My stitches aren't very small at all. Probably only four or five per side. The ladder stitch is kind of hard for me to bet very small pieces though. Maybe I should change the stitch. I bought the pre cut paper pieces, which I love, but the fabric does seem a little 'loose' on them no matter how well I baste it. I guess thats got to be normal since its not permanently anchored to the paper.... I remember on Fons and Porter on time they had done hexies and I cant remember their technique but it included somehow heavy starching and pressing each hexie.

I am loving this though. I find myself hoping for "waiting" time now instead of dreading it. Lol

I wonder if this youtube video showing how to sew hexies by machine would help. I see that her hexies are larger but I thought I would share this with you in case you haven't see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihEac0jRvsU

had the same issues so thanks for the post!!

I am doing my using Inkling because EPP drives me batty.

I had not seen that video before, and while it is a great video, its actually showing it on a machine vs hand piecing which is what Im doing. Thank you for taking the time to post it!!!

I love it. I see nothing wrong with it. It is so pretty.

What's Inkling?

I do not understand why anyone would go to the trouble of doing a ladder stitch when piecing GFG. I am with Jinny Beyer on this and simply piece with a running stitch (right sides together, from the wrong side). I do an extra back stitch towards the middle of the hex and at each end to secure the thread.

Maybe it's just me, but doing a ladder stitch (I assume you are doing this from the front?) would at least double, and more likely quadruple, my stitching time!

If doing a ladder stitch, I would use a thread that more closely matches the color of the patches. That way, if the thread shows, nobody notices. (Actually, I would do this when piecing also -- a darker thread for darker patches.)

Edit: Oh, I finally realized you are using paper and doing a ladder stitch instead of a whip stitch. It's so much easier to skip the paper and simply piece like any other hand-pieced pattern! If at all possible, check your library or purchase Jinny Beyer's video or DVD on hand piecing. She shows how to piece very quickly and easily. I watched her video years ago, but I think she just came out with a new book and DVD on hand piecing.

Edit: OK, checked and here is a link to her book:
http://www.amazon.com/Quiltmaking-Ha...dp/097212182X/
She has a separate DVD that is out-of-print and sells for something like $160 used, which is a real shame. However, check your library to find out if they have the older video or the DVD. It's much easier to watch her do what she explains than it would be to read a book about it!

I love the ladder stitch for some things, but not EPP, altho some people get along with it very well. When I baste the fabric to the papers, I take one basting stitch on each stright side, and of course, catching the "corners. That one basting stitch seems to stablize the fabric so it won't be so apt to loosen. I do a small overcast stitch to stitch the hex's together. I have counted, and it seems I use 10 to 12 stitchs per side on a one inch hex. The paper can be easily removed by cliping the one basting stitch from the front, turn over and pop the paper out. No need to remove the basting thread. It is pulled to the back when you pop the papers out. Also, that one basting stitch per side will keep the papers from falling out until ready to remove them. If a paper falls out, putting it back is not fun! I have been reading that some people use a glue stick to "baste" with. I have not tired that, but sounds interesting. I have been following a blog that has some nice ideas for EPP hexagons. If you're interested. This lady does some great things with hexagons. (http://www.faeriesandfibres.blogspot.ca) Good luck with your project. I'm sure you will find the "right" way that works for you. Your sample is lovely.

thanks for all your advice as I am just getting ready to sew my hexagons together for my first GFG so this thread was timely!