Hexagon Learning Curve ~ Simple Living Toowoomba

Our Simple Living Toowoomba group held a very informative workshop on Saturday when our co-ordinator, Margy, showed us how to make hexagons.

I think I made a few hexagons back in the 1990s when I was helping my daughter with a sewing assignment in high school and she made a hexagon pin cushion from memory. However, that was the extent of my interest in them until recently when Margy decided to present a workshop. So I dug out a book I had bought each of my granddaughters a few years ago, Jane Bull's Stitch by Stitch, which is a great book to have on hand when teaching children to sew, knit and crochet even when you can barely do those crafts yourself (but don't tell them). I bought this book in a package with her other book, Made by Me, for $10 at Australia Post so if you ever see her books on special do snap them up as they are wonderful craft books.

My intention was to make a ball for my little grandson but I needed to make five-sided patches for that so went with the flow and thought I would get into the swing of things by practising with hexagons first. While we were all busy sewing at the workshop things got very quiet at times while we were concentrating on making those tiny stitches when sewing the hexagons together so that the stitching didn't show. :-) Margy also showed us how to make a Quilter's Knot which I had never heard of before. To be honest, I didn't even realise how popular hexagons even were as you can tell from this Pinterest page. I must say they probably could get to be a bit addictive. 

Margy brought along her beautiful quilt which has pride of place on her bed. It is made from 1008 hexagons, is completely hand sewn and took about eight years to complete. So it is definitely a heirloom.

She was saying what a huge job it was as, once she had sewn the hexagons together, she then had to quilt each one. However, the end result is just amazing and well worth the time and effort that she put into making it.

As usual, everyone brought along fabric in the colours they preferred...

...and several different sizes were made as well.

We had a number of Down to Earth forum members there as well. I had brought along a chilli plant for one of them and she very kindly gave me a seat belt cover that she had made. Isn't it great?

Even though it was a smaller workshop than usual we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves sitting around the tables sewing industriously. In May a gluten-free workshop will be presented so, if you live in the area and know anyone on a gluten-free diet, let them know about it as it will be a very informative morning. I will do a reminder post about the workshop soon but here are some details for those who would like to book in.

Gluten Free, Dairy Free Cooking Information and Demonstration

Date: 23 May
Time: 10-12 noon
Cost: $5
Where: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 23 Glenvale Road

Janelle will take you through some basic information about gluten, coeliac disease, and label reading; have a chat about ingredients, foods to avoid, and how to cook gluten free and dairy free on a budget; as well as give tips that will help children and adults live gluten free. She will also demonstrate how to cook with some of her favourite gluten free and dairy free ingredients, including quinoa and polenta.
Bookings Required: RSVP 19 May

The June workshop will be on organic gardening and will be presented by a horticulturist from Bunnings so do email me any questions you might have beforehand so that I can pass them on to him as he prepares for the workshop. Thanks heaps. 

Have a great week everyone. I can just imagine my Northern Hemisphere readers starting to thaw out now that it is warming up over there!