Bring on the blossoms!

 

I haven't literally taken the process pledge, but I do support it wholeheartedly and have always tried to share what I'm doing, not just finished products.  (Otherwise, I'd be posting 3 or 4 times a year!)  Sometimes I hesitate to write about something that may be what everyone's doing anyhow, but invariably, someone comments that it was helpful and that always makes me happy that I went ahead a wrote about it.  Like today.

When I started making GFG blocks, I'd prepare my hexagons, thread my needle and assemble them willy-nilly, stitching until my thread ran out.  Up, down, left and right, there was no regular sequencing, which made it difficult to pick something out if necessary because it was impossible to figure out where the threads started or ended.  
 

Click for closer view

Looking for some border inspiration, I was recently thumbing through an old issue of Quilts Japan that was dedicated to Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts and came across this piecing diagram.  Brilliant!  I've since used this sequencing and highly recommend it.  Basically, you sew the 6 hexagons to the center piece in a continuous line.  Then you go back and sew the side seams, one by one.  Continue the next row the same way...attach the hexagons around the center flower-ette in a continuous line of stitching, then go back and sew those side seams one by one. 

Three more this week

One thing I particularly like about this method is that it makes it a much easier project to 'pick up and go' with.  Preparing multiple blooms by attaching the hexes around the center, you can take each block as a single unit, throw a needle and matching thread in your bag and sew those side seams while traveling or out & about.  Much less fuss than packing baggies of hexes and working out assembly sequences away from your favorite workspot.  Is this how you do it?  Am I the last one to the party?

 

Some of you have asked about our new yard so here are before and after photos.  The previous owner of our home had been a serious gardener but had spent several of her last summers here vacationing in Wisconsin.  Bushes were overgrown, plants were badly in need of thinning and invasive vines with tenacious, woody roots, entangled everything.  M & I naively planned to reclaim the yard space little by little but this spring threw in the towel after days of doing backbreaking, sweaty battle with it all. 

First, we had the tree people come in and remove 7 wild yews and trim up the large silver maples.  Then the landscapers arrived, cleaning out everything and setting aside over 60 hostas and some lilies for replanting.  A mere two days later....

Voila!  Although some areas look almost a little bare to us, I can't tell you how much stress was relieved by biting the bullet and having someone else take care of this for us.  Now that the bushes are gone, there are sunny spots for a cutting garden next summer.  And bulbs...I'll be planting lots of those this fall, too.  Though we're enjoying the luscious greens out there, now we need some color!!    

Comments

[Amy]

That is a really cool way to do GFG. I have a pile of those Japanese magazines to go through & not unlike this one, I have no idea how you got that from the pictures... Luckily I am only looking at the pictures & wishing that I could purchase the fabric...

With that said, I plan on tackling a GFG (well hexagon - far less traditional setting) quilt & I like this concept.

[Jenny G.]

Thanks for posting that diagram for the GFG! No, you are clearly not the last one to know about this- it really makes sense, and would make car sewing a lot less frustrating- no more dropping the pieces I have laid out and having to start over! My current hex project uses 3" (on a side) hexes- eventually it will go in the guest room on the bed, if I ever get to stop making baby quilts for friends and make myself something... oh well. And your yard is really nice looking!

[Cindra]

I can't imagine that you would be the last at learning anything to do with quilting. You make it sounds so easy I may even try it.
The garden looks twice the size now! What a change... love it!

[Thimbleanna]

Oooh Jan, the new backyard is just beautiful! How nice to have re-claimed the sun too. Thanks for the tips on the hexagons. I've been terribly tempted (with your gorgeous flowers leading the inspirational pack) and someday I'll bite the bullet and jump in!

[Sharon]

Jan, your back yard is lovely, Now you have a "clean" slate to start coloring up. I too, love hexi's and found a process that works very well. This is how I added my pathways of background.
http://grassrootsquilting.blogspot.com/search/label/Hexagons

[Janet]

I wouldn't have thought much about the sewing sequence but what you've done makes perfect sense. I love your backyard, it looks great with all the space and light.

[Kristin L]

You are not the last one to the party -- I still piece my GFG hexes willy nilly. Next time I pick up my project, I'll have to give this new technique a try. Thanks!

[Jenny McH]

Thanks for the tip & picture of sewing hexis together ~ always wondered how it was done! I can't get over seeing your sprinkler going in your new lovely garden ~ here in Melbourne, Australia we have not been able to have a sprinkler on for years, due to an ongoing drought.

[Marit]

Thanks for sharing the hexagon diagram, I will test this out for myself! Your gfg is so gloriously colorful, have fun adding more color to your pretty real life garden too...

[barb]

the yard looks fantastic!
I did it the wrong way on the hexes. this makes so much sense - duh!
Oh well, too late for me - but I'm glad you can use it :)

[Margaret]

Thanks for sharing this, my 15 yr old daughter is working on her first quilt and doing a hexie quilt...this will really help!

[Kay]

At first I thought you had messed up and that the before picture was really an after picture!
It was photogenic even if it had issues!

As always, your instructional info may seem elementary to you but it was enlightening to me. I love to know how to do a thing the "right" way. (Even if there is no wrong way.) It feels more workmanlike, or something.

xoxo Kay

[pam]

The yard looks like a showplace. Lovely. And of course totally love the hexagons. And all the things you do.

[Clare]

The transformation is amazing. It looks like a different garden.

Congratulations!