Comments on: Making meaning: Hexagons and siblings

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:25:41 +0000

Unbelievable. I wish I had the patience to make something so beautiful.

By: Dee

Dee — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:02:33 +0000

Nice connections, Mal. No wonder the shape holds so much allure for you! I will look forward to seeing where you take it in the future now that you are aware of this symbolism.

I like the way that quilting can always stand for ‘getting it together’ — that is, the way the actual piecing of disparate elements is in and of itself an integrative act. That means that when all else feels like it’s whirling in chaos or falling apart, I can look at whatever I’m making and say, “but THIS is coming together…. “

By: V

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:33:13 +0000

Very well thought out. And on that note, maybe that’s why i can’t finish my hex’s!

…..hmmmmm? note to self.

By: Quilting Bee and Blogs I Read « The Smiths’ Occasional Blog

Quilting Bee and Blogs I Read « The Smiths’ Occasional Blog — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:27:38 +0000

[...] The box of fabric scraps in the basement began calling my name and I couldn’t wait to pull them out. I was sure I could use what I have on hand to make a quilt. I decided, after a bit of thought to use paper piecing to make a hexagon quilt. The inspiration for the pattern came from here. [...]

By: B

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:48:54 +0000

This is very interesting. Very often I have a feeling at the back of my mind when I’m writing or making things that there is a very specific reason why I’m doing what I’m doing. Lately, I’ve started to listen to it, and certain family issues that I thought I’ve been unaffected by are starting to appear in my thinking. I can’t quite put it into words yet, but I hope to be able to someday.

By: Lainie

Lainie — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:11:39 +0000

Very thoughtful, Mal. Thank you for telling a little of your story. I love the quote about growing up in different families — wish my brothers understood that.
Your post is giving me food for thought for a follow-up post to my last one — thank you.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:20:34 +0000

Love your story, don’t think I have to explain, you know my work. Congratulations on finding your story, enjoy it.

By: julochka

julochka — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:19:19 +0000

i think it’s very interesting to ponder and come to a realization about why we’re doing the things we’re doing. and even more interesting that we do them somehow automatically for quite awhile before that realization strikes. i’ve thought about it quite a bit with my late winter/early spring eyeball obsession, where i slowly came to the realization that it was about seeing and focusing on seeing and thereby being more present in my life right here and now. that it was related to growing as a photographer and the vision looking through the lens of the camera lends. that what seemed wacky and a little off was actually a personally profound thing for me.

it sounds like you have had the same experience with your hexagons. isn’t it wonderful?

By: Mal

Mal — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:41:35 +0000

Actually, I envision the red as being me. Since I am exploring my personal connections to everyone, there is red in the center of every flower — including the “flower” created by the entire quilt.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:44:24 +0000

I appreciate your deep thinking and the connections you make to your project. I love to do the same thing, quilts have such meaning and connection to life’s experiences. You articulated your thoughts with sincerity and love for your family. Thank you for sharing.

By: Sally

Sally — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:55:38 +0000

Woo, Leslie, you’ve got something there. Mal, is the white center yourownself, surrounded by your sibs?
I caught the Hexagon bug this past winter; like you, I think there’s a strong sense of order inherent in the making – even stitches, tessellating shapes … but my metaphor ends there as I am one of only four children. I do think the act of handstitching provides a small pool of calm – and since I hit my mid-40’s that’s been a precious and little-seen thing!

By: Leslie

Leslie — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:19:32 +0000

I get cha here. So here’s something to ponder, all the hexie flowerettes have a red center except for the red flowerette which has a white center. Accident? Intentional? Hmmm… the plot thickens.

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:12:07 +0000

More interesting food for thought.

My undergraduate studies were in photography. I was constantly drawn to doorways. I look back now (almost 20 years later) at photos taken during college and many many of them were of doorways. I used to have a recurring dream of walking through a house and in each room there was a door. I’d open the door and there would be another room with a door. It wasn’t a scary dream – just compelling. I was compelled to open the doors. In the photos I would often frame something I was looking at by viewing it through the doorway. Self portraits were taken in the door frame or from one side looking at the other. I’m still trying to understand these metaphors. I have some thoughts and I’m not sure I’ll ever be certain, but I know there’s something there…