Sunday, September 25, 2011

Vacation Project

When I found out we were going to Santa Fe for a week, I had to scramble to find a hand sewing project to take with me because I knew I'd have a lot of time to work on it while on the plane, and in my hotel room. I took a quick look through some of my quilting books and decided to make a small doll sized quilt from Kathleen Tracey's book The Civil War Sewing CircleI chopped off a few pieces of fabric and stuffed them in a ziploc bag. Then I cut some hexagons from my junk mail to act as the foundation papers for the English paper piecing. I know most people cut their hexagons by hand - or buy die-cut papers, but I found a paper punch at a yard sale years ago that I knew would be perfect for a project like this. Yay for yard sales!


I got the hexagons all prepped, sewn together, and stitched to the background fabric during the week I was gone.

As soon as I got home I sewed the blocks together and added the border - then I machine quilted it and attached the binding.



Turns out I made two extra flowers, so I turned them into little pinkeeps for fun.




18 comments:

Laurel said...

I love this project, both the little quilt and the pin keepers. I'm going to try paper piecing with hexagons for the first time this month on a block of the month project. I'm just a beginner but excited to learn.

I noticed a hole in the middle of the papers. I assume this is for ease in removing from hexagons?

Thanks for sharing!

Raymond Homestead said...

Turned out cute and I love the pin keeps!

Sheila said...

That punch is awesome? I guess I blew it when I bought the square punch quite a few years ago. :)

Betty Lou said...

The little quilt is darling, guess I will be on the lookout for a hexi punch. The quilt will always remind you of Santa Fe and the good time you had.

Cathy G. said...

Darling little quilt Gayle and love the pinkeeps! I love how you planned ahead to have something while stitching on your travels. You always have such great ideas and inspiring posts!!
Cathy G

TheCrankyCrow said...

What a sweet little quilt Gayle!! And what a fun keepsake from your trip (even if it was a take-along project!) Hmmmm...hexagons perplex me...Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

Janet O. said...

Look how clever you are! (I've tried to get my hands on one of those punches, but I must go to the wrong yard sales!)
Both of your projects turned out so cute. I love the colors you used in the quilt and those extra flowers make perfect pin keepers! I'm impressed!

Kaaren said...

Just perfect, Gayle! I love it!

Kathy (woolfind) said...

How fun! Great job!

Lori said...

It is gorgeous and you make it sounds so easy!! Love the pin cushions too!!

Cheryl said...

Thanks for the tip on using the Creative Memories punch!! Your little doll quilt is precious.

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

LOVE how your vacation project turned out! Very cute size, pattern, and colors! I have that hexagon maker for scrapbooking, it's a fun piece to have. Adorable little pinkeeps too! =]

Anonymous said...

Wow! I love it :) Now I have to search out one of those paper punchers - that gadget is awesome!
Smiles, DianeM
basketblessed@yahoo.com

Margie said...

Love, love, love your little project...too sweet !

Grace to you,
Margie

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Cool creations....xoxo Nita

Nicole said...

I absolutely love it. I've always wanted to make a hexagon quilt, it just seems so overwhelming. You've inspired me though, I might need to get started on one!

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Hi, Gayle, I'm a new follower. Found you from Margie's blog list (Hungry Hook Primitives). That hexagon punch is awesome! Do they still make them? I love little lap projects like that. When I was expecting with my daughter I used to bring projects to work and hand sew on breaks and slow time. I made a mohair rabbit with an outfit, a doll quilt, and some little drawstring nightgowns, with tuck work and french seams to boot! I miss hand sewing, you may have inspired me to start again.
Warm Regards,
Susan

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Hi, Gayle, I'm a new follower. Found you from Margie's blog list (Hungry Hook Primitives). That hexagon punch is awesome! Do they still make them? I love little lap projects like that. When I was expecting with my daughter I used to bring projects to work and hand sew on breaks and slow time. I made a mohair rabbit with an outfit, a doll quilt, and some little drawstring nightgowns, with tuck work and french seams to boot! I miss hand sewing, you may have inspired me to start again.
Warm Regards,
Susan