alwaysquilting
judysew4th
knitsnquilts
ladybirdee
When searching for a new portable project for 2013 I considered making something with English Paper pieced hexagons but ….. I really like using my sewing machine for patchwork piecing and that really isn’t a very portable way to sew, or the easiest way to join hexagons.
Having said that though, I want to share with you some of the hexagon quilts that my friends have made using English paper piecing:
Ladybirdee’s wall hanging is approximately 12″ x 12″, so the feature fabric hexagons are quite small.
She says:
Cotton Mako’ 40 works well for paper piecing. It resists any abrasion if it gets caught in the papers and it is fine enough to give a neat, invisible stitch.
A small portable project
And then there is this miniature. Follow the link to see another set of miniature hexagons in Judysew4th’s friendship quilt
Amazingly tiny hexagons
I have also quilted some very pretty “Grandmother’s Flower Garden” quilts made with hexagons:
This quilt was made with big bold hexagons and sandwiched with a fluffy batting, making a very cuddly quilt
By contrast, the following quilt was pieced with quite small hexagons.
The white background gives this old fashioned technique a modern twist.
Hexagons do lend themselves to ‘fussy cutting”, and can look great on coloured backgrounds
This is a clever use of fabric to add spice to the traditional Grandmother’s Flower Garden block
I’ve decided that I like the way hexagon quilts:
- use up the small pieces of fabric in the stash, and
- the way the fabrics can be colour coordinated
- and the way the hexagons can be fussy cut
However, I am not quite ready to make my own quilt using English paper piecing. I will have to find another method to make a hexagon project.
If you enjoy hand sewing don’t let my love of machine piecing stop you from trying this hand piecing method.
For more information about English Paper Piecing:
Fat Quarterly had a sew along running in 2012 and shared some very clear instructions:
Martingale features an extract from a book showing interesting, non traditional uses, for piecing the hexagons:
Lizard of Oz no longer sells pre-cut papers but her very useful written instruction is still available for free download:
How to stitch English Paper Piece
I will keep searching for my next portable project for 2013.
Your suggestions are welcome.
Filed under: Cotton Mako', Cotton Mako' Ne 40, Hexagons, Home page, Patchwork, Tuesday Treats Tagged: | Cotton Mako', Hexagon, Patchwork, quilt, Tuesday Treats
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Hi Giane, A customer came into the store with her version of Linda Franz’s Quilted Diamonds quilt. It did look fantastic, so maybe sometime in the future.
Sorry your photos didn’t upload into the comments. I would love to see your work (& share your photos here) so your could email them directly to me if you wish. (address is in the Contact Us box to left of screen.)
Jenny you need to try my iron on wash away hexies. You can put them together by machine as there are no papers to remove. They just wash away once you are done!
Hi Helen, thank you, I knew someone would have a clever idea for machine piecing hexagons.
I will explore your website: http://www.hugsnkisses.net/
Hi!
I love to have a hand piecing project to just pick up and take with me. If you want a fun, challenging project try Linda Franz’s Quilted Diamonds and Quilted Diamonds II. They are so awesome!!! She made her first one a two color quilt in blue and white. I have been collecting Autumn colors so mine is in all the fall colors.
Here are some pictures of my blocks. Hopefully they’ll come through ok.
Have fun!!!
Giane
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