Value Proposition QAL - Block 11

It's time for Block 11 in my Value Proposition Hexagon Quilt Along (QAL). We are more than half way done....only seven full blocks to go and 2 more partial blocks that are used to fill out the sides of the quilt. In this installment you can try something new.....make your own fabric with a pen made for fabric. I used Sakura Pigma pens to draw some little images on six hexagons that were the lightest value and I used them in the Round 1 Light value fabric. I'll explain how to do it a little further on! I encourage you to give it a try but if drawing isn't your thing then you can fussy cut your fabric (or not)!

Value Proposition Map for Block 11

Value Proposition Recipe for Block 11

• Cut 12 Light* identified as A on Map (6 for Round 1 and 6 for Round 2)
• Cut 12 Medium** identified as B on Map (for Round 3)
• Cut 1 Medium-dark identified as C on Map (for Centre)
• Cut 12 Dark identified as D on Map (6 for Round 2 and 6 for Round 3)

* I used two different Lights. I used six of them for my drawings with Sakura pen in Round 1.

** I went scrappy with my B hexagons because it is a great way to repeat fabrics and give a scrap quilt a more cohesive look however you could use a single fabric or just a couple. 

My Value Proposition Block 11

This is my block in colour. The six hexagons in Round 1 have little floral motifs drawn with Sakura Pigma pens.

You can use any type of pen as long as it is safe for fabric! If you look closely you'll also see I've done some markings along the edges where the hexagons in Round 1 are joined.

How did I do it? The first thing I did was to select the light fabric I wanted to use. I applied masking tape to the wrong side to stabilize it for the drawing. You could also use freezer paper or painter's tape.

On the right side I drew my flower freehand. You'll find it easier to work with a pen with a thicker tip; in the picture below I've used an 01 but an 05 size would have made for a darker image.

HELPFUL TIP: If you are nervous drawing freehand sketch out your image with a non permanent fabric marking tool like a Frixion pen. When you are happy with the motif you can then take your permanent market to the fabric.

When I was satisfied with my drawing I removed the tape from the back. I applied a dab of fabric safe glue stick to the hexagon and applied it to the wrong side of the fabric making sure the flower was reasonably centered. I held it up to the light to make sure.

I trimmed the fabric leaving a nice seam allowance. I like a generous seam allowance. The hexagon was basted as usual.

I added the ink to the lower side edges to give the hexagon an aged look and I did it before I pieced the hexagons. This marking is optional; feel free to omit it or if you prefer to add your own touch by all means do so!  So there you have it! I made my own fabric and hope you'll give it a try. Start with one and if you don't like it then do whatever tickles your fancy! It is your quilt so make it your way!

I set up a Value Proposition QAL page on Flickr so that you can post pictures of your blocks and also see what others are doing! There are many very different and exciting blocks to see and there are also some pictures showing a bunch of blocks arranged together and that is very exciting to see! 

If you are looking for previous Block installments of my Value Proposition Hexagon QAL you will find all of the links under the tab Quilt Alongs by Karen H just under the banner. Have fun making Block 11. Block 12 will be available on September 19, 2014.

I hope you are having fun with my QAL! If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. I send an email response to every comment so if you don't hear from me it means you are a no-reply blogger and I have no way of contacting you (unless you leave me your email address).

Until I post again, happy sewing!
Karen H

Making it right

I was putting off cutting the patches for one of my Godstone Grannies block because I just couldn't find the right fabric in my stash. I finally decided to take my own advice and make it right! I selected a fabric with a dark print on a pale grey background but I wanted something that had a yellow tint to it so that it would be a little softer and work with the yellow center. The solution? My Sakura Pigma pens! On the left you can see the fabric and above and below the hexagon block are a yellow pen and a black pen.

I used the yellow pen to soften the grey background and give it a soft, pale yellow tint. The black was used to darken the bottom edge of the hexagon and also to create a slight curve to create a secondary design. The hexagon on the left has been colour adjusted and the hexie on the right is "au naturel"! It is a subtle difference but that's all I needed.

In the next picture you can see that  the top three hexies have been altered and the bottom three are plain. I am much happier with the top three.

When all six are adjusted you can see the black shading around the center hexagon adds more visual interest!

So everything was going along smoothly until another problem arose! My yellow pen ran out of ink! But you know me.....problem/solution is my way of working! I knew I had a bottle of textile medium so I hauled it out along with my watercolour paints. I mixed up a little paint with the textile medium and did a test hexie. The hexagon on the left is au natuerl, the middle hexie is tinted with the pen and the hexie on the right is painted with the textile medium and watercolour paint. The painted hexie is a little darker than the hexie coloured with the pen but I think I like it better and it works with the center. So I'll baste all of the hexagons, paint them and then heat set the paint to make it permanent!

So if you find that you need a particular fabric for a block but don't have it in your stash, experiment! You might just come up with something really special!

Until I post again, happy messing around!
Karen H

What to do when the fabric isn't quite right and a BIG surprise!

Sometimes you have a fabric and it isn't quite right. I have a lovely red maple and oak leaf fabric and it has the odd bunch of acorns here and there. I love this fabric and used it to make a quilt and have fussy cut leaves for wallhangings.

I used this fabric to make a One Block Wonder quilt. I was very happy with the finished quilt top however the white highlights on the acorns stuck out like a sore thumb and since the similar blocks are clustered together when making a One Block Wonder the white was more prominent than it was in the fabric. Problems need solutions so what I did was use a Sakura Pigma Brush (it is like the Sakura Pigma pens only it has what looks like a felt tip so it gives more ink coverage) and I gently ran it over the white highlights.

In the picture below the acorns is the upper left corner have not been altered. The acorns in the lower right corner have had brown ink applied to them.

 This is the quilt. I think is looks rich and elegant....maybe a bit like a Persian carpet or a paisley.

These are some of the blocks which had a lot of acorns. The white has been softened with the brown ink so that they are much better.

And the corner with a mitred corner - I used my sneaky mitred corner technique (you'll find it under Tips and Tutorials). I also touched up the acorns in the border fabric and on the binding!

 



You can also use this same technique if you've quilted with a light coloured quilting thread and have inadvertently strayed onto a darker fabric. If the quilting thread is noticeable simply take a fabric marking pen in a colour that works with your fabric and gently touch the quilting thread to mute the colour. You don't want to hold the pen on the thread because it will wick up the ink - just lightly touch the stitches to soften the colour.

 

Well I've got some good news for you! The English paper piecing and foundation pieced hexagon instruction manuals that I've been promising should be posted tomorrow! The first is titled Easier Than Pie - English Paper Piecing for Beginners. The second is titled Easier Than Pie and Beyond - Where Foundation Piecing Meets English Paper Piecing. Here are some foundation pieced hexagons to tempt you!

  

 

I will also be posting Master Hexagon Templates for your use. You will be able to print or copy what you need and then cut them out. I prefer to cut out my own hexagons because precuts can get expensive if I am making a large quilt. 

 

I hope you'll enjoy the instruction manuals and the templates and if you want to post a link my blog so that others can access my instructions that would be terrific!

 

Until I post again, happy sewing!