Actually hand piecing and machine piecing can sometimes have different ways of joining..I, personally would not machine piece 2 1/2" hexies...find the you tube video from Kaye wood.....she has a good way of machine joining Y seams without leaving that 1/4" unsown end....
To see a good tute on hand piecing Hexies and other shapes....Sue Daley is the gal!
I have the GO and the hexie dies, I am using the one that cuts both paper pieces and fabric.....I only use the paper cutting part...bought the acrylic template from PaperPieces.com to cut the fab.....larger seam allowance. Am doing a GFG