B is for Blues ~ A Hexagon Quilt | Part 2

In case you are wondering what I have been up to ... this is it! Needless to say, the process of transforming the 108 hexie flowers from my previous work in progress blog post into a quilt top has been time consuming. Although I had already pictured in my mind how the hexie flowers were all going to fit together, I did spend much time pondering the final layout and the contrasting colors, including the use of the chambray - linen look - fabric for the joining hexie. Was it all going to work?

All photos have been taken after the removal of all papers.

Sometimes when you spend a lot of time staring closely at something, self doubt can creep in, you feel like you've lost your way, and you wonder if your project going to turn out as planned. I finally turned the corner of doubt once many of the units were pieced into long rows, and long rows were sewn together. This stage is probably my favorite part of English Paper Piecing; once the many individual units come together, a quilt top emerges!

Click on any image for a larger view.

I am super pleased with how the quilt top turned out. The color palette has plenty of variation; from deep dark navy to teal, aqua, and baby blue, mixed with a hint of green and shades of grey. The pops of bright yellow have added a ray of sunshine in all the right places. Yes, I did arrange and re-arrange the layout until I was happy with the overall composition of colors, ensuring also that no two the same hexie flowers were alongside one another. Inevitably something always sneaks past my close inspection. I am not perfect!

QUILT DETAILS

B is for Blues ~ A Hexagon Quilt
Quilt top measures approx 55 inches x 67 inches.
English Paper Pieced.

108 Blue/Green/Grey Hexagon Flowers.

88 White Hexie Flowers with (Black Centers).

Hexagon size: 7/8" SIDES.
Total Hexagons: 1861
Started: October 2018

Fabrics Used:

Quilting Cotton

(Many of the floral fabrics are by Japanese designer

Suzuko Koseki for Yuwa Fabrics).
Kona Cotton in White (Robert Kaufman)
Melange Yarn Dyed (Chambray - Cotton) in Natural by Lecien

TOOLS AND NOTIONS
 7/8 Inch Hexagon Papers (1861 hexagons)
7/8 Inch Hexagon Template with 3/8" seam allowance.
Water Soluble Basting Glue - Sewline.
Straw Needles - Size 11.
The Bottom Line 60wt thread by Superior Threads
in white (621), cream (655), and beige (652).

Let's for a moment talk about piecing the 88 solid white hexie flowers. Oh yes, that did test my strength of character: basting 500+ hexie papers with solid white fabric, then piecing the same hexie flower 88 times, over and again. I had to grit my teeth and set myself a daily target, and eventually slow and steady won the race, and it was worth it. 

The hexagon papers have been removed (all the photos here are of the quilt top after the papers have been removed) and this quilt top is now ready for basting and quilting. 

I am signing off until early next year, and wish all of my readers a joyous and peaceful holiday season spent with family and friends. Of course, I also hope you too get to spend some time with needle and thread!

Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2019,

Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
B is for Blues ~ A Hexagon Quilt | Part 1

More RPQ English Paper Piecing Projects:
A Scrappy Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt (September 2018)
Liberty of London Hexagon Quilt (September 2018)
Liberty Stars Quilt (January 2018)
Mandolin Quilt (May 2018)

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