Hexagons hexagons hexagons!!! And some questions...

So I'm missing a "in front of the telly" project and I've settled on making a charm quilt using 1" hexagons (charm quilt means I need to use different fabrics on ALL hexagons). I've not done the math yet but I think I will need more than 1000 hexies from what I've read about it. I bought my first 200 paper hexagons at the sewing festival and I started cutting fabric from my scraps yesterday. I'm thinking that I will do a totally random quilt, but I've not decided yet.

Anyone else that has made one of these? The inspiration for mine was a flickr-group I found (probably through Pinterest). Here is the post about the sew along (it's old but many haven't finished theirs yet):
http://www.texasfreckles.com/p/hexag...ece-along.html

Anyone else want to give it a go? We could have a hexagon quilt along of our own (I'm really new to quilt alongs so I have no idea if there already is one that I can't find etc). :D

Oh and another thing, I bought some kind of glue pen to glue the fabric to the hexies instead of sew basting them (it's specifically made for that kind of use). I've been worrying that
a) the glue will be hard to sew through (I don't trust that it won't gum up my needle).
b) it will be a lot of work pulling out the paper hexies and that the fabric might fray.
c) the glue will damage or dry up over time - I will probably be working on this quilt for a loooong time and as I want it to ber really random I will probably sew the hexagons I have into rows and only add them up later, which means I won't be taking out the paper hexies anytime soon.

Any input? Thank you!!

Wow! You have come up with some challenge there! I don't know what kind of glue you are using. That lapel glue Jenny uses probably will be OK, but I don't know for sure. Maybe you could test it by seeing if the paper will come off after a week. This is not a project for me! I like relatively quick satisfaction. Good sewing! Post progress pictures.

I have done EPP I have a project going now, I just baste it doesn't take that long, it's actually quick. I would worry for the same reasons you do. Glue sticks are great at times but most of the time a machine is sewing through the glue. I love having something I can take everywhere!

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Originally Posted by Wwena

So I'm missing a "in front of the telly" project and I've settled on making a charm quilt using 1" hexagons (charm quilt means I need to use different fabrics on ALL hexagons). I've not done the math yet but I think I will need more than 1000 hexies from what I've read about it. I bought my first 200 paper hexagons at the sewing festival and I started cutting fabric from my scraps yesterday. I'm thinking that I will do a totally random quilt, but I've not decided yet.

Anyone else that has made one of these? The inspiration for mine was a flickr-group I found (probably through Pinterest). Here is the post about the sew along (it's old but many haven't finished theirs yet):
http://www.texasfreckles.com/p/hexag...ece-along.html

Anyone else want to give it a go? We could have a hexagon quilt along of our own (I'm really new to quilt alongs so I have no idea if there already is one that I can't find etc). :D

Oh and another thing, I bought some kind of glue pen to glue the fabric to the hexies instead of sew basting them (it's specifically made for that kind of use). I've been worrying that
a) the glue will be hard to sew through (I don't trust that it won't gum up my needle).
b) it will be a lot of work pulling out the paper hexies and that the fabric might fray.
c) the glue will damage or dry up over time - I will probably be working on this quilt for a loooong time and as I want it to ber really random I will probably sew the hexagons I have into rows and only add them up later, which means I won't be taking out the paper hexies anytime soon.

Any input? Thank you!!

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Thanks a lot for the above link. Just spent at least 1 hour to go thru and I thought it was very interesting. I started a hexagon quilt last year during summer and intend to continue this summer. I will try to do it in blue fabrics only (summer). One of the reasons I started was, that I could take it around and sew where ever I'm, in the car or train, on the beach anywhere.
When I ever get it done I'll post the picture. I also intend to make rows and then sew them together and finally handquilt it. God knows when.

thanks again for the info and many greetings from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Michèle

Well, you have me intrigued. I was just looking at the link you provided. I've never done paper piecing and have always wanted to try it, but wonder if I have the patience. I'm afraid it might be something I would start and never finish. Tempted to try just a few hexies and see how it goes. Would be nice to have something to do in front of the TV. Post some pics of your progress. I would love to follow this.

Will do!

I've decided to not use the glue and just use old school basting. I'll see how long that resolution lasts hehe.

I'm happy more got interested! I'd love to see that summer blue quilt for sure. :)

This is English paper piecing. I have never done that before. The paper piecing I hate so much is the other kind.

I don't recommend using glue on your project especially if they will be stuck together for a long time. I think hand basting them together is the way to go. Barb

Oh how NEAT! I really love hexagons. I had so much fun looking through that link you posted!

I did one english paper piecing project, my dog's bed cover. I really enjoyed it! I have been thinking of doing a hexie paper piecing project for a while now. This is very tempting.....

I would not use glue. When I did my project I used freezer paper and thread basting. It was easy to make the pattern and easy to rip out afterwards. I have also seen some mylar hexie pieces that I thought was a great idea! I had to be real careful when sewing the pieces together, I did sew quite a few of the papers together. Not a huge big deal but did take a bit more to get the papers out when that happens. I think the mylar would help me with that!

I do LOVE! the random hexi design! I have been thinking of a postage stamp scrap quilt, to me a hexi instead of a square is much nicer.

What size piece of fabric do you need to make a 1" hexagon?

41 thread basted and counting! :)

2.5" is needed, so same as a jelly roll in width.

Yes, aren't the pictures inspiring?! :D

I didnt know this was called English paper piecing, thanks Joyce.

Anna what a good idea. I love hexagons. I agree with your final decision to thread baste.

I just ordered some 1.25" mylar hexies! I like the little bit bigger size.

Attachment 40210 PS. HAVE YOU SEEN THIS HEXAGON QUILT?

that is amazing!

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Originally Posted by SandyWhite

Attachment 40210 PS. HAVE YOU SEEN THIS HEXAGON QUILT?

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I saw something similar in an exhibition. It was from a dutch quilter and she did only hexagons and sort of painted her quilts with hexagons. Among others a similar one like this.
Actually that laday got me started on the hexagons. I'll try and look her up, then I'll post her name .

Michèle

I just started my 1st EPP project. I learned a way to baste without sewing thru the templates at last year's Shipshewana Quilt Festival. Here's the same technique I learned. I'm using the 1.25" hex templates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRY3IRB_ELY

Now I need to go back & look at your link. Have fun!

here's mine, over 2500 x 1" hexagons, all by hand...

firstly, if you have the Sewline pen with the glue refills it is FINE, you will have NO problems, it is an excellent product and designed specifically for this use...i use mine for all paper piecing, and some applique if im not doing real needle turn...believe me, it saves so much time and will not damage anything...also, please dont leave your hexy papers in forever, you'll be more motivated if you do it in roundish clusters at a time then remove all the papers except from the outer edge hexys, then you can re-use the papers several times, saves purchasing more...if youre doing a random pattern this is a cynch, just make a flower and go round and round til its about 12" across...still very transportable, but the true pleassure of EPP is the look and feel of it as you sew it, you'll love it when the papers are removed...also, i advise against trying to make it never repeating a fabric...you will go insane!!!...believe me if you repeat a fabric 20 times no one will notice in a quilt of over 2500 hexys!!!...

be patient and youll love the experience!!!...huggs, pami

First of all, that flower quilt is insane!! Wow, just wow.

Second of all, thanks for all the input! Now I'm confused again, but on a higher level. I've been thinking the rows won't be as fun as making flowers... So now I have something to think about when I baste. :)

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Originally Posted by pamipatch

here's mine, over 2500 x 1" hexagons, all by hand...

firstly, if you have the Sewline pen with the glue refills it is FINE, you will have NO problems, it is an excellent product and designed specifically for this use...i use mine for all paper piecing, and some applique if im not doing real needle turn...believe me, it saves so much time and will not damage anything...also, please dont leave your hexy papers in forever, you'll be more motivated if you do it in roundish clusters at a time then remove all the papers except from the outer edge hexys, then you can re-use the papers several times, saves purchasing more...if youre doing a random pattern this is a cynch, just make a flower and go round and round til its about 12" across...still very transportable, but the true pleassure of EPP is the look and feel of it as you sew it, you'll love it when the papers are removed...also, i advise against trying to make it never repeating a fabric...you will go insane!!!...believe me if you repeat a fabric 20 times no one will notice in a quilt of over 2500 hexys!!!...

be patient and youll love the experience!!!...huggs, pami

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That quilt looks terrific. Too bad Î could not get the picture very big to see some details. Well done and thanks for sharing.

Michèle

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Originally Posted by pamipatch

here's mine, over 2500 x 1" hexagons, all by hand...

firstly, if you have the Sewline pen with the glue refills it is FINE, you will have NO problems, it is an excellent product and designed specifically for this use...i use mine for all paper piecing, and some applique if im not doing real needle turn...believe me, it saves so much time and will not damage anything...also, please dont leave your hexy papers in forever, you'll be more motivated if you do it in roundish clusters at a time then remove all the papers except from the outer edge hexys, then you can re-use the papers several times, saves purchasing more...if youre doing a random pattern this is a cynch, just make a flower and go round and round til its about 12" across...still very transportable, but the true pleassure of EPP is the look and feel of it as you sew it, you'll love it when the papers are removed...also, i advise against trying to make it never repeating a fabric...you will go insane!!!...believe me if you repeat a fabric 20 times no one will notice in a quilt of over 2500 hexys!!!...

be patient and youll love the experience!!!...huggs, pami

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Pami that is an absolutely beautiful quilt. Tell me about the Sewline Glue Pen. I've never used it. How do you remove the glue from the paper. Do you have to wet it or does it just come out easily. There is also a glue pen put out by Fonz and Porter. I wonder if it's the same.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pamipatch

here's mine, over 2500 x 1" hexagons, all by hand...

firstly, if you have the Sewline pen with the glue refills it is FINE, you will have NO problems, it is an excellent product and designed specifically for this use...i use mine for all paper piecing, and some applique if im not doing real needle turn...believe me, it saves so much time and will not damage anything...also, please dont leave your hexy papers in forever, you'll be more motivated if you do it in roundish clusters at a time then remove all the papers except from the outer edge hexys, then you can re-use the papers several times, saves purchasing more...if youre doing a random pattern this is a cynch, just make a flower and go round and round til its about 12" across...still very transportable, but the true pleassure of EPP is the look and feel of it as you sew it, you'll love it when the papers are removed...also, i advise against trying to make it never repeating a fabric...you will go insane!!!...believe me if you repeat a fabric 20 times no one will notice in a quilt of over 2500 hexys!!!...

be patient and youll love the experience!!!...huggs, pami

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Pami this is stunning!! When I was searching hexi patterns, I decided on hexi diamonds. Your with diamonds and flowers is the best of both worlds.

This is truly gorgeous!!

And yes PLEASE do explain about the glue pen.

I just noticed that my EQ software will let me play around with hexagon patterns. Anyone have EQ.

OK, guys. I don't think I will ever do this because I don't like doing hand sewing, but I'd like to know where you buy the papers. I tried to find an on-line site, but only found one and it was in Australia. I admire you guys for making this kind of quilt. The quilts in the pictures are amazing.

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Originally Posted by madampolo

OK, guys. I don't think I will ever do this because I don't like doing hand sewing, but I'd like to know where you buy the papers. I tried to find an on-line site, but only found one and it was in Australia. I admire you guys for making this kind of quilt. The quilts in the pictures are amazing.

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http://www.paperpieces.com/

This is where the ones I have came from and what I've seen linked in several blogs. They seem to have every shape imaginable!

Cathryn, this is the pen I bought, the Sewline:

http://www.sewline-product.com/Sewline_Fabric_Glue_Pen

I haven't used it yet but if I get tired of thread basting I sure will. :) I bought some itsy bitsy half inche hexies too which I most definatly will use the pen on the day I decide to use them (I saw a really fetching bag done in those tiny hexies).

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Originally Posted by SandyWhite

I just noticed that my EQ software will let me play around with hexagon patterns. Anyone have EQ.

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I do. I'll have to check it out.

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Originally Posted by madampolo

OK, guys. I don't think I will ever do this because I don't like doing hand sewing, but I'd like to know where you buy the papers. I tried to find an on-line site, but only found one and it was in Australia. I admire you guys for making this kind of quilt. The quilts in the pictures are amazing.

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Connecting Threads has them. I get mine at my local quilt shops.

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Originally Posted by madampolo

OK, guys. I don't think I will ever do this because I don't like doing hand sewing, but I'd like to know where you buy the papers. I tried to find an on-line site, but only found one and it was in Australia. I admire you guys for making this kind of quilt. The quilts in the pictures are amazing.

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I printed mine on cardstock and cut them out :) http://www.printablepaper.net/category/hexagon_graph If you're looking to make a bigger project though, cutting out a billion hexagons starts to get tedious lol

Drats...there's another newer thread I explained about using the pen in if you're interested...

Also, remember if you have a go or go baby you can get a hexy die and cut the fabric hexys really fast, just choose the size up from your papers...I don't cut my own papers coz I think it would stuff the die pretty quick

Cheers Pami

I've done hexagons and I would do them differently - instead of tacking the paper and fabric use a 'herringbone stitch the tack the fabric together so the tacking stays in you don't remove it that way your fabric doesn't 'rise' or come out of shape when it's being used you take the paper out after you've completed - does this make sense - I've tried to find a u-tube video I saw sometime ago which makes perfect sense but I can't find it - my hexagon quilt has become a frayed mess cos I didn't do it right in the first place and also it took me so long that the material got discontinued - I have a square one done the same way - wrong - I'm gonna try and upload some pictures of my errors which I'm trying to put right - also use good quality material

Also I never tied my quilt down to the batting/backing so it was free so I think that's why it frayed so much - anyone any ideas on how to fix / repair mine - I cut my papers from christmas cards and I've used them several times