For the past two years I have been working on my version of Grit’s wonderful La Passion. In November of 2013 I was trying to figure out how to finally finish off my grandmother’s flower garden that had been sitting around for many years. I had picked it out of the UFO pile that spring, and started bringing it with me while my son attended trampoline class. By September I needed a solution to fill the ends in, and a way to finish the edges without cutting off the hexies. While wandering about on Pinterest, I saw a photo of Grit’s partially finished La Passion. It was like being struck by lightning. You can see her original, along with the pattern information at her blog, here. My “passion” for EPP was just firing up, and here was a woman with a masterpiece, made out of 1/2″ hexies (crazy!), and the name was absolutely perfect.
My grandmother’s flower garden was 1″ hexies. I put my work into finishing my current handwork into overdrive, not wanting it to go back into the UFO basket. I did manage to finish it, and entered it into the quilting competition at The Big E. I won a first place ribbon, and a judge’s choice award. I can’t wait to see what they think of La Passion.
I ordered around a thousand mylar 1/2″ hexies from Brandy’s Quilt Patterns, and decided I would jump in with a 1/2 yard assortment of purple batiks I had stashed. I chose a light batik background that reads whitish when compared to the purples, and a bright orange piece I had several yards of. I initially thought I would make a stash quilt, using my favorite color combination, swapping purple and orange for Grit’s blue and green. I was able to start up full steam in December of 2013. Friends who had called me crazy before had now run out of adjectives. Particularly when they learned the quilt would be king sized.
What started out as a take-along project has now taken over most of my sewing time. I’m finally almost to the point in the quilt where Grit was when I discovered it.
I take this quilt everywhere with me. It has been to Europe, the Caribbean, on planes, trains and automobiles, to football, baseball, and basketball games, and anywhere else where I might be able to sit still. Clearly, I need to be taking more photos of her in her travels.
If you are considering making this quilt, do it. It is wonderful design, and there is a great support group on Facebook. On Wednesdays we post a photo of our progress. Knowing I will need to share my progress keeps me motivated, and seeing the great color and pattern variations is fun. Join us! You have nothing to lose but your time and your mind, and if you have read this far, your mind is probably already a lost cause.
I am amazed!!! It’s beautiful !!! I’m a beginner in quilting, but generally sew a lot so have quite a few fabric scraps. Was thinking to start one like that because these hexagon quilts are georgeous…. And yours is an inspiration..
Thank you!
I just discovered your blog from my AQS Newsletter, and I’m SO excited! Thank you for the tutorial, which I printed and will study. I’m 67, have sewn since 4th grade, began quilting 20 years ago. I attended the AQS show in Paducah in May and watched the “hexies” do their thing, so I’m ready to give it a try! I look forward to following your blog and becoming even more inspired. Thank you so much for sharing your two patterns… can’t wait to get started after Christmas… Have a wonderful holiday season!
Fondly, Ande Odegaard
Thank you!
Do you know what yardage requirement is for this quilt?
Have you found the Facebook group? It is called “Hexagonquilt La Passion” and is run by Grit Kovacs. There are files in there with all kinds of information. I believe it is somewhere around 35 yards.
Wowwww. Your hexies are tiny. Thanks for sharing. I will start one soon
Have fun!
I have been drooling over Brit’s quilt and all the others I see for a long…. time. Your colors are so close to what I want to use, but I want to add pink and yellow with the orange and purple to get a sunrise effect. How much purple did you use? is it the 9 yards the Facebook page says? Thank you
LOVE LOVE your version!!!!
I never kept track of how much fabric I used. I’m certain it is way more than 9 yards.
Okay, thanks, I just need to get off the fence and start!!!
Do it! Once I got started, I stopped worrying about the colors. Even the parts I don’t love as much look great once more is added.
I would like to know where I can buy the pattern for la Passion.
Hey, Janet –
The pattern is available for free on the designer’s website. https://gritslife1.blogspot.com/p/hexagonquilt.html
It is in German, but she has lots of it translated. There is also a Hexagonquilt La Passion Facebook group. There are lots of supportive members and information available, but it is also predominantly German.
I’m so confused about how to get the pattern. When I go to the website, it says 10 euros and the directions for ordering are in German. What am I doing wrong?!
Hey, Marguerite –
You aren’t doing anything wrong. The author is a German woman with a shop in Germany. If you use Google Chrome, there is a “translation” option that appears. It helps.
Fabric requirements please…
Hey, Janet – I don’t have a list of fabric requirements. There is a file that explains some of it on the Facebook group. It really depends on which colors you use where. My project colors have evolved as I have gone along. With each round I make sure I have enough of whatever colors I’m planning to use. I know that I can get about 624 hexies out of a yard of fabric. The pattern tells how many hexies you need for each round.
2021 – and you are finished. I had to pop over here and see what inspired you!! Mylar hexi’s is an awesome idea. Love your travel set up. Mine is a bit like zip lock bags and a pencil box. Love that yours has traveled so well for you. I usually work on mine when I cruise….nothing got done in 2020. Well done!
Sometimes I do ziploc bags, but I find that the scissors and pins get me. I love my little case – I need to decide what is next.