Hexagon Hype

There seems to be much interest lately in hand piecing, and especially the tried and tested hexagon shape.  My interest was sparked by this post on Katherine's blog:  http://katherinescreations.blogspot.com/2011/05/hexagons_31.html   I have always liked this shape, and it's usage in quilts, so am pleased it's making somewhat of a comeback.  I wanted to share the quilt above with readers.  I was given this not yet completed quilt top by someone.  It had been started many years ago by her mother in law, but she did not like it.  I knew the maker very well [she passed away a number of years ago].  My only brief was to try to finish it and perhaps give it to the local aged care home - probably putting finishing touches to it the day I'm admitted!!! 

You can see some of the fabrics used in this slightly closer photograph.  There really isn't much left to do.  It covers the top of this double bed.  I have some older fabrics of course - a legacy from MY mother in law.  I would need to buy some beige polycotton for the joining hexagons.

I've also included a photograph of one little mistake, which I feel I will rectify.  The lady must have had a bad day and attached two brown hexagons where beige ones should be.  Now, I am not trying to make fun of this lady's work.  I merely put this in because it's there!!

The lady who made this was very nice to me when I first moved to this district.  She was a 'crafter' and showed me much encouragement and support, despite our great age difference.  She was the first to take me under her wing, and gave me the opportunity to judge at local shows, showing me what to look for.  I look at this quilt with fond memories of her, and many ladies who gave me nothing but help and encouragement with whatever stitching I tried to do.  For that I am extremely grateful.  I would not have had the courage without their support in the early days.

I've been grappling with a difficult knitting assignment at the moment, which is probably the impetus for this post.  I have been telling myself for ever so long that I CAN knit following a graph, so I found this design in an old [1983] ANNA magazine which I thought looked 'simple enough'.  I knew I understood the way the pattern was formed so might know what to look for in my progress.  I found the graphs to be a little 'confusing', but I have continued on my merry way, ignoring the graph where I felt justified, and in the end I think 'my way' will be correct.  Perhaps I am being unjust, and it's simply that I don't understand how these things are graphed.  

I can't help but wonder and marvel at the patience of some people to work on something until it's right.  At the moment I have quite a bit of time to sit and nut this out, but what about those who don't.  Is it any wonder some people throw things in the cupboard and shudder every time they think about their aborted effort.  Over the last few years I've seen lots of errors in printing, etc., and thankfully, have the courage to challenge 'the pattern'.  I really feel for those who have not come so far, and just give up.   I don't think I'm anything more than extremely lucky, right place, right time, that sort of thing.  Where stitching is concerned, life has been good to me.