One of the things I love about making scrap quilts is selecting each little print for a block. Having so many different fabrics to work with makes the process much more fun. Every step — prepping the pieces, cutting, piecing, quilting — made more interesting because I am always looking at a different little vintage fabric. Some of these hexagons were purchased on ebay, and I added many more cut from my stash of vintage scraps. The age range of the fabrics is quite large since the pieces came from many different sources, but there probably isn’t anything later than the 50s.
This quilt is going to have 98 blocks, all separated by a row of white hexagons — a pretty traditional set. I once saw a Diamond Field top on ebay with each block surrounded by white hexagons and then a scrappy hexagon path between the blocks — I would have never thought of that, but I really liked the effect.
I scanned my two planning pages so you can see how crudely I work. The plan started out with a smaller quilt, but I just kept adding more rows. I have 80 of the 98 full blocks completed and all of the partial blocks. You probably can’t make out the darker lines on the hexagon paper — this is where I figure out exactly how to add the white pieces. It’s a lot like working on a puzzle, and I like that.
I love looking at each different fabric too! When I come across a bag of scraps at an estate sale or auction, I feel like I am opening a treasure chest. Sometimes it is not all great stuff, but there is usually something great in it!
Wow you’re organized! I have to lay it all out on my design wall or I can’t figure it out. Picking out all the pieces of fabrics is the hardest part for me, especially if I want them all to be different. I’m not good at puzzles, lol!
I work like you do! I look forward to your posts and to see what your working on. This is just beautiful I love seeing all the different fabrics and yes I would enjoy choosing each one for the hexagons too
love the yellow centers! in January or February my 30’s fabric will be calling me probably when I get tired of winter.
btw I love puzzles!
you have an incredible fabric collection to have so many to chose from
I would have multiples of the hexagons!
Hi Martha, I enjoy reading about the process that goes behind creating your beautiful quilts. I love scrappy quilts… there is so much to look at and admire in yours.
This past month has been a busy one with our move. I’m happy to be back and see the lovely things you’ve been working on.
It’s fun having a peek at how you work! The variety of fabrics you’re using is great fun. You don’t get bored with a project when each fabric/pieced unit is different.
I always enjoy seeing what you’re doing. 🙂
Martha! That is going to be such a lovely quilt! I can’t wait to see it. Thank you for being so generous in explaining the planning process. It is very helpful to the quilting “newbies” (like me!).
I’m falling behind in blogland lately. I think once the kids are out of school things will calm down – strange but true.
This is going to be a great quilt! The blocks are fun to look at as a whole and as individual hexagons – you have so many neat fabrics! Do you use those paper hexagons when you piece a quilt like this or piece it the usual way?
I’m like you, I draw everything out by hand when I plan any project. It helps me work out the kinks.
Hello,
I just came to this post, because I’m looking for a quilt motif. I finished a quilt like your Diamond fields. How did you quilt ist?