Tuesday, June 12, 2012

I See Hexagons in Your Future

I know I am sounding like a broken record, but maybe some of you have missed it or just found my blog and books and perhaps are just joining us now. Every month we make a small quilt in order to finish a goal of making 12 small quilts this year. I choose the pattern from one of my books. (Yes, that means you have to have the book or borrow it to make the quilt.) This month's quilt is easy (see posting below this one and then also search the blog Archives by month for the other quilts). So when you finish it, here's something else to think about. Some of you have requested that we do the Hexagon quilt from my latest book, The Civil War Sewing Circle, this year and I decided that this will be the quilt for the month of October.  


If you have time this summer, you can get a head start by making your little hexagons in preparation for sewing the quilt together later in the fall. So now you know and don't say I didn't give you fair warning. I know it's only June, and even though you may think you have plenty of time, wouldn't it be smart to get some of the hexagons flowers finished now? Then you can whip up the quilt rather quickly come October. Those of you who are still dreaming of catching up and making 12 quilts with us this year, stop stalling - time to get to work.


These hexagons are so much fun and very easy too. Try making just a couple and you'll soon be hooked. If you get started now,  by October you'll have enough flowerettes for several hexagon quilts.  While you're at it, you might want to make this cute little box that's in the book too. The perfect size for keeping them safe. No little puppies with prying paws will even know they're in there!





Look in the book for directions to make the quilt. If you get started making the flowers now, they'll be all ready to put together and won't that be nice? The hard part will be finished.


I used printable hexagons generated by this website to make mine and set each to come out at .60. Print them out on cardstock so you can use them over and over. There are also places that sell pre-cut paper hexagons but this worked fine for me since I already had a ton of cardstock lying around.


Just cut out the hexagon paper pieces, place on the wrong side of a small scrap, cut 1/4 inch around the shape and then fold over the edges and baste one at a time. The stitches should not go through the paper.


I like to punch a hole in the center of the paper before I cut them out and find that if I use a small applique pin to hold the fabric in place the paper does not slip so much. And then it's also easy to pull the paper piece out later with a seam ripper.


Once you've made your hexagons, you then connect them (like spokes on a wheel) to the center hexagon, one at a time. (Directions in the book)

Hexagon quilts were actually very popular during the 19th century even though we are more familiar with calling them Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts from the '30s. Sometimes they were called Mosaic or Honeycomb quilts. Even though my little quilt is finished I still like to pick up some scraps and make a few every now and them - it's so relaxing. Maybe I'll make a bigger one someday. I think I probably have enough.


18 comments:

Julimond said...

So wonderful, i like sewing PP with hand, in Germany, we call it "lieseln"
The colours are really for me ;-))
I think, i have to do one little Quilt this year.

Greetings
Iris

Elin said...

What is the exact size of hexagons? I will try some of these, I think...

Jana said...

What a great idea! I can sew a little during my summer holidays. Thank you.

Marsha B said...

The bad news is I got behind, I just finished binding the March quilt last night, April is done, May is almost quilted and June is pieced and sandwiched, waiting for quilting. The good news, I am ahead on the October quilt. I have the PP flowers attached to the background fabric, all ready to stitch together! I'm loving these little quilts!

Judith said...

This is one of my favorite pattern to quilt. EPP! I have a larger quilt already started, but could not find anymore of the fabric. So I am stump. I do have fabric for this project and will get a head start for October. Will post a photo in the SQT Group. Judith, Texas

Sylke Feldhusen said...

It's a good summer project, and I love your quilt! I have the book, too - think I shall make this :)

Lesley said...

Thank you so much for the heads up! I'm a little behind in the monthly projects but have promised myself I will catch up. These hexies would be a perfect project to work on when travelling over the summer. Thank you!

Deb said...

It is so funny I was thinking that this one would be next you have been toooo easy on us. Now that the flowers are in bloom our blocks can bloom too...

quilterknitter said...

Do you rotary cut the card stock shapes or hand cut? I've printed some and want to get started.

Kathleen Tracy said...

I cut them out by hand. Sounds daunting but really does not take very long.

Judy said...

What great timing as I was just thinking of making a hexie quilt! Thanks for a great post on a really neat little quilt. I'll see if I can find your book locally so I can get started. *Fun*

Jantine said...

I agree, sewing hexagons is relaxing and the perfect holiday project. I have to get started cutting new ones out for the upcoming vacation!

Gayle said...

Yay! I made this quilt last fall when we drove to Santa Fe - so I'm ahead of the game for once! LOL

Shuttle, Hook and Needle said...

I look forward to making this little quilt and learning hexagons! I have already made one of the little boxes with some variation on yours. It is a favorite box of mine. I am ahead because I had already made the quilt for this month but I am going to make another one next week with my daughter who is coming to visit. Mother and Daughter sewing day!
Louise

Jolana said...

Lovely!!! I like to sew hexies and it is very nice inspiration :-) Jolana

Kay said...

This looks like a fun quilt. I have hexagon love at theminute and am making a bag out of them. They are just so easy to put together and I can do it anywhere with little concentration needed too.

Anonymous said...

I love doing hexagons and want to get started. One problem, though. I'm in US on my yearly R&R and my book is in Rgypt where I live. Would please be so kind and tell my what size the hexagons are in the project.
Thanks, Debbie
fetchr@aol.com

Holly said...

How inspirational!! I've already printed out some hexies, and cutting out!! I really needed a portable project for the next few weeks, so thanks. I just found your blog, and like it very much!