Posy post

My flower garden blocks are starting to add up.  Forty five have been completed now.  Even after setting them out, arranging them on the floor or design wall, I don't have a good idea of how many more I'll need.  I know this won't be a bed quilt, but because of the nature of the uneven edges of this hexagonal design, it's hard to get a feel for finished dimensions.  I'm fine with that now.   

When I've put the project aside for a while, I'm always spurred on to pick it up again when a new line of Kaffe Fassett's inimitable prints arrive on the scene.  (Keep them coming, Kaffe!)  These blocks are my newest, sewn over the last few evenings.  A lot of you have left comments that you're happy to see this project again and I am, too.  But I have to admit, it is a bit of a slog.

Click for closeup

There's no aspect of making these flower blocks that is difficult, just, for me, incredibly tedious.  Unlike most handsewn patchwork where you can clip along with a running stitch, paper piecing requires basting fabric around templates before block assembly.  Then, instead of a running stitch, you use an overcast stitch, catching a few threads from each adjoining side.  Easy, but more time consuming.  The fabrics are definitely the motivating factor here for me.  Frankly, I find it hard to believe how many traditional Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts there are floating around out there from the 40s!

If you like these blocks but wouldn't think of tackling a quilt, I've found a more manageable project for you over at De Ponto Em No.  Last summer, the author posted wonderful tutorial for Flower Garden block coasters.  Aren't they charming?  And how about this photo set on Flickr, documenting the use of some inherited GFG blocks?  Nice updated adaptation of traditional blocks...lots of ideas spring to mind looking at these.

Although I've run hot and cold on this project, I've decided to stick with it now and chip away a little on it each week.  And instead of continuing to add to the bouquet, at this point, I'm going to start adding the outlining hexagons.  After much back and forth, I've decided on a color.  Finally.

Comments

[Melanie]

I love this project! The new blocks are beautiful!

[Angela]

Love these Kaffe fabrics and the finished quilt is going to be spectacular! I noticed that you're making all of your templates yourself -- have you tried/heard of the pre-cut hexagons available? I've been thinking of trying them out so was wondering.

[Dani]

I know very little about quilting, but I am learning, so I was wondering why you use paper piecing instead of just sewing the shapes together on their own? Does it just add more structure?

[Chris]

Pretty!

[kathie]

they look wonderful and I love that you made your own paper templates out of the inserts in the magazines good for you!
this quilt is on my list of quilts to make in my life time!
Kathie

[Cami]

I started a GF quilt about three years ago. I got burned out really quick and haven't worked on it since. Thanks for sharing yours because I am totally inspired to go get mine and start working again. I like that you have used magazine inserts for the templates. I have been using waxed paper. It sticks to the fabric when ironed on and then comes off clean when you're done. And still adds structure. Your fabrics are adorable and I can't wait to see the finished work.

[Kristin]

Oh my gosh, it's gorgeous! I can't wait to see it all put together. Well done, Jan!

[Jennifer]

Many GFG and hexagon patchwork quilts can be easily pieced by a running stitch, which is why I will NEVER English paper piece again. The key is that you have to know what kind of pattern you are going for in the end. Sections (not the "flower at a time" way that they are usually broken down) are stitched together, then joined along rows. This means long, continuous running stitch. NO templates, no basting, and no whip stitch. It becomes no different from any other kind of hand piecing. And the seam allowances can be twirled around like other hand pieced blocks, to distribute bulk. I will blog about it sometime!

[Jennifer]

I should edit to add that you do need a template to cut out the pieces, but you don't need to baste and sew around a template!

[Anina]

This makes me feel SO guilty about my flower garden quilt that is languishing somewhere in the bottom of a box. I'm working on WIP's though, so who knows.
I love your fabrics.

[KathieB]

This is a perfect way to use those splashy Kaffe prints, and this is going to be absolutely spectacular. But English paper piecing--eeyikes. I will be content to admire from afar and cheer you on. Go Jan!!

[Jane Ann]

I love your hexies and the black is a perfect foil for the Kaffes. Unlike you, I have become addicted to making them. I'm doing double rings of them and adding the "path" pieces as I go. I started out using the pre-cut paper templates and they're great (reusable too) and very cheap when compared to cutting them myself. So far I have 23 flowers completed w/the joining path pieces. Gee...only about 35 to go. (I've been at it since September.) Yours are gorgey!

[Lisa]

Ha...a slog indeed, which is why I admire yours with such devotion and my three poor flowers are hanging in a clip on the wall behind me. Thank you for doing all the hard work!

[Tonya R]

I LOVE that stack of blocks - just the little bits of color all working so well together. gorgeous. You have an eye for beautiful color. I'd so love to play in your fabric stash with you someday!

[susan]

so beautiful! and yes yes yes to kaffee. the best out there for my tastes for sure! are those black blocks for between? oooh i would love that for sure. can't wait to see where you go wtih it...

[Meredith]

Wow They are lovely have fun with them.

[Maryjo]

I'm a long time lurker on your blog, and want to just say "thanks" for all your posts.

I had a good laugh about your hexagons though -- I too have a similar project going and it gets put away ... for a year at a time or whatever. But I can tell you when you need a totally brain dead project or major de-stressing, it's not bad. And they do come together nicely! great fabrics! MaryjoO

[Hedgehog]

Just love the way your Kaffe Fassett flowers are coming together! My red hots have been put away for the winter, but I just might have to get them out!

[bethany]

These clor combos are so inspiring... It makes me want to buy real flower seeds!!

[sammyjo]

i also have one of these on the go but its just not as coulorful as yours and i only have about 16 full flowers so far lol yours looks great. i just cant seem to find the motivation to finish mine yet its just stuck to my bedroom wall waiting for me to start it up again lol

[Dawn]

ooooh pooh---your flowers are so alive with color....okay, I'm not envious. I'm not going to stuff mine into some dark corner. I'm not going to wish I did mine just like yours. I'm not...I'm not.

[Michelle]

I too am glad to see this project again. I just love it. The colors are so bright and vibrant. What fun!

[Diane B.]

"Anything worth doing is worth doing well." Your flower blocks are absolutely luscious! I agree with Tonya's comment--you've got quite an eye for color. Thanks for your kind wishes for my recovery. It's slow going right now, but as I said, "anything worth doing..."

[Loretta]

I put mine away in a basket in the closet. But I am running to get them out. You always inspire me with your color choices. They just look so scrumptious stacked up like crepes!

[hannah]

Love your bright Kaffe flowers! I have been playing around with hexagon piecing too, I cant tell the size of yours, but mine are little, I am just sewing them randomly and I have over 50 now, the whole piece altogether is the size of a dinner plate so far. I love how nice it is to just sit and sew them together. Yours is going to look great with the bold black edging to all the flowers. cant wait to see how it turns out!

[samantha]

I'm so happy to see this project again! It's so fabulous- such color, yum!

[gray la gran]

love LOVE love these hexagons!!! oh, i wish i were family so i could at least be in consideration for receiving =)
it's so pretty! and i love those wee overcast stitches that hold all the pieces together.
though i haven't tried it yet, i do believe when you say "it's the sock knitting of quilting".

[Jean]

About all I can say is "Ditto", it's wonderful! The fabric's really make it jump! Hang in there the end justify's the means! The one on flicker.... the FG that had the border pieces on it! Talk about a headache! Sorry, I think I would go nuts! Enjoying the posts!

[jpknits]

I pieced one with running stitches and dutifully turned corners so that I could build up a collection of flowers, unlike the row strategy Jennifer describes above.

I knew about the paper piecing at the time, and definitely knew I was not the right match for that approach. Hats off to you!

Your colors are lipsmackingly tasty!

[Belém]

Lovely, lovely EPP flowers. Thanks so much for linking my blog :)