PART ONE: IngredientsChoosing fabric from your stash...you will need varied strips wide enough to fit the size template you are using.
Buying fabric...for a quilt 180cm x 180cm you will need approximately 30 x 25cm strips or fat quarters.
A word about fabrics...smaller all over prints work best for this although fussy cutting larger prints can definitely work as long as you make sure the seam does not cut into the pattern too much….ie you do not want to join together the head of a monkey with the feet of a monkey…you need to really try to read the finished hexagon, when quilted, as if it were only one block.
*Border fabric…if you would like to use a border you will need extra fabric for that…I am using one of my feature fabrics.
*Half Hexagon template purchased from quilt shop or template made from plastic. When I was researching this tutorial I found a link to a free pattern on one of the quilting magazine sites…it is in PDF form and has a template…a large one …you might find it useful.
*Template plastic or paper for piecing templates….I use spare scrapbooking paper… anything that is spare really like good quality magazine brochures…it has to be able to take a few pins without a battle and without it being so flimsy that it disintegrates.
*Pins, design wall of some kind, thread, batting of choice, backing fabric, binding fabric, scissors and /or rotary cutters and mats, sewing machine, new sewing machine needle.
The variety of quilts to make this way is simply endless……recently I saw a fabulous one made with alternate white hexagons.…. and another which would work with half hexagons is here. My friend Joan made one in an unusual layout …it is here.
My two finished ones so far are…..the mosaic top
and the grandmother’s garden above…modern style…still not sure whether that should be a cushion or a tote bag!
Part Two… cutting and auditioning hexies.
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4 Comments
i’ve been playing with some half hexes too…i love the way this one was quilted! so great to see you doing a tutorial!! i’ll be reading along for sure.
I actually quilted it thE way Ruth recommended and was thrilled with it! Can’t wait to see what you do with half hexies!
Glad to see this Kathleen, if anyone wants another size just let me know
Thank you so much Ruth….I tried looking online for the ready cut papers…does Maggie have them in her shop? If she does I will link to her obviously…and to your flickr for your diagrams!
I’ve never used the paper method, I always cut a template plastic template, so Maggie doesn’t have them. If you mark on the 1/4 inch seam allowence using a plastic template can also help with fussy cutting as you can see the fabric design through the template and judge the seam allowences. But.. each to their own I say, just use the mthod you like the best
Ruth x
Hi Ruth…silly me I forgot to put in about the template plastic….so focused on going step by step through how I have done it! I know I have seen the papers somewhere online. I guess I do it this way because it hurts my arthritis less…much less than rotary cutting…I did buy one when we did the quiltalong but the rotary cutting really hurt my hands and shoulders…silly nerve damage!
I guess I could also name this confessions / secrets of a decrepit 52 year old quilter lol…or alternately how to make half hexis without pain by a decrepit before her time quilter!
Thank you for sending me the templates for the half hexes. I’ll post pictures when I get it in gear.
Great Lainee…what fun….I have met two lovely ladies now through this!