"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Sewing the Hexagons

 I was sewing on my hexagons in the car on the way home from Missouri and wanted to share how I decided to sew my hexagons together.   I am using a 3 1/2 inch hexagon template I got from Joann's Fabric store.  I marked a 1/4 inch seam allowance and am just doing a running stitch to sew them together.
Next I take the middle section of the flower, and sew the hexies together.  I leave one side open, this allows easier sewing of the center of the flower.
 I take the middle and start sewing it on at one of the open ends of the middle part.
 This is what it looks like after I have sewn two sides on.
 Here is a picture after sewing all six sides to the middle flower.  I then sew up the open side.
 I do the outer flower next.  I sew it it opposite of how I sewed the middle flower.  I leave the sides open and sew them onto the middle flower.  Can you tell what I am saying from the pictures?
 Just be careful if you are sewing these together in the car after a very long vacation that you don't make a stupid mistake like me.  Every other petal is sewn onto two hexies and then one hexies.  The two hexies form a v and the "corner" of a hexie fits in there perfect.  Well, I was tired and actually sewed a new petal onto every side!  It took me a few minutes to figure out why I ran out of hexies!  I had already sewn about ten of these hexies without making that mistake!
When you are done you will have 1 hexie in the center, six in the middle and twelve on the outside.  They have come out to be 16 1/2 inches.  This is what the finished flower looks like.  I'll show you an update later on how many I have finished.

I hope this tutorial makes sense!  I have just been figuring this out as I go, so I am not an expert in any way.
For an update on this quilt, go here:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/05/design-wall-monday.html
I am open to suggestions and questions!
Happy quilting!
Missy

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I always do my handwork when I am too tired too. It's great to wind down, but I always wind a little too far & booboo. Your hexis are gorgeous. Love your colors!

Kat said...

I have recently started making hexies, but I have been basting them to paper hexagon templates then sewing them together. Looks like your method would save a few steps. I'm going to give this a try. Thanks for sharing!

Quiet Quilter said...

Sewing in a car is something I cannot do, unless the car is in a parking lot and I am waiting in it. Nice tutorial and like your color scheme....

krisgray said...

Love your flowers with the panel - very cute!! I always wondered how to do the hexies without the paper!

Sarah Craig said...

Great tutorial, Missy! Thanks so much for sharing!! Whoop whoop!!

Sue Daurio said...

I'm with you sewing hexies in the car. Yours look great and an interesting technique.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Wonderful tutorial Missy! You are sure fast at making your hexies! Thanks for sharing!
Quilting at the River Linky Party Tuesday

Jo said...

LOOKING GOOD....I have never tried to hand quilt without doing it the English Paper Piecing way.

"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Psalm 34:8