I seem to have very little free time these days, and so lots of little projects that I think I'd like to try have been put on the back burner. My dad decided to intervene by getting an unexplained stomach ache last week, which landed him in the hospital for a few days of tests, which meant an unscheduled trip to Pennsylvania for me. First things first, he's out of the hospital and doing well, and I'm back home. But since I knew it was likely I'd be doing a lot of sitting and waiting, I took a little project with me.
Paper-pieced quilt hexagons. If you enjoy hand-sewing, and you have an abundance of tiny pieces of fabric (guilty on both counts here), these are fun. Also, these were small enough that I could put the whole project in my purse and take them along.
I'm going to take the coward's way out and suggest that if you don't know about paper piecing, you should Google it to get better instructions than I'd be able to provide. Basically, you cut out little paper templates, fold and baste fabric around them, sew the pieces of fabric together, then remove the paper templates.
I found these a great way to use up little bits of fabric that I adored, but that weren't really big enough to do much of anything with.
I got quite a few done, and my parents were eager to participate in multiple rounds of "Which Hexagon is Your Favorite?" We all were surprisingly fond of the orange one. As a rule, we're not orange people. We're quiet, sober Lutherans, so we tend more to colors like beige. Not always the best color for a quilt. It was probably good for all of us to move a little out of our comfort zone.
This is the next stage, which is adding a solid-color border before joining them. I'm not exactly sure how this project will finish up, but I'm enjoying the process. And I'm grateful that my dad seems to be OK, that I got a few unscheduled days with my parents, and that, oddly enough, a worrisome situation ended up being a bit of a break from the everyday.
Made me laugh with your description of the quiet, sober Lutherans..and your attraction to the orange hexagon. Moving to that wild side huh? Glad your dad is on the mend...
p.s. one of my favorite colors is orange, so you chose well.
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | February 27, 2012 at 12:43 AM
What a lovely way to pass the time in what I am sure was a stressful situation. I love the results and will be anxious to see the finished project! I am happy to hear that everything turned out okay!
Posted by: Kathy | February 27, 2012 at 12:50 AM
This is a favorite way to bide my time. I love your sweet fabric. Glad to hear your dad is better. I love them all. Smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | February 27, 2012 at 08:49 AM
First, I am glad Dad is on the mend.
But I see those making the most beautiful doll quilt ever. :-)
Posted by: Sarah | February 27, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Glad that Dad is OK!
You've inspired me to do something with all of those little bits and bobs of fabric that I haven't been able to throw away. I absolutely love to hand-sew, and I'm now envisioning some really cool porch pillows this summer....
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | February 27, 2012 at 10:17 AM
So glad to hear your dad is doing better! I love your hexagons! Such pretty fabrics!
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | February 27, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Yes I'm glad this all had a happy ending and your Dad is okay. Those hexagons are so pretty, I love your color combinations.
Posted by: freckledhen | February 27, 2012 at 05:49 PM
Ha, just listened to an old Prairie Home Companion about Lutheran's wearing beige.
Pretty hexagons;they might look good in picture frames.
Glad dad is okay in Pa.
Posted by: Mary | February 27, 2012 at 06:23 PM
Every time you reference your quiet, Lutheran heritage, I have a good laugh, having come from those beige roots as well. By any chance do you say 'warsh' instead of 'wash'?
Happy to hear your dad is on the mend.
Posted by: Into Vintage | February 28, 2012 at 12:05 AM
You? Sober Lutheran? With all that green and red in your kitchen?
Glad to hear your father is doing better....
Posted by: Maria (Magia Mia) | February 28, 2012 at 12:18 PM
I am glad your Dad is going well...will keep you all in our prayers. Hugs, Sonya
Posted by: Sonya-Dime Store Thrift | February 29, 2012 at 10:30 AM
No picture frames. You're making a little quilt. You're a quilter. Yea!
Posted by: Martha | February 29, 2012 at 11:51 AM
P.S. I love your tiny 30s prints (of course), and your decision to use yellow prints for the centers. I'm also glad to hear your dad is feeling better.
Posted by: Martha | February 29, 2012 at 11:59 AM
this not so quiet catholic LOVES them AL!! but I'm particularly partial to the RED one! oooo la la!
Posted by: Mare | February 29, 2012 at 02:31 PM
These are great! I wish I liked hand sewing more, I would totally make one of these. But for some reason the only kind of hand sewing I like is quilt binding, I dunno lol.
Posted by: Chase l Oh The Cuteness! | March 03, 2012 at 02:06 AM