Friday, April 1, 2016

Hexagon blocks of a different variety for The Empire Quilt

So why the silence? I was to have a bathroom renovation done. The work should have been done in four days but once the walls were opened there were problems with the plumbing. Major, costly problems. The result? Part of my kitchen had to be demolished to do the repairs so in addition to the total renovation of the bathroom, the kitchen must also be done. I had already packed up my bathroom and then had to pack up the kitchen AND worst of all I also had to pack up my sewing/computer room so that the workers could access the attic for the electrical work. The work is still not done. For the next couple of weeks I will be living out of boxes. I can't wait for this to be over with.

I've managed to tunnel my way to my computer in order to do a quick post about The Empire Quilt. I had said that there would be some different hexagon blocks for The Empire Quilt. Today I'll share two of them. Both are made with simple pieced blocks and hexagons. I dug into my stash of basted leftover hexagons. I never throw them out because they might just come in handy one day. The pink and green print in the pieced block is not at all in keeping with the scale and style of other prints used in the quit thus far but it works. Don't be afraid to combine your fabrics. If it doesn't work just do a little reverse sewing and try something different!


I think there are lots of possibilities for creating dimension with colour and value in this one but I decided to keep it simple. For example, I could have swapped out some of the grey fabrics for darker greys to create shading.


You be surprised at how fast and easy it was to make these blocks which combine traditional piecing with English paper piecing. It would be fun to make an entire quilt with blocks like this! Hey, I just gave myself a new idea. Maybe there's another quilt in the making!

There are two more hexagon blocks to share with you and they are bobby-dazzlers for sure! For now I have to work my way out of my sewing room because the contractors will be back shortly. There is white drywall dust and construction mess everywhere. I'm so done with it and eager to be done so life can get back to normal.

Until I post again, happy sewing!
Karen H

20 comments:

  1. Oh goodness, why are DIY/ renovation projects ALWAYS bigger than anticipated. Yours sounds like a major upheaval with both bathroom and kitchen out of commission. I feel for you. Can you even brew a pot of stress relieving tea? Hope it finishes up quickly. Your pieced/ EPP blocks are stunning.

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  2. Hi Karen. Uff, I hope, all the work is done quickly in your house and you can soon "move" in again .
    Lots of Love
    Marina

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  3. Went through something similar to that for our bathroom renovation about 10 years ago. Oh the mess and the time! And it turned out to be the hottest week of the year. One day it was 113! Love those blocks - so different.

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  4. Sounds stressful, builders tramping round our homes can be such torment. And costly! Keep calm and hand stitch when you can for sheer therapy as much as enjoyment :)

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  5. Ohhh I hear you, your reno sounds SO stressful, to have the house turned upside down. Sending hugs! I hope that it will finish up quickly. Your blocks are so different from what you have been doing lately. I am really curious how this is all going to come together. I hope the weather is warm enough for you to escape outside for a bit once in a while.

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  6. Ok I am of the positive comments section. Soooo good that you found out about those plumbing issues during your remodeling of the bathroom than after.
    I have never been able to redo or remodel our small home but I have heard from everyone who has it takes so much longer than you ever thought it would and adding on an unexpected kitchen redo just adds more time and the chance to choose different sink, counters just be mindful of delaying building steps if your chose items that have a wait time or if you take extra time to decide on different components.
    I think it is a hard balance of budget time and what compromises you can live with and be happy you are taking care of plumbing problems now

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  7. Sorry to hear about all the renovation glitches. I can relate. I have an old farm house which seems to need constant up grades. I thought that I might gain some time to get caught up with the hexie project but you seem to be able to keep going even when the house in a mess.
    Keep it up. I love to see what comes next.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Katie - Sorry I couldn't send you a personal note but you are a no reply blogger! :-(

      No matter how busy I am or what is going on in my life I try to make time to sew every day. It makes me feel good.

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  8. I am pleased to know you are OK, I was getting a little concerned not to see you posting. You have my sympathy. We lived with builders dust, no kitchen and certainly no sewing space for the first 9 months we lived here. I do hope you will soon be back to some kind of normality, although you will be cleaning the dust for weeks after they leave...

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  9. I grew up with reno`s my parents were always renovating so I do understand your post today. The comfort is these wonderful designs you come up with and the new throne that will help you keep dreaming of quilts to come..LOL

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  10. Very nice Karen - Here is hoping the remodeling is over with soon!

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  11. Love those combination hexie/piecing blocks! I can't wait to see more. I see how the shape fits with your previous reveals, but I'd love to see something like that where the hexies are symmetrical all around, or something else where the hexies play a bit larger role.

    You have my sympathy with the reno woes. We gutted our kitchen and remodeled a few years ago, and that was a serious life disruption! Worth it, though. Now we are looking at doing the bathrooms, and I am really worried about the possibility of finding problems when we open up the walls.

    Hang in there -- it will be worth it when it's done!

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  12. Karen, oh my life has gotten very busy. But I've managed to find some lovely fabrics to use in your quilt along. Sounds like your reno interruptions have been frustrating. Take care. I've been doing scrappy hexies to keep my fingers limber. Looking gorgeous!!!

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  13. Dear Karen,
    I am feeling with you, so sorry you are stuck in such a mess. I know how it is, have been renovating old houses for nearly 30 year now. Your world is not o.k. at the moment, and cleaning up the white dust is extremely time consuming. One time I even had it on the hangers in the closets. Hope for you that it is over with soon.
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

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  14. I notice that you are not deterred from your creative abilities while your house is in chaos love how your mystery is coming along!

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  15. Hi Karen, Sorry to hear about your renovation problems, workmen always seem to find that extra something that needs repairing. Apart from the mess and white dust that lasts for months, just think of that new bathroom AND kitchen. Pretty hexie work as always, love the pink and green.

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  16. Hi Karen! Just popping by to wish you a Happy Birthday and hope you had a wonderful day! Am currently working on my first hexie quilt ;) Ever since I tried EPP I find it amusingly addicting haha! Much love, Lia

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  17. Wow! Sounds like an adventure with all the renovation! Hope things will all get completed and back in order very soon! So fun to catch up on your blog. The Hexie blocks are looking wonderful!! Can't wait to see more!

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  18. I hope the renovation is close to completion and life gets back to normal for you! I'm looking forward to seeing your progress on the Empire Quilt. Take care!

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  19. Hi Karen,
    For some reason, you've disappeared from my inbox!!
    I've re-followed you again and hopefully won't miss anymore of your posts.
    This Empire Quilt is stupendous@!@!

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