Suze9395

I just want to say, my stitches don't show.
And, the idea of hand stitching a 1/4" seam makes me quake in by boots!
I am sooo glad there is more than one way to done things!!

BellaBoo

Really it's less time consuming and easier then basting and whipstitching and removing papers. I can get a GFG round done in a few minutes. When I done I'm done, no other steps needed. Most hex sewers in my guild does it this way too.

Quiltbeagle

I print a hexie template on cardstock weight paper, then cut them out with a quilt ruler and a rotary cutter with an old (but good) blade (the template I use is available for free from Texasfreckles.com). I don't cut my fabric in hexagon shapes as that is just too much work for me... I just cut them in squares, then baste around the cardstock cutouts. I just baste through the fabric at each corner of the hexagon, and not through the paper itself. I'm making 1 1/2" hexies and cut my fabric in 2 1/2" squares. I generally sew them together when I have enough to do an individual flower, but if I feel like basting extras I'll do that instead.

Susan7639

Thank you all for the wealth of ideas. I am going to have to take the time to digest what each of you are saying as this is such new territory to me. All I know for sure is that the quilts I respond to the most are antique hexagon with diamond shapes. Not sure how the hand work would play put for me as I have already had joint replacement but going to give it a whirl. Thanks again!

QuiltE

Start with something small, just to get a feel of it.
I did a single flower ... then graduated to a small tabletopper ... now a larger one.
And am now gathering fabrics for a a much bigger GFG project that I want to do!

Can you tell I got hooked?

KLO

Karen over at http://karensquilting.com/blog/ does a lot of hand piecing and has been working with hexies for a while now. She uses Inklingo to actually print the hexies right on her fabric. Check out this post: http://karensquilting.com/blog/2013/...es-and-hexies/ Here's the link for Inklingo: http://inklingo.com/section/home/71

By the way, Karen has made two, really two, Dear Jane quilts, hand pieced and hand quilted. She is very productive!

And then of course there is Bonnie Hunter the ultimate scrap quilter over at Quiltville. She has a tutorial on making hexies here: http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2010/...-tutorial.html

(I hope this helps and I hope it was OK to post all these links?)

PS: Karen is currently working on a diamond shaped hexie quilt in case you want to check that out on her blog.

sewplease

Maybe I missed it, but I don't think anyone mentioned using fabric stamps. Check the websites for Cindy Blackberg, a great handpiecer, and Stamps by Kate. I have stamps from both of them including a hexie stamp which I should find. You will sew a 1/4" seam, like BellaBoo mentioned, but the sewing lines are marked. The stamps are great in that you can use small scraps that may be hard to run through a computer.

moneill

Easiest and wonderful way. I totally vouch for this. It's from Becky Goldsmith at Piece o Cake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4z-fM5A7EU

Scrappy Gram

there's a new method described in this book Quick and Easy Hexie Quilts http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Easy-Hex.../dp/1604600551 - You just start with circles and fold them into hexies. No paper!

I can't afford the book, so I sat down and figured out how to fold them and it's quick and easy!

Debbie

danlynmartin

I find I can spend a lot of useful time putting the hexies together while I am watching TV. I only catch the corners where they are folded over. However saying that I starch my fabric before I start. I do like the plastic templates from Brandy's and use them over and over. I have completed a 725 hexie wall hanging that I received first prize for at a quilt show. I thought once that it was a once in a lifetime project but not so. I am at it again and loving it. BTW these are 1/4 inch that I am talking about.