It's been 5 months since I blogged but I'm working on something that I want to share with fellow quilters and this (blogland) is the place that we always found each other :-)
I've recently gone to work 40 hours a week as an inhome caregiver for a 93 year old man. There is plenty of down time and I need to keep busy so I thought I'd start on a hexie quilt.
(found here )
First off--I'd NEVER consider such an undertaking without Sizzix dies. I use the 1 1/4" side size for the fabric and the 1" side size for the paper template. Each die cuts four at a time PLUS you can cut 5 or 6 layers at a time. Not to mention the accuracy! For the paper template I use freezer paper (kind of like waxed paper with MANY creative uses). You lay the shiny side down on the backside of the fabric and it temporarily *bonds*...long enough to baste down the sides. anyway. When I first started I found a couple of good tips in this video (AFTER she wastes her time buying paper templates, cutting fabric by hand, and putting tape on each piece :-] ) Mainly around how to baste down each edge and then whip stitch. ALSO the tip about not removing the paper templates until every edge of that piece has been sewn to another.
A few of these little pieces, a needle, thread, and scissors, can keep you busy for hours!
This was my first finished 'block'. It literally took all my free time at my client's home for two solid weeks! I thought, "I'M probably going to be 93 by the time I finish this!!" But it is going faster now (I started my second big star last Tuesday and am finishing it today) plus I've mapped it out based on the one star component measuring 18x21 as shown and deduced that I only need 16 full stars. Yes, lots of filler blocks needed, but that's how I'm making it feel do-able for now ;-)
I'll try to pop in from time to time with progress reports. Wish me luck!
hi Jen. will be thinking of you and praying for you and your 93 year old client. my mom will be 87 this year and i am trying to help her look forward to her 90s! the hexies look fun and thanks for the tips. take care, Jen.
Posted by: mary truax | June 04, 2015 at 09:21 AM