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.
As usual, everyone brought along fabric in the colours they preferred...
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!
How nice to all sit around sewing together. I looked at the Pinterest board and really liked a cot quilt I saw in soft colours.
ReplyDeleteI like the hexagons as every little scrap can be used up and become something beautiful.
We had some rain and it's cold tonight. Have a wonderful week! Xxx
Annabel, it was lovely I must say. A cot quilt wouldn't take as long as Margy's queen size quilt! The hexagons are small enough to fit into a handbag and can be made when waiting for appointments, etc. It is meant to be raining here but we haven't had much at all. I have a T shirt on as the cold snap hasn't arrived yet. :-)
ReplyDeleteI will just enjoy your hexagons vicariously - way out of my skill zone I'm afraid.
ReplyDeletePhil, you could add it and crochet to your list of things to learn. LOL!
DeleteI have always loved hexagon quilts and placemats. Last week, at the charity shop where I volunteer, two huge bags of individual hexagon pieces came in. They were about 8 inches across, more than a hundred, and ready to be joined. Unfortunately, they had been stored in a damp place, probably a basement and were spotted with new and old molds, had rodent droppings in the bags, some had been chewed and the smell was stunning...in a bad way.
ReplyDeleteSuch a waste I kept thinking, as I put them in the garbage container.
J, I agree that was a real waste. What a shame they had been stored badly. Such a loss.
DeleteThat sounds like a great workshop. The quilters knot looks like something I could practice for hours and still not mange to end up with a knot. I have trouble with french knots in embroidery - hmm maybe I should watch a youtube video on that. Your hexagons turned out perfect. You must be very happy with them.
ReplyDeleteSherri, Margy showed us how to do it a little differently from the method in the link but it was too hard to take a photo of myself making the knot. LOL!
DeleteI wish I like to quilt.. I do love quilts.. Just not making them.. You are so smart.. xo
ReplyDeleteFaye, I won't be making a quilt but I like looking at ones like Margy. It makes me tired just doing that and thinking of all the hours of hard work that went into making them.
DeleteI love this quilt and have always wanted to make one as a lap quilt. I wonder if it could be quilted as you go along as well. Have you ever done the cathedral window pattern? I love that one as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the share.
Krystal, the closest I have come to doing quilting are the rag quilts I made for my granddaughters. Margy sewed the hexagons onto the backing fabric before quilting each one.
DeleteThat looks gorgeous Nanna Chel. This is something I just have to accept will not be in my skills set in this lifetime. I just do not have the patience. But I truly love patchwork, and admire it greatly. How gorgeous to sit with like minded friends and stitch together. I can imagine nothing nicer. Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteMimi, I intend to make twelve pentagons to join up to make a ball for my grandson. That will be my limit too.
DeleteI have a feeling that hexis are as addictive as quilts! Love the seat belt cover and it looks quite simple to construct.
ReplyDeleteShirley, have a look at ' Seat belt covers' on Pinterest. Heaps of tutorials come up. You would find them so easy to do.
DeleteLove the look of hexies but I do not have the patience for them! I get about 5 or 6 done and have to walk away, think I have about 10 in a bag somewhere-at this rate I could have a Barbie blanket in a few years! :)
ReplyDeleteYou might have to make a Barbie blanket for you grandchild one day, Kathy. So you might as well start now. :-)
DeleteNanna Chel,
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely adding Hexie quilts on my to-do list. I'd probably have enough scraps to get a quilt top done too. Maybe not in this century. But worth a go.
-Shiralee.
Shiralee, I can just see you working away on a quilt...after you have finished your rag rug of course. LOL!
DeleteSounds like you did a new learning curve.
ReplyDelete