The Big Hex

Once in a while I get a brainy idea.  I mean a real doozey of a brainy idea.  Maybe you know the sort.  You think about it a little, then Google it, then think some more.  Then you get the idea that maybe there is something on YouTube about it.  Then you go and search for the video that will tell all.  Some time passes and you can't stop thinking about it.  Now it's not just a thought that you came across a few days ago, it's growing, it's on it's way to something big.  Really big.  And here it is, my really big, doozey of a brainy idea.  English paper piecing!  Didn't you know I'm the one who made it so popular today?  I mean seriously, it really must have been me, right? (A girl can dream!)

Last summer I decided to check out what this English paper piecing thing was, and look what happened...  I am now addicted.  That's right a hexagon-a-holic.  I fully admit it.  They say that's the first step to getting help, however, I don't think there is an HAA group for me to join, so instead I joined one that gets you through it by having you make more!! (See hexagon quilt along button in the side bar)

I couldn't find a pattern, so I made my own.  I ordered my pre-cut 1.5" hexagon paper pieces from http://www.paperpieces.com/ (the measurment is taken along one of the 6 sides).  I collected up some fabrics, tested out some threads, and (as they say) "had at 'er"!

This is how far I have come.  It is a slow process, but enjoyable.  Each piece of fabric is hand cut to the right size/shape, then it is hand basted with a non-matching thread (easy to find later when you have to take it out), and followed by a meticulous hand whip-stitching of the prepared hexagon pieces together.  Later, when all the pieces are assembled, the basting is taken out and the papers removed.

This shows my shaded-in grid of the finished quilt and the highlighting is how much has actually been assembled in terms of the grand project.  It will be approximately 85" x 100" at completion with around 1400 hexigons.

I have many favourite items when it comes to quilting projects, but these few are my faves for hexagons.  Clover #10 sharps.  They don't have to be Clover brand, but they work the best in the Clover needle threader.  I find that these easily pierce the paper, leave a smaller hole, slide easily, but are long enough to handle for extended periods of time.  My Gingher embroidery scissors with their personal hand-made glass thimble charm and leather protective cover.  And my tuffet (like the one Miss Muffet sat on) to keep my thin, nearly invisible needle safe when not in use.

Here is a lovely smattering of some of the pieces I have completed already.  Now I just have to keep basting the "pathway" hexagons in order to make everything come together.  I chose all Civil War reproduction fabrics.  The 8 hexagons forming the diamond are from one colourway and the center is an accenting light fabric.  Yes, there are repeat fabrics, but not very many considering there are 548 in the main body (there will be more if I decide to do an coloured outer border).

I thought it would be good to have everything planned out as I went along.  Here they all are...  The whole stack, in various stages of completeness - 548 hexigons ready to go!

I have made myself a deadline of December of this year.  I haven't broken it down to figure out how many hexies I have to do per day to make that deadline, too depressing I guess. 

I hope you all find your own really big, doozey of a great idea this week too!