Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Twisted hexagons - an odyssey

On March 6th 2005 I was at the Sydney retreat for the Southern Cross Quilters and attended a class on twisted hexagons taught by Anne Munro. I took a small pack of 1930s reproduction scraps along with me, and learnt the gentle art of English paper piecing from a very gentle teacher. I was hooked.

On March 6th 2012 I finished piecing the quilt top. The fact the quilt top was finished on the seventh anniversary of starting was serendipitous - it was only by searching for the photos I took in that class that I realised what date I started my first twisted hexagon block.

For the last few days I've been preparing the quilt for the machine quilter. First I pressed all the ends, clipped the basting threads and removed the papers. Then I stay stitched the quilt. This made me rather stressed - wrestling a massive and heavy handpieced quilt through my sewing machine was hard, and I was worried about tearing the stitches.

Twisted Hexagon quilt

Twisted Hexagon quilt

But once the stay stitching was done, I trimmed the top and bottom of the quilt so they were straight.

Twisted Hexagon quilt

I still have a lot of papers to remove, but I'm going to do that tonight while relaxing at a friend's place (I hope her cats don't like sitting on half-made quilts).

Twisted Hexagon quilt

I laid the quilt on the living room floor to measure it. Thank heavens our living room is enormous - this quilt measures 235 cm across, and 240 cm from top to bottom. I had to take photos so that I could include them on the entry form for the quilt show I'm entering it into.

Twisted Hexagon quilt

I have to admit I stood in front of the quilt for quite some time just saying "wow". I impress myself sometimes. It's just so damn beautiful.

But my stresses weren't over. I had over seven metres of fabric to join together for the backing.

Twisted Hexagon quilt

Personally I find quilts backed with just one fabric boring. I wish I didn't, because putting the back together would be a hell of a lot easier.

Twisted Hexagon quilt

I laid the backing out on the floor, knowing it was going to be too big. But better too big than too small, right?  And then I trimmed it with my scissors so that I had several inches excess at each edge of the quilt.

Tomorrow after work the whole kit and kaboodle goes to the machine quilter. I am so nervous, but also relieved that I don't have to worry about the quilt again until it's time to do the binding. And I love binding (perhaps I won't love binding after I maneuvre the quilt and binding down those angles at the sides of the quilt).

And perhaps one day I'll stop staring at photos of this amazing quilt which has had so much love put into it from beginning to end. I can't wait to put it on the bed in the spare room.

16 comments:

  1. Wow it's amazing Michelle - surely you will sleep under it a few nights - so you can admire it a little more - you should - it's beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, it is absolutely phenomenal.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow. Speechless. That is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow that is a complete total and utter stunner and I cannot wait to see what your quilter does with it - do you have plans for the quilting? Custom? Personally I can never afford custom but this beauty and seven years of work deserves the best lol.

    ReplyDelete
  5. it is just stunning. Can't wait to see it quilted and bound.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The SPARE ROOM? ARe you serious, woman? That quilt deserves to be a main player. On YOUR bed, I say.

    (Sorry, feeling a bit bossy tonight. But you gotta admit, I have a point).

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's a real joy to see this quilt finally finished, Michelle, and a tribute to your perseverance. All hand pieced - how amazing! I was also at that Scquilters Retreat here in Sydney, and it certainly seems a long time ago now. I designed the official Retreat quilt and got a real kick out of seeing it finished and photographed on someone's blog. I hope Anne sees your beautiful work too, Michelle. Bravo!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's soooo beautiful. What an accomplishment!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I remember the start of this Michelle on SCQuilters, it was the first I had ever heard of twisted hexagons. Then one day I found myself on your blog and realised it was YOU! Lol. I love this quilt, great work, can't wait till you share it finished. I have to agree though - the spare room?

    ReplyDelete
  10. WOW! Just.So.Amazing! I'm not surprised you can't stop looking at it! I think if I had made it, I would want to wear it as a cape, everywhere I went, for at least a week. It is truly beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That quilt is wonderful! I think you special quilting ladies are so patient and strong. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's beautiful Michelle. I can completely understand why you were nervous about sending it off, I would be too!

    I also think it would make an awesome cape.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow!! This is stunning and congratulations on finishing such an epic quilt. Gives me hope that one day I'll finish my paper pieced quilt : -)

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's been such fun watching the hexagons grow and progress, can't wait to see it all completed :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I do believe this is one of the MOST stunning quilts I have EVER seen! And the fact that you did all that BY HAND just amazes me! It's BEAUTIFUL!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! I love reading your comments, but if you're anonymous please tell me who you are.