Hello friends! Today I’m really excited to share a new quilt with you that is in the June 2018 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting! This is one of those long-term works in progress that has a family story to go along with it…one I hope you’ll enjoy reading!
I first learned about English paper piecing hexagons from somewhere in the
blog world. I remember how excited I was to learn that I could wrap fabric around a template and get perfectly finished hand-stitched hexagons. At first I made my own templates, but after finding out about pre-made templates that came pre-packaged in a variety of sizes I was hooked! I also loved the fact that I could use scraps for these flowers…what could be better?
Early in my paper-pieced hexagon journey I corresponded with my great aunt via email and asked her if she knew of any family members who had worked on a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt. She did, in fact, know because she had created a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt with blocks made by her grandmother! I still have this email from my great aunt where she talked about her own journey with the hexagons! These blocks later inspired one of my first patterns, my hexagon tote bag. And her journey inspired my journey…the journeys were quite similar, and you can read more about this in the magazine!
I love the photography in the magazine, but when my quilt arrived home last week I just had to take some close up photos. In the lower left portion of the photo above you can see where my quilter, Val, quilted my name in the quilt! This was her wonderful idea, and she also quilted my grandmother’s name and my great-great grandmother’s name in the quilt as well!
I just love the swirls in the center hexagons, the design in the outer hexies, and, well, I just absolutely adore this quilting!
I thought that the text print from the Sew Mama Sew collection by Sweetwater would make the perfect backing for a quilt paying homage to my quilting roots! And this quilt was the first time I was brave enough to try a scalloped border! Boy was it scary cutting those curves and knowing there was no going back! I used this ruler, though, (Quilt in a Day Scallops, Vines and Waves Template
I’m not finished with hexagons…but I am grateful to have finished my first Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt. Perhaps one day I’ll be able to teach my daughters or granddaughters how to make these fun blocks. But until them, I’ll keep making them. Because I have another long-term project in mind for these fun blocks!
The June 2018 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting which has this quilt in it goes on sale on newsstands April 3rd–tomorrow! It’s a terrific issue with many wonderful projects (mine just arrived last week)!
Happy quilting…and thanks so much for stopping by!
PS…the Minis and More parade will be tomorrow!
Hildy says
Beautiful quilt timeless and yet modern!
Robby H. says
I saw this in my magazine over the weekend. I love how fresh your layout feels, it really lets those pieced blocks shine.
Margaret says
That’s a lovely quilt, Sherri, and I know it is special to you because of the family memories sewn into it. I’m looking forward to the next issue of American Patchwork and Quilting so I can read more about it. Congratulations on getting your beautiful quilt published.
Kay says
This is gorgeous. I love EPP, and am part way through sewing up a whole quilt made of hexies. I really like the low volume background, and the quilting is incredible. x
Susan Smith says
Such a happy quilt! I love it!
Brenda says
Sherri, what a beautiful and special quilt!
Karen says
I picked up this issue when I was running errands on my lunch break. I'm looking forward to checking it out soon. I got a bee in my bonnet to add a scalloped border to a quilt a couple of years ago and used a template I traced out of one of Carrie Nelson's books. A ruler would be much easier!
Joan says
Your quilt is beautiful. I am working on some hexagons so this is the perfect quilt to showcase them. I'll be picking up a copy of the magazine. Thanks for sharing.
Michelle H says
Oh how I LOVE your quilt and EPP!! I have 3 quilts on the go myself and I am enjoying every single stitch. My sewing machine is collecting dust since I learned how to do this ?
patsy says
I saw that beauty today in my magazine. Love it. Congrats!
Carolyn says
Your Quilt is beautiful. Love the fresh look and the pattern which now gives me hope that I too, can complete this beauty!
Thanks for sharing your talents with us. I so enjoy your blog.
Beth says
Your quilt is beautiful! I too am piecing a Grandmother's Flower Garden in memory of my Mom. She passed before we had the chance to quilt together. I found the pattern in her quilting stash, with her own handmade template. She did everything by hand, and didn't even own a sewing machine!
I love your story, and I'm certain there are many more stories like ours out there. Thanks again so much for sharing your story 🙂
Beth 🙂
Sinta Renee says
This is so beautiful! I am going to go look for the magazine today!
Bearpawquilter says
I print my hexie templates from incompetech.com on premium ink jet and laser 24 lb. paper which is a little heavier weight than regular printer paper. On that web site it is called hexagonal graph paper PDF generator. They are quite sturdy and I reuse them over and over.
OPQuilt says
I love this quilt, Sherri, and not only for the stories behind it with your family. I love the fresh new take on an old quilt style, and if you lived closer, I'd borrow it to show at our multi-stake Heritage Event, where we are demonstrating hexies in our booth. I have already started looking for the magazine (not yet out on our shelves here) and plan to display that in our booth instead. Bravo to you for another beautiful quilt!
Di~ says
Wow! This quilt is so awesome, just beautiful. Thank you for showing for your talents!
Helen L says
That's a gorgeous quilt Sherri! I'll have to see if I have that magazine, and if not, I need to get it!! I love the low volume prints you used in the background: it gives it a modern feel. 🙂 Hugs, H