The finished quilt! I do love how it turned out. So sweet and old-fashioned with the little embroidered pictures framed in the center of the bright petals, like a child's watercolor paintbox palette. Introducing, Honeycomb Quilt #1. Because Honeycomb Quilt #2 is in the works, done primarily in aqua and red this time, and because Honeycomb Quilt #3 is already in the planning stages, and will be very pretty in PINK! Which is going to be awesome. We've already started gathering the fabric scraps for it. Trying to narrow it down to just a few shades of pink. Some old, some new. Here's some of what we have so far.
I'm excited. Can't wait to dig into this basket. I haven't really used pink for awhile and these spring colors, like the cherry blossoms exploding all around us right now, have captured my heart. I'm reminded of a quote by Bonnie Leman, the woman who started 'Quilter's Newsletter Magazine' so long ago. She said, "A storebought blanket will stop the shivers, but a handmade quilt will warm the soul". So true. We do tend to put much of ourselves into a quilt. Not just the doing part, but the dreaming and planning that goes along with it. But I digress. Back to the quilt at hand. . .
I've been trying for weeks to photograph this quilt properly. And once again, I realize how really hard it is to capture the beauty and the intrinsic qualities of a quilt in a photograph. If there's not enough light everything looks fuzzy, too much light and the colors fade. Up too close and you can't see the overall design, too far away and you lose the detail. Camera too high or too low and the whole thing looks wonky and distorted. My shaky hands don't help matters much either.
I tried many times indoors on rainy days with full-spectrum lighting and on sunny days next to diffused window panes, and outside with three different cameras. The first shot (at top), off the side porch, was with a Nikon D-80 ("big bruiser") on a tripod (foolproof) with a timed-shutter on auto-focus to avoid any jiggling. But as you can see, there's still room for improvement. The only thing out of focus seems to be the quilt! After dozens of shots, with adjusted settings, I just kept getting the same results. (How do you photograph your quilts?) This is as good as it gets for now.
Ditto for this one we photographed on the design wall. But you can see the overall pattern and how the block sections are broken up along the sides. Some have asked about that, and this is one way to square up the edges. I did take another approach with HCQ #2 because the quilt size is different and size and shape will ultimately determine the edge piecing. There is also the option of leaving the edges scalloped. But that means a little more work fitting the binding around the zigs and the zags. I might try that next time.
For HCQ #1 though, I used a super easy self-binding method. That of bringing the backing up over the quilt-top, then simply folding it under along the edge and using a tiny blind-stitch to hold it in place. Mitred corners add a nice detail, rather than having them overlap. I like neat and tidy corners.
And we must not forget to label (or at least sign) our quilts. Your descendants will appreciate it more than you know. I think I already mentioned other details about this quilt in past posts, so I won't repeat them again, but feel free to ask me questions if you have them.
So I guess that's it for this one. I'll post some pics of HCQ#2 (in progress) soon.
I love the way that your quilt turned out, Vicki. The colors in this one remind me of the colors that I chose for my son's nursery linens so many years ago.
It is hard to photograph quilts that have mostly white backgrounds I think.
This idea of combining the embroidery with the hexagons really is inspiring. You can embroider so many different motifs representing different interests.
The loving care invested in a quilt can truly be felt. I always feel close to the maker when I feel a handmade quilt.
xo
Posted by: Lena | April 03, 2013 at 05:09 PM
I really love this, vicki!
Posted by: Dawn | April 03, 2013 at 06:24 PM
Oh, it's beautiful! I love the mix of fabric and embroidered hexies. :)
Posted by: Jane S. | April 03, 2013 at 09:30 PM
Oh my...this is a beautiful quilt! I love the colors,and the bit of embroidery in the center of the petals.
Posted by: marie | April 03, 2013 at 10:03 PM
Your quilt is simply beautiful...the hand quilting really sets it off :) I can't wait to see #2 & #3 :)
Smiles, DianeM
Posted by: DianeM | April 04, 2013 at 02:37 AM
Hand made with love...can't get any better than that. What a lovely quilt. All those wonderful colors are a treat for my eyes! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: katherine | April 04, 2013 at 04:31 AM
It is IMPOSSIBLY sweet! I love it SO much! Well done...and I think the photographs were wonderful...I like to lay mine on the grass to photograph, although it cant be to sunny:) I love your blog, visit often, dont comment so much, because I am lazy!!! This is SO beautiful it cheered me just to look at it:)
Posted by: Michaelanneneal | April 04, 2013 at 05:32 AM
What a beauty!! It turned out just fabulous and I think the photos are wonderful too, but you are right...pictures never can show the true beauty of a handmade quilt.
You inspired me, maybe I will get my rear in gear and finish up my quilting project.
Can't wait to see your next two.
Tiff
Posted by: tiff | April 04, 2013 at 06:59 AM
It is a beautiful quilt! Thank you for the close up on how to square the edges. I should be able to move on with my quilt now. Can't wait to see Quilt 2 and 3. These hexagons are so portable and addictive! Think your photography is great.
Posted by: Annie | April 04, 2013 at 08:52 AM
That is gorgeous!
As to photographing such gorgeousness, I have no tips. Like you over the years I've tried different ways and I always end up with a dodgy overhead and multiple close ups none of which are satisfactory!
Posted by: Gemma | April 04, 2013 at 12:56 PM
I just found your blog last week, and really enjoy it. and i love Love LOVE this quilt!!! I've never made a quilt before, but this is my ideal. Especially the adorable embroidery - oh my, it is beautiful! too bad the book is out of print, i'd buy a copy right now and finally try my hand at quilting. Anyway, it is beautiful - well done!
Posted by: esther jane | April 04, 2013 at 01:03 PM
This quilt is stunning! You are an inspiration.
Posted by: Laura | April 04, 2013 at 03:53 PM
I ordered a few patterns this week with this kind of project in mind. Do you have any certain pattern for purchase that you used or would recommend? Love your goodies. Thank you for the inspiration. I have made several hexie quilts and projects. Love the to-go goodness of them. I am in maintenance chemo and these are lovely to work on during infusion time.
Posted by: Angela | April 04, 2013 at 06:11 PM
Vicki, I just love the finished quilt! There's a freshness about it that I find appealing. My copy of the book of embroidery patterns arrived from the UK, and I am eager to start some hexies of my own. I look forward to seeing 2 and 3.
Posted by: Debra | April 04, 2013 at 07:50 PM
Oh it is delightful! I really like the advice to sign the quilt. Would that mean that more than initials would be best? Just wondering... I've always thought your photography fantastic and I'm not inclined to change my thinking based on the discussion here. What a sweet project for spring evenings.
Posted by: Vee | April 05, 2013 at 04:57 AM
This quilt brings together all the best in hand stitching :)
Love love love it!
Posted by: Bridgette | April 06, 2013 at 08:52 PM
What a beautiful quilt. I think the photos are lovely, but I commiserate with you on the efforts it takes. I'm looking forward to seeing the pink version!
Posted by: Lorrie | April 07, 2013 at 04:09 PM
congrats on your lovely finish. so pretty.
There is a site you can go to where you can buy different sizes of paper cut out in different shapes. So much easier than cutting out your own shapes like I did once.
http://paperpieces.com/. check them out.
Posted by: Carrie P. | April 08, 2013 at 02:05 PM
Thanks Lena, this was a fun project!
Posted by: ~Vicki | April 15, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Hi Angela, no I don't have any particular pattern to recommend, but in general, any small motif would do. Depends on the subject matter; a children's theme was done here, but it would work beautifully with small flowers, or butterflies, letters, anything you enjoy doing.
Posted by: ~Vicki | April 15, 2013 at 10:18 AM
How exciting, let me know how your quilt is coming along.
Posted by: ~Vicki | April 15, 2013 at 10:19 AM
Thanks Vee! Labeling a quilt is a good idea no matter how it's done. If this was going into a quilt show I would use my full name, but as it is staying in the family I just used my initials. Sometimes I just sign them, "mom". The year it was made is probably the most valuable info though.
Posted by: ~Vicki | April 15, 2013 at 10:25 AM