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-   -   Tutorial on Hickory Nut quilt blocks (https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutorials-f10/tutorial-hickory-nut-quilt-blocks-t27345.html)

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:26 PM

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Several members here bought the Hickory Nut templates, so I thought I'd post a tutorial on how to make the blocks. Below is a pic of a table topper I made using the Small template set, but the same general construction methods apply if you're making the Small, Medium, or Large blocks.

I've got 26 pics to show, so bear with me while I get all the steps posted!

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:28 PM

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Here's the template set. You can see that it's a hexagon shape and the "shell" is the outer ring and the "nut" is the inner hexagon. The ring is 1" larger than the nut all the way around. So the nut is the finished size of the block. This nut is 3.5" across top to bottom, so the ring is 5.5" across top to bottom.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:29 PM

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Begin by cutting out your shell backing fabric with the ring around the outer edge.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:30 PM

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Then cut out your window fabric and batting with the nut template.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:31 PM

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Now, with your backing fabric face down, lay the shell ring template on it with the edges lined up all around.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:32 PM

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Lay the batting in the center of the ring.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:32 PM

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Lay the window fabric on top of the batting.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:33 PM

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Hold the window fabric down with one hand and lift the ring up so that the window fabric and batting remain centered.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:35 PM

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Beginning with one edge, turn it down over the window fabric and steam press it with an iron down. At this point, 1" of the backing fabric is now showing on the front side.


Eddie 10-19-2009 03:37 PM

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Working counter-clockwise (because I'm right handed), begin working around the edge, turning the backing fabric over and pressing it down. Notice that the points of the turned edge are just touching the edge of the window fabric. This is important as it helps to keep the block "square".

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:38 PM

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Continue working around and pressing the fabric down with the iron.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:39 PM

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Keep on going until you have a kite shape like this.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:41 PM

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Now, go back to the edge you started with and unfold that edge and then fold the backing fabric back onto itself by 1/2" and finger press down.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:42 PM

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Now, fold that edge over again so that you now have a 1/2" wide border on top that has a finished edge next to the window fabric (since there is 1/2" of backing fabric folded under that). Finger press this down.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:44 PM

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Working counter-clockwise, do the same double folding thing with the next edge. Pay attention to the size of the borders you're creating, as they should all look a uniform 1/2".

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:45 PM

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Continue working your way around. The fold of the edge you just finished will help hold down the previous edge you folded.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:45 PM

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Keep going....

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:46 PM

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There, we have our kit shaped block all finger pressed now.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:47 PM

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Press with a steam iron to set the folds.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:49 PM

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Now, we're going to stitch down those folds in a counter-clockwise pattern. So set the needle down into the fabric so that it is just inside the fold line and just less than 1/2" from the edge of the window fabric.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:50 PM

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Stitch along that first edge and stop with the needle down right where the two folds meet. Lift your presser foot, and pivot to sew along the second edge.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:51 PM

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Continue sewing around the edge of the folds until you get to the other side of the kite. Backstitch a couple of stitches and cut the thread.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:52 PM

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Finger press the tail of the kite over by 1/2".


Eddie 10-19-2009 03:53 PM

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Fold that tail edge over again by 1/2" and finger press down.


Eddie 10-19-2009 03:55 PM

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Position the block under the needle in the same way as you started the stitching, with the needle down just beyond the edge of the tail fold so that the first stitch catches that side edge of the tail fold.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:57 PM

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Stitch across the edge a place a stitch just across the side edge of the tail fold. Then backstitch a couple of stitches to hold in place. Cut thread and remove block.

Eddie 10-19-2009 03:58 PM

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Press with an iron and it's done! Use a zigzag stitch to stitch the blocks together and make it however big and in whatever shape you want. :D

Riversong 10-19-2009 04:29 PM

Im gnna try it tomorrow...your directions are better than the ones that come with it. It still looks hard but I think Ill figure it out. Hugs,Caroline(RIVER)

Tabby1957 10-19-2009 04:33 PM

I love this....but I can't find the templates. Did you get it online?

RedGarnet222 10-19-2009 06:41 PM

Oh my gosh eddie! I am so glad you did this detailed tutorial with pictures. The tiny sheet that comes with the set was really hard to understand. I am going to try this right away too. Mine came in the mail late today. :D Woo Hoo!!

Thanks so much for everything.

Eddie 10-19-2009 06:46 PM


Originally Posted by Tabby1957
I love this....but I can't find the templates. Did you get it online?

Hi Tabby,

The templates for this are sold by a LQS here in Arkansas called Hickory Hill Quilt and Sewing Center. They are their own design and they sell them in their shop. They're about a 1/2 hour away from me, so I went over there last week and bought some for members here who wanted one and mailed them to them. It'll probably be a while before I head over that way again, but if you want to contact them directly I feel pretty sure they would do mail order for you. Their e-mail address is [email protected] If they can't do mail order for you, then let me know and I can get you one the next time I'm over there. It may be a couple of weeks or so, though.

Tabby1957 10-19-2009 06:59 PM

thank you Eddie....I'll give them a call tomorrow.

Riversong 10-20-2009 05:14 AM

I tried one this morning. It was a disaster,but I can do it now. My problem was the pressing and burning my fingers. I think I am going to make cardboard templates to use to press them around for better creases....Yours look so nice!!

gaigai 10-20-2009 05:30 AM

Great tute Eddie. I am definitely going to have to call and get some templates!! Thank you!

zennia 10-20-2009 06:53 PM

Thanks Eddie. Pictures always help. Can't wait to try this.

watterstide 10-21-2009 02:46 PM

Thanks for the great tutorial Eddie! i think i would like to get this template set for my DIL who is new to quilting..this would be a great beginner project..she would be quilting as she went along!
i will see if they will sell me one and mail it..

sewsewquilter 10-21-2009 04:07 PM


Originally Posted by Eddie
Here's the template set. You can see that it's a hexagon shape and the "shell" is the outer ring and the "nut" is the inner hexagon. The ring is 1" larger than the nut all the way around. So the nut is the finished size of the block. This nut is 3.5" across top to bottom, so the ring is 5.5" across top to bottom.

Is this set the small, medium or large set?

Thanks Eddie for the great tutorial.

Eddie 10-21-2009 04:12 PM


Originally Posted by sewsewquilter

Originally Posted by Eddie
Here's the template set. You can see that it's a hexagon shape and the "shell" is the outer ring and the "nut" is the inner hexagon. The ring is 1" larger than the nut all the way around. So the nut is the finished size of the block. This nut is 3.5" across top to bottom, so the ring is 5.5" across top to bottom.

Is this set the small, medium or large set?

Thanks Eddie for the great tutorial.

This is the Small set that I did the demo with above, and the size is wrong in my original quote above - I should have said that it is 2.5" finished size from top to bottom, not 3.5". The Small set is 2.5" finsihed size, the Large set is 3.5" finished size, and the Extra Large set is 6.5" finished size.

sewsewquilter 10-21-2009 04:14 PM

Thanks Eddie! You're the best.

Yvonne 10-22-2009 08:21 PM

Eddie, thanks for an excellent lesson here. I've bought just a regular hexagon template today and am going to give this a try before the holidays. A few years back we had the attached post and some really cute Christmas ornaments. Take a look. You need to scroll down a bit for the pictures.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/580.page

Fun! Aren't they?

Thanks again.
Yvonne


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