Saturday, April 8, 2017

The latest hexie stars

I'm piecing these hexie stars by hand.

Hexies? How hard could they be??? Really difficult as it turns out.

I prepared lots of papers and fabric scraps from my scrap bins to sew on the trip but I didn't work on them.
the block measures 5" each side, and fits inside a 9 inch square when pieced
Look at those happy piggies! And I've used that black fabric with colorful bits many times.
The background is a mix of cream prints.

Remember I made them larger, then traced off outside triangles to print by themselves. (The pattern includes all shaped pieces) (http://nelliesniceties.blogspot.com Pattern source)

Since I make lots of blocks, and you can't remove the outside papers til you sew around them, I needed lots more white triangle paper pieces. Having a sheet of those pieces ready to copy --on thicker paper --really helps.

I also make lots of components then arrange them into a star, sew that, and use it to audition backgrounds.
look at this colorful one... the color challenge at So Scrappy this month is to use multicolored scraps
One of my bee mates gave me this strip once, and it's just wide enough to place the template on it so the dots go across . I am in LURVE!!! I want yardage of it now, but alas it was a leftover, throwaway scrap.

That's the thing about scraps... they look like waste but when sewn into a block look terrific!
That center? Long ago I entered the Hoffman challenge every year. That center was the fabric the year I did a woman's hair from that fabric, cutting tendrils out, and curls. She looked out over a horizon with a sunrise.

Still finishing up the red stars and this time I mixed fabrics in the star, keeping backgrounds the same.

Ditto. I think this is a fine background for poinsettia fairy, don't you?
Only four blocks finished so far but you get the idea
Once again, something from nothing. The concept for me, unlike modern type quilters, is to vary the backgrounds. I do not want to lose the overall hexie lines so I am not piecing stars into "Kona snow" or just one background. I want to see the individual blocks this time.

After all, they weren't easy and I worked for it!!
Linking to superscrappy and sewcanshe
as well as these parties 

26 comments:

easyweimaraner said...

that looks like your own walk of fame, great idea!!!

Val's Quilting Studio said...

The pig and Dalmatians are my favorite! (They do look hard)

Terri said...

Your stars are amazing! I can't imagine that much work for a Hexie. The plain kind are hard enough. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs

Libby in TN said...

I'm with you on the background. You want your hard work to be obvious because they're stellar!

The Joyful Quilter said...

What a shining example of use of a MULTICOLORED scrap!!

Kathy S. said...

Such fun centers! I have trouble making those turn out nice and flat without starch.

sonja said...

Lee Anna, these are so fun to review! Ya know, i see star fish, scattered upon the sand..... Yes, these are Stellar!!***

claudia said...

I love these blocks!!! So pretty!!!

kiwikid said...

Beautiful stars, worth all the hard work, love your centres.

Cathy said...

Love these! They look like starfish.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Those are such neat blocks! I love how you've figured them out. I like all the different background fabrics you're using, too. A variety of low volume fabrics in the background makes a quilt block so much more interesting!

PaulaB quilts said...

You've got a ver clever way of making those hexie stars. No ripping apparently and the thicker paper keeps them steady while you try out combos. Go for it, gal! You really are doing a great job and get to feature some of your favorites.

Kaja said...

I love the mixed shades in your backgrounds. It's lots of fun following your choices and reasoning.

Michele McLaughlin said...

I love your hexies! They are really a wonderful mix of colors! Have a great day!

Jayne said...

These are coming along beautifully! I love seeing all the different colors and fabrics! It's going to be something when its finished!

Denise :) said...

Wow, these are awesome -- I love your fussy cut centers!! :)

CathieJ said...

These are great blocks. I love how you can use up scraps.

gayle said...

Those stars are absolutely gorgeous! I love the varied backgrounds, too - they're so much richer than one solid expanse of snow.

Quilter Kathy said...

Such a fabulous hand stitching project!
Looks like you are having fun with fussy cutting and coordinating fabrics in very creative ways!

Sara said...

These are so pretty! So striking with those long spikes.

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

Your star blocks are so pretty!

Miaismine said...

So pretty! As Sara said, those long spikes are eyecatching and your fussy cutting is perfect! Love these! Believe me, they are well worth the effort! Thank you for sharing!

Susan said...

Lee Anna - these may be a bear to put together, but they look awesome! You have my encouragement to keep going and to keep sharing on Midweek Makers!

Rachel said...

Very pretty! I love that hexie with the dotted points and all your fussy-cut centers are so cute!

Teresa B said...

So pretty, I love the way you combined the fabrics. Thank you for joining The Really Crafty link Party this week, and happy Easter!

Turid said...

I love those stars, and have to try them one day. Your fabrics are awesome.