Honeycomb Stars: Dark Value blocks

Cool wind, rustling leaves, drizzly days interspersed with bright sunshine - autumn is in full swing in The Netherlands.

This time of year is one of the best for beginning new projects. There is a sense of gathering in and gathering together to face the challenges that lay ahead. Maybe the time is ripe for a new creative challenge - to tackle the hexagon shape or patchwork piecing with angles? This quilt is entirely machine-pieced. The simplistic construction might surprise you!

To find out how to join the Honeycomb Stars sew-along, click over to the master sew-along post. It’s a digital pattern, so you can grab it in a flash and sew right along.

Week 2: Dark Value blocks

Last week we took a close look at fabric choices for the Honeycomb Stars pattern. Now your fabrics should be grouped into 4 categories: dark value, mid value, mid-low value and low value. The categories also offer an easy way to pace yourself while sewing this quilt. Each week we’ll cut and sew the hexagons and triangles for one value group. Week 5, low value blocks, is the smallest group, leaving some energy left over for assembling the quilt.

I’ve been looking forward to cutting into these woven fabrics called Warp & Weft from Ruby Star Society. Here are the darkest value fabrics from the Warp & Weft quilt kit, which I created for this sew-along.

Cutting dark value Warp and Weft fabrics. Stitched in Colo.jpg

As you can see my dark value fabrics aren’t really that dark. The warm, solid purple is the darkest shade and the purple stripe is the lightest in this grouping. But remember, value is relative. That means it only matters how these fabrics compare to the others in my quilt kit. They’re the darkest five; therefore, they make up the dark value group.

sewing with Warp and Weft fabric. Stitched in Color.jpg

My triangle fabric choice for this group was a hard one to make. Two of the blue fabrics are almost the same. I decided that this one is the darkest, even though it has white woven dots. I used the squinty eye trick to make the call, haha! You stand back and squint your eyes to make your vision a bit blurry and then pick out which fabric looks the darkest. Usually works!

Wondering how these woven fabrics sew? Well, I’ve been stitching with my usual needle and thread - no changes necessary there. As woven fabrics they are shiftier/less stable than quilting cotton, but not nearly as challenging as 100% linen or a linen/cotton blend. I don’t see any reason to use a stabilizer and haven’t bothered even to spray them with Best Press. That said, if it’s your’e very first time sewing angled patchwork, it would be easier to work with quilting cotton. Every little bit can make a difference when you’re learning a new skill.

dark value Honeycomb Stars. Stitched in Color.jpg

week 1 Honeycomb Stars sew-along. Stitched in Color.jpg

Week 2 Sew-Along Goal: Cut & Sew all Dark Value Blocks

Look at that - now you can already make honeycomb stars! Fun, fun. Enjoy yourselves this week, friends.

Share to win!

Congrats to @MaryQwilts, winner of our Week 1 sew-along giveaway. Mary’s fabrics are nicely organized into 4 value groups, with a focused color scheme. I’m curious to see these interesting fabrics cut up as hexagons.

I enjoyed each unique variation of Honeycomb Stars that was planned last week and shared via Instagram. They’re going to be gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing more soon.

This week share a photo of your dark value Honeycomb Star blocks with hashtag #HoneycombStars.

I know you can’t wait to arrange those blocks in formation as stars already!

Your photo enters you into a giveaway for my Trimmings Pattern Pack. Tis the season to be sewing your handmade holiday or a festive gift for someone special. This 3-part pattern set offers some super fun choices! Winner will be announced Monday, October 25 and giveaway is open worldwide.