Learn It
Instructions
I made the blocks a little larger to fit the size box I could buy, and 2 sides are slightly rectangular. Each of the 4 blocks was then added to a large rectangle that measures height of box x 2 + width/length of base. I quilted it in an ad hoc not-very-parallel lined pattern with some spirals in to make it look like bark.Difficulty:
Category: Quilting
Type of item: Functional
For: Children
Style: Outdoorsy, Casual, Eco-Friendly, Funky, Cute, Geeky
Materials
Quilting cottons, sewing thread, patience
What was your inspiration?
I saw a number of people had made caterpillars or butterflies, and it got me thinking about the life cycle of the rare Lepidoptera hexata, which makes its home on Green Box Trees. Once I had the basic idea, it only took 6 months to piece all the little hexagons and quilt and bind it.
What are you most proud of?
Finishing without going more than 52.3% more insane than I already was. (55% is my cut-off for too much extra insanity at once.)
I really love the way the knotty-wood-grain quilting adds to the look of it. If I were a little braver, I might have added some bugs or leaves in, too.
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
I couldn't find any good instructions on how to sew binding on the inward corners, and so each one is done a different way, some of which are truly horrible to look at - work on mastering that part before you begin, and if you can't face the idea of doing 8 inward corners and 12 outward ones, then go for a nice rectangular playmat. Or hexagonal! Darn it, I should have made it hexagonal. Although, Octagonal would fit in the box better. *sigh* Don't you love retrospective?
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