Sunday, January 26, 2014

My Give-Away, Another hexagon tutorial and some Soupcon blocks


If you got here by way of 2 Bags Full's Grow Your Blog Party welcome and it isn't too late to enter my draw for a chance to win one of my hardcover needle books. You can see them here and enter by leaving a comment telling me if you would prefer the teal or the pink needle book should you win! There are more than 500 blogs to explore and some wonderful prizes to be won!


UPDATE: Have you visited The Needle and Thread Network? Why not check out WIP Wendnesday here. There's lots of inspiration to be found!

Okay it is time for another tutorial so let's continue to have some hexagon fun using my foundation pieced English paper piecing technique! So far I've showed you how to make this block


which is a variation of this block. There was a tutorial posted on January 19.


Before I get stared I want to share a HELPFUL TIP about foundation piecing. Sometimes it helps if you think about the paper hexagon with the lines on it as the wrong side of your fabric. The blank side of the paper hexagon would be the right side of your fabric. Have you ever cut patches, marked the sewing lines on the wrong side and then sewn your patches together? Well instead of drawing our lines on the fabric we are drawing them on the paper which will be attached to the wrong side of the fabric!

Today I'll make yet another variation of my star block! You will need a sheet of 1" hexagons which you can find here. Start by drawing your sewing lines to form the start points on the hexagons; you can find the directions in my January 19, 2014 post. You'll need six star points and one hexagon for the center.


You will now draw a horizontal line through the middle of each of the six hexagons. The pink line across the middle of the star point is the dividing line for the colours in the star point and the pink dashed lines on either side are registration marks that are used to line up the fabric. The numbers 1, 2 and 3 refer to the pieces and the order of placement.


To start you will need two strips of fabric for the star point. The should measure 1 1/2" x 6 1/4". Sew them together along the long edge an press the seam open. Cut six 1" slices. These pieces will be #1.


HELPFUL TIP: If you haven't tried my foundation pieced English paper piecing technique and you might want to cut your patches just a little large, say by 1/4". This extra little bit will give you some wiggle room.

You are going to want to line up the seam line with the pink dashed line on your hexagon template. For me the easiest way to do this is to draw a line on the other side of the hexagon template (the second hexagon in the picture below). Apply a dab of glue stick on the side of the hexagon without the sewing lines and be sure that the glue is in the area of the star triangle. Place the wrong side of your slice on the hexagon making sure to line up the seam line with the pencil line. HELPFUL TIP: Make sure that the fabrics are in the same position on each hexagon. I chose to have the darker fabric at the base an the lighter fabric at the point.


Another method would be to use a light box (a window will do) to line up the seam line with your line.


Line up a thin ruler or piece of cardboard on the line between #1 and #2, fold the paper back and trim the fabric leaving somewhere between 1/8" and 1/4".


Cut twelve pieces of fabric that measure 1 1/2" x 2 1/2". These will be your background pieces #2 and #3. Take one background piece and place it right side together with the star point. Shorten your stitch length and sew the background along the sewing line between #1 and #2, fold back the paper and trim the seam allowance down if necessary. I like to make sure that it is just inside the corner so that there is no bulk at the corner when I baste the fabric to the paper. For more detailed instructions refer to my post on January 19.



Repeat these steps for the other side and sew the seam between pieces #1 and #3. Your hexagon foundation piecing is completed so all you need to do is trim the excess fabric being sure to leave a generous seam allowance all the way around. I like to leave about 3/8" because it makes turn under and basting much easier.



If this is your first star please refer to my January 19 post for information about basting, especially along the base of the star point.


And here you have the finished star! I hope you like this one too because I've got more to come!


In five days I'll release Part 3 of my Soupcon Quilt Along pattern. I continue to be amazed at the creativity of those taking part! If I had to choose a favourite block it would virtually impossible. They are all so different and all so beautiful. Don't believe me? When take a look at all the eye candy on the Soupcon FLICKR group! You should visit to see what the block looked like before and then after it was embellished! They are awesome.

Jean Cockburn made oodles of blocks and she is now busy embellishing them.  What I love about this one is that the scalloped embroidered edge softens the hard edges so that all I see is gentle curves. It looks line hand painted china!


In this block Jean used a wishbone stitch for the leaves and there are little fuchsia French knots all around the center hexagon. Simple embroidery with dramatic results, beautiful results!


Since Jean last showed this block she has added curlicues and French knots and the result is a whimsical block chock full of coral-coloured goodness!



Jean has also embellished this block! The little delicate asterisks with French knots remind me of dandelion fluffs! Again, just a little bit of embroidery and the look of the block is changed in the most wonderful way!


Did you think Jean was done? Well you would be wrong because here is her fifth block embellished! Isn't it great? It looks like it has been beaded but those are lovely little French knots and lazy daisy stitches. Fabulous!


HUGE APOLOGY HERE! The following block was made by Talb9999. I had incorrectly attributed it to the wrong maker. Talb9999 embellished her block with little rosebuds. She was asked if these are wrapped ribbon but she said she didn't have any ribbon the right size so she used material and doubled it over to avoid rough edges. This is yet another embellishment that never occurred to me!



Happy Appliquer's sister-in-law made this block. She has embellished it with flowers, leaves and one fat bee who is drunk on nectar! Isn't this block gorgeous?


Sheila has completed her embroidery and man oh man is it lovely! The red embroidery really enhances the lovely robin's egg blue design. It never ceases to amaze me what a different a little bit of embellishment can make!


The very talented embroiderer Nellie has come up with yet another masterpiece. You can read about how Nellie embroidered the border of her block here. You really need to see this one close-up to appreciate the intricate design she has worked. 


Stitchin Witch had completed step 1 and she is off to a great start! Notice how she has alternated gold and white paisleys! It is very subtle but very effective!


I just checked back and now she has completed step 2! See what a difference a little bit of embroidery can make? It looks fuller and richer and gorgeouser (technically I should have said more gorgeous but to me gorgeouser sounds more expressive)!


Phew! Lots of pictures and lots of words. Hope you enjoyed both! Until I post again happy sewing and don't forget to go here and leave a comment to be entered in the draw to win a hardcover needle book!

Karen H

31 comments:

  1. I love seeing the results of my fellow participants in your SoupCon QAL. I'm having fun on this journey you're taking us.

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    1. It is a journey for me too! I just can't get over how creative everyone is and each block is more wonderful than the next. And I'm so glad that you joined in and that you are sharing your work with the rest of us!

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  2. Replies
    1. You are welcome - it is so much fun to share with others and see what they can do!

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  3. Pink!
    those blocks are so cool made by everyone. I finished mine. Now to iron it and do a post. thanks for another tutorial.

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    1. You are so right Carrie - they are cool! I can't wait to see yours too!

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  4. Your hexagons are amazing. I am not usually a paper piece fan, but your tutorial makes it very clear.

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    1. Thanks KatieQ. They are so easy to make and if 1" is too small you could always work with a larger hexagon!

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  5. Needle books are so dang useful! Teal is a beautiful color and am amazed at your hexagons...too advanced for me to try!

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    1. Needle books are useful even for non sewers - everyone needs a place to keep their needles! As for the hexagons they look difficult but they are actually pretty easy!

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  6. That new star hexie looks well worth the fiddle. Thank you for you help with my block and your kind words

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    1. I hope you'll try one of my hexies! As for the help you are very welcome but really all I did was plant the seed of an idea and you did all the creative part and the work!

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  7. Wow - you have really started something with all these fussy cut/embroidered stars and hexagons ! They are a visual treat , and your tutorials are excellent.
    Hilda

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    1. Thanks Hilda! All those embellished stars and flowers are fabulous. I am so happy to see that I can put an idea out there and people are running with it and creating some really beautiful things. It is exactly what I had hoped would happen!

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  8. I love the embroidered blocks! Thanks for sharing your blog. I can't wait to read more posts. I am an embroiderer participating in Grow Your Blog too.

    aprilsongstress

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  9. Thanks for your kind words. The wrapped ribbon block is not mine, but is by another imaginative quilter.

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  10. I am dreaming in hexagons....

    I'm loving what everyone is doing with their blocks!

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  11. Thank You for sharing so much of what you know. You truly have a gift. The Hexi's are Beautiful!

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  12. Wow your blocks are gorgeous! What a great tutorial. I'm not a quilter but think I could give it a go with your instruction. It is nice to meet you!

    Hugs
    Caroline

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  13. Another great hexie star! I love them!

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  14. Sara - your blog is a tremendous find! Thank you so much for following me, and I am pleased to follow you - I am so excited to be learning from you here. WOW :)

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  15. I do so enjoy reading your blog. Love all the hexies you've been showing us. The teal needle book is beautiful. lyn.robyn.smith@gmail.com

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  16. I am extremely upset atm. You are giving credit to someone else for my block?????

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    1. I overreacted last night. It was the icing on the cake of a horrible weekend that I had. Everything went wrong including someone stealing an idea of mine and claiming it as their own and setting me up to claim my work as their own as well. So when I saw your blog last night I flipped. My apologies for the drama.

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  17. Visiting from the Needle & Thread Network....I'm happy to see that you joined up:)

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  18. What fun blocks. It is lovely to see just how much embroidery changes the feel of the block.

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  19. Wow, I love those hexagon stars. :)

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  20. Wow! Great tutorials and blocks!

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  21. oh dear. I shouldn't have looked. You just blew my mind! lol Those are amazing!!
    wow.
    Thank you for linking up by the way : )

    and again,
    wow!

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  22. thanks for the pattern - hexagons are my new favorite

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