Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Hex Vex in Review


Thank you everyone for your interest and comments on my header quilt, Hex Vex.   Today I'm reviewing it and providing the sizes of paper pieces I used to make it.  You can see the original post here.


I was inspired to  make this quilt after seeing Kim McLean's version on the cover of Quilters Newsletter Magazine.  Kim was inspired by an antique quilt.


Here are the sizes I used:

3" hexegons (the solids blocks and 1/2 make the edge pieces, and 1/4 make the 4 corners.


1 1/2" diamonds (these make the 12 point stars, also the little tumbler blocks and what I call the the plaid blocks).



and 3" diamonds (these make the large tumbler blocks, or the same fabric to make repeat designs, etc.)  Also these are used to make the giant stars.



We ordered our paper from Paper Pieces on-line.  They also have printable work pages that are blank to help you with size and layout.

Studying these quilts is the best way to figure out how to design blocks - the variations are almost endless - it is about manipulating the color values and using printed fabric for dramatic effect.

Here is my friend Jill's Patriotic Hex:


And another example of a great scrappy hex:


My buddy Rachael is working on a beautiful one here.  She is showing combinations that I hadn't seen before!  Her project is for a raffle quilt and looks like it will be stunning!

If you make this project, please share photos with me, I'd love to see them and post them with your permission.

29 comments:

Donna~~ said...

Wow! Your header/hexie quilt is just incredible! So fun to look at all of your different blocks! Wow wow wow!

Kim said...

Oh my gosh, Barb! It's gorgeous......another project to add to the list. I just love the different variations! Beautiful!

carol fun said...

Very very cool!! So pretty, so much to look at. Some where in my sewing room are hexies that I English paper pieced, I think I need to hunt them down.

Mayleen said...

I love them all and want to come back later to take a closer look at the fabrics! I was doing fine until I saw the pink one, I w-a-n-t it.

Nifty Quilts said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! Masterpieces, all. Love your colors and combinations. Really knock out gorgeous!!!

fiberchick said...

CRAZYILY BEAUTIFUL!!! Yes am shouting...

Sheila said...

Congratulations it is a fabulous rendition of Kims quilt I started playing with the hexi blocks after seeing "candied hexagons" in Quilters companion and Kims quilt in Annette Gero's book "Fabric of Society" I am still playing with it, but this is a link to my flickr page and a progress shot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55642760@N07/7636810494/in/set-72157630727894336/
I have not used papers , but stitched "point to point"I have used more than 22 different ways of putting the hexi together

Mary said...

Just beautiful and inspiring. I love it! A wonderful quilt in every way.
Mary

Kim Brackett said...

Amazing quilt!

Janet said...

I so enjoyed seeing all the close-up pictures of your hexie quilt. It is full of surprises :0)

Sujata Shah said...

Those are some remarkable quilts! I love yours because you have made it so unique with your fabric selection. They all seem like so much work. I am sure it is a great hand piecing project. I forgot to mention about the previous header. I loved that one too.

One Minnesota Quilter said...

OK, so just when do you sleep dear?! Your hexie quilt is so fun to look at...each little piece has something different to look at...like a grown up I-Spy quilt. :) Very well done - love the color value and fabric choices.

Judy

OT Quilter said...

Another beautiful and inspiring quilt, Barb! Thank you for sharing your ideas, expertise and those gorgeous quilts!

Rachaeldaisy said...

3 very inspiring quilts! It's great to read more about your beautiful quilt!! I love all the i spy features and the little surprises I see every time I look.

Karen M said...

I am speechless. Your color choices make this exquisite. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Mag.nify.cent. Love everything about it!!

Rose Marie said...

Wonderful .... wonderful .... wonderful! A lot of work, but so worth every stitch in the end!

Janet said...

It's a sensational quilt and I love the special pieces of fabric you added, they're brilliant.

Miriam said...

I looove all the fussy cutting and fabric combinations you have in your quilt!
Thank you for all the size information too.
Congratulations on a stunning quilt! I could look at it for hours!

Leeann said...

Wow these quilts are really beautiful. I have been resisting hexagons but maybe I might try something like this. I like the variety of diamonds etc in the quilts, and the fussy cutting of theme fabrics

Barb said...

totally fabulous!

Lee Prairie Designs said...

:) OUT Of SITE!!!!!

Carolyn

Judy in Michigan said...

When I go through my morning blog list, I stop at yours and admire your banner quilt. You do such beautiful work - really - I'm not just blowing smoke here. You should publish a cocktail table book of all your beauties. I'll buy a few!! :) You choose some of the most complicated patterns and actually finish them!! Thanks.

Linda in NC said...

Thanks for sharing details of your most fabulous hexie quilt. You did a great job selecting the fabrics - effective use of color/value AND lots of fun surprises to search for!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Such a beautiful quilt, I am glad you put it on your header. Now I can look at it every time I read your blog!
How long did it take you?

Kim said...

The possibilities are endless with how you could make this one quilt
aren't they?
Makes me fingers itch to try one.

Happy Sewing

Karen said...

I find this fascinating! The way the fabrics have been used and some manipulations of it. A fun, fun project.

kim mclean said...

I love your quilt Barb! Fabrics are gorgeous, especially the Harry Potter and Elvis, kim

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

These are gorgeous! I love all the eclectic choices of fabrics. Can you tell me what your criteria / thinking was of what fabrics to use? I would love to make one of these.