In last week’s post you might have noticed that I’m drawn to hexagon quilts because two of the quilts I featured were based on hexagon blocks:
These were in the main exhibit. The special challenge at the show this year was to make a quilt with hexagons!
They were all fascinating, and these were a few of my favorites. “Hexagons are the Bestagons” used a gradation fabric to achieve a spectacular effect (and I love the name)!
I found this hexagon variation very creative and intriguing.
Who would have thought to make a crazy quilt with hexies?!? The stitching is wonderful!
And I think this one is just fun!
On another note ~ I had full rosters in all 3 of my Hawaiian Paint Stick Appliqué workshops (praise the Lord!)
This is a technique I came up with for the quilter’s cruise to Hawaii led by Wendy and me in 2019. We just didn’t have time for Hawaiian needle turn appliqué because we wanted to spend as much time as possible seeing Hawaii (click here for a related post). But we did have time for “PaintStick Appliqué” while on the ship and the response from our travelers was great.
So while coming up with a class idea for this year’s show this technique came to mind. I wasn’t sure how it would fit into the 3 hour class time and I was worried that the students wouldn’t get their block done. I was wrong. The first day everyone had completed their block in the first hour and 15 minutes!
They all seemed pleased,
but I had a brief moment of panic because the supply list asked the students to bring one 18″ square of fabric. What would we do to fill the rest of the time? Well…I had some samples of other things I’ve done with paint sticks. I showed them to the students and asked them what they were going to do to their block next. The response was amazing. Some of them took their original stencil and repositioned it:
Some did this with new colors of paint sticks.
The creativity was off the charts! I was impressed. So I called home that night and had my sweet husband bring me the rest of my rubbing plates. They were a hit!
Just look at what this dear quilter created in the Saturday class.
I always say that I learn more than my students while teaching. In this class I learned that sometimes the students just need time to experiment and discover their own voice. Thanks everyone!
The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show was truly great this year in so many ways, and I read that they broke records for attendance! I think I still have one more post in me about the show because I met so many interesting people, but that will have to wait for a future post.
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And one more thing! I thought you might enjoy an update on my parents ~ it really is amazing and we’re so grateful for this time with them (to read their previous post: “Life Changes and the Quilts Go Along” click here). They are both doing well in their new “home”, and they love visitors ~ especially grandchildren!
judy raddatz says
Another great post. Also thank you for speaking at our guild. What a wonderful collection of techniques.
Edie says
Amazing that your husband would know what rubbing plates are and where to find them! I think my husband would say – you want what? and just laugh 😆
clkquilt says
Thank you for making me laugh. Mike is wonderful in that he indulges me so kindly. When I called about the rubbing plates he said “let me go down to the studio”. I then told him to walk to the end of my machine table, turn right, bend down and grab the blue bin on the right of the second shelf, and send me a photo of the open bin. I was able to tell him which items in the bin I wanted. He still has no idea what rubbing plates are, but he is so sweet and willing to help me. He will laugh too when he reads your comment 🤣.
Eileen Bastin says
Love all of the creativity in your class! You always inspire us. So glad your parents are doing so well, also!
June Smasal says
Thank you for update on your parents….enjoyed blogg photos and creativity by your students.
Cathy Borneman says
so good to see your folks. every minute is precious! Mike to the rescue! Not the first time, probably not the last!