Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons. Part 4

Creating Hexagon Rosettes.

Its been a couple of weeks since I wrote my last blog regarding the progress of the large hexagon quilt I am creating from a spare curtain.  Its been a bit boring creating seven hexagon rosettes out of the red and purple flowers extracted from the Gosford Cranberry fabric.   Pleased to announce that 25 rosettes have now been created and the design is about to get interesting.  I have laid them out randomly on the floor as the picture below shows.  Remaining are a few odd red flower hexagons and a big pile of hexagons created using the green leaves and buds.

I have also created a number of plain cream fabric covered hexagons to add to the mix.   I am really pleased that the rosettes are quite different in appearance.   

The fastest way to sew seven hexagons together is to lay the hexagons out to form a rosette onto a tray in the order that pleases you.  Use quality sewing thread and a sharp crewel sewing needle.  I use Gutermann 100% polyester and a size 10 needle.

The image below demonstrates the order the hexagons should be sewn together.  Sew the centre hexagon to an outer hexagon, wrong sides outwards.  The smaller your stitches, the stronger your work will be.  Start at the "start" point with three securing over stitches.  Sew the side of the hexagon to the corner and do a couple of overstitches.  Add the next outer hexagon and sew to the outer corner, secure with a couple of over stitches.  At this point you may have enough thread to make a loop back to the centre hexagon again.  Always secure with two or three stitches at each corner before you start on a straight edge.   Carry on until the rosette is formed.   This is by far the quickest way to create your hexagon.  On average it took me about 20 minutes to sew one rosette together.

I would like to point out the image below shows the front of the rosette.   Sew on the wrong side.  Use thread that matches your fabric.  If in doubt use beige or grey.   In the event that you sew a dark hexagon to a light hexagon use thread to match the dark fabric.  Do not remove any papers at this stage.

Above: finished rosettes:   Front view on left  and back view on right.

Please note on this occasion I have used fabric of different weights.  This will add texture to the quilt and its a personal choice.

See Parts 1,2,and 3 of my blog to discover how this stage was reached.

Part 5 of this blog will focus on arranging hexagons and rosettes into a design.

Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons. Part 3

Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons. Part 3

Part 3 - Sorting hexagons.   

After creating and covering with fabric as many hexagons as you can from the spare curtain its now time to sort and but into some kind of order.   There is only one way to do this and that is to put all the hexagons on a floor space that will not be disturbed.    Gosford Cranberry has a bold pattern with a large repeat.   I focussed on using as much of the flora as possible. Bearing in mind this design is being planned as I go along.   

Fabric covered hexagons from the spare curtain.

In this instance it became obvious that many of the hexagons were aubergine and yellow.   I put those aside and concentrated with what was left.    Soon little groups formed of hexagons with similar colourings and content.   Once a subgroup or rosettes had been formed I was then able to concentrate on finding almost replicas.   

Form similar hexagons into rosettes.

When I was a child we used to play "The Memory Game" which comprised of about 100 cards with images on.....the hexagon process reminded me of my childhood.   An easy way to quickly find replicas is to lay a line from a subgroup and replicas will become evident.   When you have six almost replicas form a seven hexagon rosette with a solid colour for each centre.

Identify similar hexagons by creating lines.

Strange how the 'red' does not work

The plan is to create as many seven hexagons as possible from the curtain.    Its strange how colours that initially seem to work well suddenly appear very "wrong" indeed.  I was convinced the red centre hexagon would be perfect.  It is not perfect and I will not be using it.   The same applies to the beige centre hexagon above.  It is not quite the right colour so I will not be using it.  Fortunately I have a slightly lighter cream which works really well.

Once happy with seven hexagons, stab together with a pin and place in sewing basket for sewing together later.   Its a good idea to take photos of your rosettes for reference when you sew together.

Leave remainder hexagons on floor until they are slowly eliminated into seven hexagon rosettes.   There will be odd ones left.   Be assured they will all be used.

Part 4 will continue this design process.  

Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons. Start with a spare curtain and design as you go. Part 1.

Create a patchwork quilt using large hexagons.   Start with a spare curtain and design as you go.

My last blog published a few days ago explained this would be my last hexagon quilt.   I would like to take this opportunity to show how to design a hexagon quilt without a pattern in mind.  On this occasion I am using a Laura Ashley Gosford Cranberry curtain measuring about 88" x 88".   I purchased two pairs for the bedroom, one window was smaller so split one curtain in half.  I hoped the spare curtain would make a bed throw but unfortunately it creased rather badly and started to irritate me.  Hence one of the reasons to make this matching quilt for the king size bed.

I want work to grow fast so I am using 10cm hexagons (each side measures 5cm).  I want the colours of the large flowers in the design to feature.  Designing cannot begin until I know how many large flower hexagons can be made from the curtain.

Place curtain on ironing board and iron.  Place a paper template over a flower and cut around giving at least 1cm seam allowance.   Its a large piece of fabric so I set a target of cutting 35 hexagons a day, and covered the paper templates with the cut flowers in the evening.   As a rough guide it took me about one hour to cover 30 hexagons.  Fortunately few distractions!

Keeping the remnants from the curtain for future use in the patchwork quilt.

Hexagon paper templates can be purchased from www.patchworktemplates.com if you do not wish to cut your own.

Part Two of the creation and design process will follow shortly.  Thinking ahead I have just remembered some fabrics that have been waiting for a project like this.  Must sort them out!

My last hexagon quilt. Big hexagons, fast work.

My last hexagon quilt.  Big hexagons, fast work.

I honestly thought I would not make another hexagon quilt.  This quilt is being created out of frustration of not being able to buy a bedcover to match curtains and carpet in our newly decorated  bedroom.  I do not have masses of time or the real inclination to make a big effort for this bedcover, neither do I want  it to be an expensive project.

Two sets of ready made curtains were purchased from Laura Ashley.  I just love the Gosford Cranberry design. The back window is smaller than the front, so I split a curtain in two which left one large curtain to make into a bed cover.   The floral design and colours looked great on the bed, but the curtain did not look nice.  It creased and is flimsy.  I searched for a ready made bedcover without success.  Nothing seemed to match the room and Laura Ashley could not help.

Reluctantly this weekend I have decided to create my last hexagon quilt.   Searching through my fabric stash I matched the spare curtain with some textured upholstery fabrics. The curtain and upholstery fabrics are different in weight and I am hoping this will create dimension.      I also purchased half a metre of Gosford Cranberry with a looser weave plus a matching stripe colour-way off the roll.  For speed I am going to use 10cm hexagons, each side measuring 5cm.  See www.patchworktemplates.com

chosen fabric with 10cm hexagons on Gosford Cranberry curtain.

I plan to update this blog frequently with my progress.   The hexagon patchwork design has not been planned yet.  

Laura Ashley Gosford Cranberry curtain on bed.

My first hexagons were sewn 45 years ago and my work since then has been well documented, see www.jackiewills.co.uk and http://www.youtube.com/thejaxcollection