This is the very first quilt I ever started and how naive was I to think that I would actually finish a completely hand-stitched queen size hexagon quilt in no time! I usually put it away for a few weeks after working on it regularly for months. This way I don’t get tired of working on it and lose interest. I pulled it back out again last week to start working on it. The pieces are made from 3/4″ hexies with 2″ square fabrics pieces.
I am using 13 solids of Kaufman Kona for the flowers and Canary Yellow for the center. For the row I will be working on, I make all the hexagon pieces ahead of time. These are all the hexagons I made last week for the current row.
Hexie pieces sewed through the paper
Previously when I made my fabric hexagon pieces, I used to sew through the hexagon paper templates to attach the fabric pieces to them. Last week I figured out a way to make my hexies without stitching the fabric pieces to the paper templates.
I wrote up a tutorial with lots of photos, hope you find it useful. I had to put the piece down to take the photos. Make sure to hold the folds down with your left thumb while you are sewing the corners.
1. Place the paper template on the square fabric.
2. Fold the top corner of the fabric over the paper template.
3. Fold the next side over the first fold.
4. Put the needle through the folds, but not through the paper.
5. Pull the thread through leaving a little tail behind. I don’t usually put knots because its easier for me to remove the thread bits without the knots.
6. Now go over it one more time through the folds.
7. This is what the first corner should look like.
8. Follow steps 4 and 5 around each corner.
9. When you get to the last corner, go through the last folded fabric and the flat fabric underneath it from the very first fold.
10. Just like the other corners, stitch through the same folds one more time.
11. I go though the very first stitched corner one last time to secure the fabric to the template nicely. Cut the thread after you pull it once through the first corner.
12. Your very first thread-tail and and last-cut thread should be at two sides of the very first corner.
Front and back of the finished hexie
I can’t say it’s any faster than sewing through the paper, but I do feel my wrist relaxing because of the lack of pressure exerted by the needle going through the paper. It doesn’t sound like much, but it makes a difference when you are making many pieces all together. Also the templates stay intact, so they can be reused many more times. This process also saves the needle from getting blunt too quickly from going through paper. I really like this new method for making hexies.
Last week I got a surprise email from Joan at MooseStash Quilting telling me that I got this gorgeous snow-dyed fabric made by her as the Flag On A Stick giveaway winner!! You will not believe how beautiful the texture is on this fabric and she even included a two-year planner! Thank you so much, Joan!! I have to think of something really pretty to make with this fabric.
I also have a giveaway winner to announce –
Robin is the winner of the these two patterns – Spring Kites and Fair Isle Star.
Congratulations Robin and I will email them to you very soon!
Until next time!
-Soma
25 Comments
Rumi
Like the result. I totally understand what you mean. The interesting thing is that I have began a big hexi project 2 years ago. Put away after some months sewing and this month decided to finish it: http://3patchcrafts.blogspot.com/2014/04/two-years-later.html.
Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
hexies are so much work. I’ve never tackled them. It is so pretty and will be worth it though!
Thanks so much for linking up to Needle and Thread Thursday!
:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
Celine
Wow I love your hexies! Visiting from NTT
Kathi Riemer
Wow, what a lot of work. Your quilt will be beautiful!! Thank you for sharing the tutorial.
Kathi
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow
Painstakingly slow but a masterpiece in the end ! :)
Sue
Love your hexie project, looks fabulous.
Leanne Parsons
Your quilt is looking beautiful! I baste my hexies the same way.
Katy S
Beautiful! It will be worth all the work when you are done.
Lorna McMahon
Thanks for sharing your tutorial on making the hexis. Glad to hear you found an easier way to make them. Sure is a fine looking WIP! Keep on doing what you’re doing!
Kim W. (Mama Eggo)
Wow! Your FIRST quilt you ever attempted?! Way to set the bar high! This is amazing!
Marie Lismore
Your hexie quilt is gorgeous! Fabulous tutorial too! Thanks for sharing.
Sheesh
Very nice colors. I like it when someone shares a new or different way of doing something. Remember to exercise or stretch your hands every 10-15 minutes. Place hands (palms) together and then push one hand against the other. Here is one web site: http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/ctexercise.htm also: http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/carpal-tunnel/stretching-exercises-for-preventing-carpal-tunnel-syndrome
Keep us posted on your progress.
Vera
That is really long term project Soma :-) I sewed my first hexagons through paper as well and than I saw tutorial just like yours and I like it better that way too.
Susan @theboredzombie.com
This quilt is your bowser! I do exactly the same thing with him. Work on it a bit, put it away for a bit. I don’t think I could do it any other way without just giving up completely and tossing him right in the trash! Good for us for making it work, even if it does take a lifetime. :)
Cheryl
Your quilt looks wonderful, it is going to be so bright and cheery.
Janine
Your hexies are lovely. Thank you for the tute :)
Kathleen
Just beautiful! Makes me smile with all those pretty colors.
Gai Butler
You quilt is looking beautiful, just love the colours. I also use the sewline glue pen to ‘baste’ – works brilliantly. When basting as you have in your great tutorial, you don’t even have to remove the thread when the quilt if finished if you are careful to choose a thread colour that doesn’t show through to the front of the fabric. Can’t wait to see more colourful hexies added.
evelyn
Beautiful! I cannot imagine using such small hexies. I made a quilt with larger hexies. I sew the fabric on the same as in your tutorial, but first, I use a hole punch and put two holes in the centre of each paper hexiie. I use a straight pin the hold the fabric in place while I stitch it around the template, and take it out right after. The advantage of the two holes comes when you have sewn the hexies together, you can remove the paper with a crochet hook-it pops right out-ready to use again.
AmandaK@whatthebobbin.com
That is going to be one gorgeous quilt when you get around to finishing it :) Nice tutorial.
Four dogs and one quilter
I second Carin’s suggestion to use glue sticks to “baste” the hexagons. Much faster than needle and thread. I use Elmers School glue sticks and that works well. Love the yellow centers. Look forward to seeing the finished quilt.
Susie
This is going to be a stunning quilt! I love your colors, and how you have the yellow center in them. This is a LOT of hexies… I think you are smart doing them for awhile, resting from it, and then picking it up again.
Excellent pictures and tutorial!
Susie
Kim
Those hexagons are looking gorgeous Soma, and EPP is such a brilliantly portable project to carry around. I feel my fingers getting itchier and itchier to be sewing again, and I may have to succumb and pick up some templates. Not sure I’m up for a queen sized cover though, too many other things to be finished first.
Love seeing the progress reports on your hexies, look forward to seeing it completed :)
krislovesfabric
The colors look gorgeous, this is one happy flower garden. I make hexies in a similar way but I usually get piles made and then don’t much want to whip stitch them together…that is my hang-up. Congrats on your win :)
Carin
That is looking great !!
When I have to make hexagons I always use a sewline glue pen… that is going fast and you can use those hexagons again and again also.