I’ve had this quilt in my head for a long time and this was my first attempt to create it. I really like it and I’m already planning my next version of it! It all started with a “simple” hexagon block that I made for Lynne months ago…
I knew almost immediately that I wanted to translate this into multiple quilts. And the first one I wanted to do was create a one block quilt in the same design. And so I set to designing again and did some math and finally came up with this…
I was playing with the scale of the pattern and types of fabrics to use for this design. I ended up making this with three different fabrics as opposed to the original six of the inspiration block because I was trying to create the least amount of waste with the fabric cuts.
I made the center a hexagon like the original block, but I’m interested in trying a variation with the swirls meeting together in the center. That’s on my back burner for this quilt.
I made it the size I did partially to be able to use a 56″ decorator weight fabric for the backing. I was happy to find a good match for the front with some county fair posies by Denyse Schmidt. No project goes as you would like it…especially not a trial run on a pattern…so of course I did some miscalculating when I cut the fabric for the back. Well, really I measured once and then cut. I know better. Measure TWICE and cut once. But I was able to patch it in and the fabric was very forgiving (this is why I love patterned fabrics for the back of a quilt!).
I also did some experimenting with the quilting. I started out quilting in one direction and quickly became frustrated with the way it was looking. I’m far too lazy to rip out quilting that is already complete, so I just shifted gears and started quilting in another direction. I liked the second way MUCH better and played with the width of quilting lines until I finally settled into a pattern. I also ended up machine quilting the binding and I’m usually a die hard hand binder. But you see, this quilt was going to someone who loves machine binding for its durability especially. So I wanted to make this quilt as useful as possible.
This quilt is perfect for a picnic or for a baby’s play mat…it’s been both cat approved and baby approved at my house. But it’s already with its new owner, Kaelin, who is buying her very first home with her husband tomorrow and then moving in! She needed a house warming gift…and I’m sure that the quilt is now puppy approved by her sweet Scottie Dog.
I’m already planning a second version of this quilt and will probably use 6 fabrics again like the original block. But I’m having trouble deciding on a name for this quilt! I have the name of another quilt stuck in my head and I can’t figure out what to call this. Help a gal out! Suggestions please!
Love that block!
Love!
This is amazing! I love it.
How about "down the rabbit hole?". Super cute!
freaking amazing!!! 🙂 do share how you made it?? 🙂 My mind can't figure it out… at least not at 1:30am.
Very NICE!
Great shape, I am not normally a hexie fan, not the little ones but a big one like this with the swirl effect is great, lovely gift for Kaelin too
I second "down the rabbit hole". What an interesting quilt! Really visually interesting. I like it a lot.
Fantastic! Swirly gig! but "down the rabbit hole" is better!
I thought I was seeing this mug rug..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pekkaboo/5261475806/
And I like the Summer Swirl name! Great quilt!
Very cool!!!
Looks like a Summer Swirl to me! Love it.
Measure twice, my Dad, a carpenter, lived by that rule! Lovely quilt and I love that you are okay with it being a dog bed.
My brain thought "vortex" … but I can't think of how to turn that into a cool name. I haven't had my coffee yet, let's blame it on that. It looks like some kind of mechanical swirly thing, like the window of a high tech 'something' opening or closing.
Whatever the name, I love it! One giant swirl was not what I was thinking it would be from looking at your block 🙂
A Spin on Hexagons
Your quilt is beautiful! Name? I like twelfthzodiac's idea of Vortex.
I love this!!! You are amazing!!! I like the name Merry Go Round 🙂
Woo woo! What a great quilt! I love when ideas work out and turn into something beautiful. I am not nearly creative enough to suggest a name, but I liked "Summer Swirl" that Debra suggested.
Oh I so love this!
oh, I like it!!! It is so fun and unique!!
I love it too. 🙂 And you'll have to teach me your ways!
Just beautiful!! I so love it!
I love it! Would it be possible to keep going smaller and smaller – like have your small block you made for Lynne in the center? I remember reading about that block months ago and it is still a winner!
Wow, so different! I see "Hexagon Swirl". Funny, I've been making plans to make a hexagon picnic quilt. Now don't think I was copying you!
I really love this. Did you ever put together a tutorial on this block? It is so amazing!
I'm thinking Big Sur, as it reminds me of waves… Not a very pretty name though, and the quilt is gorgeous!
Super cool, and I am sure Kaelin (and her Scottie) will love it! As for a name….looks like a flower to me…..
Very cool, Angela! I love this.
This reminds me of the inside of a camera lens. "Aperture" is cute.
This is super cool! Kaelin, you better not let your dog claim this!
Love it….how about….'the way to dreamland'.
I love it! Tutorial please!
Wow! Love it. It reminds me of a camera's shutter. Great colours.
Absolutely gorgeous! I love hexagons and adore this adaptation of crazy patchworks and hexagonal shaping. Real wow factor!
wow, that is fantastic, so original and such vibrant colours!
Wonderful quilt! I love the original block too!
This is a fabulous block of course and makes a wonderful quilt Ang
I love the block and the quilt … how about 'Vortexagon'?!
Clever!!! Pretty, too 🙂
very pretty and unique. I'm amazed at people who can create like this. I love it. I do like the down the rabbit hole name. I don't have one.
This is so cool! I second the tutorial! for the love of spirals.
Love it! I was also trying to figure it out, but my brain won't wrap around it.
Way cool block! Have you published the pattern?
I would love to have it.