I had a wonderful time arranging the triangles from last week’s post into hexagons. Each block could be arranged 3 different ways. So there were a lot of decisions to be made. Here are the options for just one set of triangles.

I chose the third one, but they were all interesting.
Once the blocks were made I began to lay them out. At this point I want to share a personal opinion with you. I’ve seen many One Block Wonder quilts and find them fascinating, but there’s a part of me that thinks placing all those lovely blocks right up against one another can take away from the beauty of each block.
I started to arrange my blocks and just couldn’t get into it.

Then I remembered seeing hexagon blocks set with additional contrasting 60 degree triangles between them. I did a quick internet search, but couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I decided to choose a coordinating yet contrasting fabric and cut lots more triangles. I sewed them to opposite sides of each hexagon turning them into diamonds.

And arranged them on the design wall at our last retreat.

WOW! This resulted in each hexagon turning into a six pointed star. I loved it! The separation made the pattern in each block stand out. To sew them together I spaced out the diagonal rows,

added filler triangles to the ends of the strips, and sewed them all together. I was pleased with the results.

I found some buttery yellow minkie at Sandy Creek Quilts in Lodi while on our retreat, and decided to put it on the back. I layered it all with a thin, 80 cotton/20 poly blend batt, quilted everything through the centers of the diamonds ~ and then folded the backing to the front to create a very soft binding.

Thanks to Ruth for showing us how to make these delightful blocks. Stay tuned for photos of baby girl Walters receiving her quilt sometime soon.

And one more thing!
I didn’t do much quilting or teaching during our move and “reconstruction”. Recently I’ve had two people ask me if I ever teach beginner classes. They were both from Watertown, and one was a high school student. Ooh! I love getting people addicted to quilting! Yesterday I stitched together a fun-for-beginners pinwheel table runner. Then I contacted Lyssa at the Watertown shop where I’ve been teaching ~ and here are the details:
Beginning Quilting Class ~ Pinwheel Table Runner

In this 3 hour long class students will learn the basics of rotary cutting and stitching accurate seams, while piecing a lovely three block runner. A future “finishing” class will be scheduled to learn the basics of layering a quilt sandwich, quilting the layers together and binding the edges.
I love to encourage everyone to learn to quilt, but I’m offering a special price to teenagers in hopes of getting the next generation to fall in love with quilting too!
When: Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 9 – noon (no fooling 😊)
Cost: $20 per adult, teenagers half price! Pay in class, but you must sign up with an email to or text to (262)719-5018.
Supply lists will be sent at time of sign up. If you don’t have a sewing machine or rotary cutting equipment, I would be happy to let you use mine, but you must let me know that at time of sign up.
For all the information about the shop and it’s location click here!
Sandra Kohls says
I love triangle/hexies too but the hardest part for me is getting them “arranged”. Your diamond transformation is a great idea. Thanks!
Doris Rindfleisch says
I agree about blurring all the hexagons together…I like your result better, although once in awhile I’ve seen hexagons cut and pieced from a panel, then placed around the full panel with neat effect.
Doris Rindfleisch says
Oops! I meant cut and pieced from MULTIPLES of the same panel, (same one-block wonder concept), reserving one full panel for the hexagons to go around.
Laurie Neubauer says
Chris,
I love the diamond triangles separating the hexies. That grand niece baby of yours is going to be crawling from diamond hexie to diamond hexie grabbing all the spins. It’s so beautiful. I am impressed on how it turned out. Really good idea… Blessings, Laurie
Dorothy Livernash says
I love it!! I too always thought it was a lot of work and all those hexies get lost. I also like that it creates another pattern with the forming of the star. You never seize to amaze me.
My granddaughter is 6 and I will try to get her started very soon. I hope she will love it as much as I do.
Janice Englebert says
I like your version much better!
Cari says
Loved your use of Jane Sassman fabric, which I love to buy but hate to cut into! This is a great use of it. Thanks!
Sue says
Absolutely agree with all your observations. I had a great fabric and tried three times to get something I liked. 2x it was all together and I took it all apart. Stuck it in a box until I saw yours. Got it out again. This time I am a happy camper. Finally. 2 plus years!
clkquilt says
I’m so glad you persevered and this technique worked for you. Please send me a photo if you get a chance :-).