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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Hand Sewing Hexagons


Last week, I decided that I'm starting to like hand sewing. I previously had a serious phobia to sewing by hand, but lately I had to hand sew lots of leather handles and other things out of necessity. I'm starting to enjoy it. So I thought it was time to tackle something that I have been longing to do for a long time...hand sew some hexagons!

It's really not hard at all once you get started. There's a great 3-part tutorial at Jaybird Quilts if you're interested.

Anna Maria Horner Folksy Flannel. Image from Pink Castle Fabrics.
I am using a fat quarter set that I have of Anna Maria Horner's Folksy Flannel. These fabrics are absolutely lovely, but I had no idea what to make with them. I don't really care for the way that flannels get pilly when you wash them, so I knew that it had to be a project that I probably would not be washing (unless in an emergency, lol). I thought a pillow would be nice.


Although the plastic hexagon templates looked inviting, I wanted something that I could start with immediately, so I printed out 1.5" hexagon pieces from here.


And I used my Accuquilt Go! Baby to cut the middle-sized hexagons. They cut really quickly, and I was able to cut twice as many flannels through the die as I'm used to cutting with quilting cotton.


I put together a little travel box for my purse using all the supplies necessary for hand sewing the hexagons...small scissors, 2 needles (one for securing the paper to one edge of the hexagon temporarily, and the other for the actual hand sewing), thread, paper templates, and my cut fabric. Not that I have a huge amount of free time on my hands, but my kids go to class every Friday for an hour, so I figure I could get a dozen or so finished every week (no hurry on the pillow). :-)

21 comments:

  1. Looks great Sara! Perfect use of that adorable flannel!

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  2. LOL, I decided that I liked hand sewing about 6 weeks ago, and I've been hand sewing hexagons every available moment since then. They are terribly addictive, aren't they!

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  3. I love sewing hexagons. They are such a great portable project!

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  4. Looks like you have hexie addiction! They are looking great!

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  5. Your hexies are great. An once you've started, you'll never ever stop. I have a 1/4" hexagon project going on forever, by now 2500 hexies!

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  6. Travel box is an AWESOME idea, I can do this while waiting in the parent pick up line!!!!! They are beautiful Sara!

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  7. OMG I'm doing the same thing. My 72 are finished I'm just putting them together now in rows =D

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  8. Oh hexie pillow making has been my ballet lesson diversion for the last 6 months - perfect x

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  9. Ooh, that's going to be such a soft, tactile cushion! I'm thinking I need to assemble a wee hand kit of some kind for when I'm travelling...

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  10. Wow looking at these it makes me want to get my hexies out again.....

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  11. I have been working on a grandmothers flower garden with the little hexs and have really loved doing these. They are easy and addicting I haven't decided how big I am going but love the look so far! I kid with my quilt group that they can use it to cover my casket,finished or not! Work in progress!
    Christa Marcotte
    Acmarcotte@sasktel.net

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  12. I am in the midst of a hexie project...using a different method. I press my fabric to freezer paper, then run it through the printer using inklingo available at lindafranz.com. Check it out!!

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  13. just started hexagons. Warning....it's addictive :)

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  14. I love my hexi's. I printed my own templates, and one thing I wish I had done was sew through the paper. When you start sewing them together the paper wants to slip out and some things just don't come out even.

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  15. So cute! I love that line it will be a gorgeous cushion :)

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  16. Love your little 'travel sewing kit' - I always have at least 2 projects on the go - one for machine sewing and one for hand sewing/quilting (which needs to be smaller and more portable). This is a perfect project - can't wait to see the finished cushion!

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  17. They look so pretty too, looking forward to seeing them put together. I bought a hexagon quilt kit from ebaya few years ago, still trying to get up the courage to start it lol.

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  18. Your quilts/crafts are so fantastic! It's so nice to find other quilters all around the world!
    www.quiltworld2.blogspot.com
    Hugs, Ulla (from Finland)

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  19. I'm just starting to brave handsewing too. It is addictive. I have an idea of a hexi quilt but I haven't started it yet. I can't believe I'm thinking of multiple hand projects.

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  20. I love hexagons! I am still looking for some inspiration and thanks to it I found your blog! Lovely start of project :-) J.

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