonderful yummy hexagons and stars! I do like your red mood...;o)
ReplyDeleteOh Dear...I just left a comment on the wrong post. You'll see it on the previous post.
ReplyDeleteI love your hand made cards too.
WOW! I love your Stars Meet Hexagons. Stunning! I am making a pattern to do the same. Was there an order you sewed them together? THank you.
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