Wait... why are you using 2 layers of card stock and 4 of fabric? Don't double up on those you really don't. Try it with one layer of card stock and one piece of fabric. WAYYY eaiser... oh and I just use printer paper

why are you pushing your needle through the card stock???
only catch the folded edge of the fabrics---
it is going to be quite difficult to remove your templates if they are all stitched in.
visit paperpieces.com for some free tutorials and help sheets.

I completely solved this problem by buying stamps for the hexes from Stamps by Kate. I use brown ink on the light fabrics and white on the dark. It stamps out a sewing line and a cutting line. Presto. Just sew on the sewing line, no basting, no paper to later remove, just cut and sew.

http://sunshinescreations.vintagethr...r-piecing.html

This might be somewhat helpful.

LOL!

So it's pretty much split 50-50 on understanding your problem.
I'm in the 50% that initially got it wrong.;-)

I'm still not understanding the 4 layers of fabric - but is that just because it's folded over on itself?

I clip those corners off (snowball style) so I don't even have to deal with the excess fabric in the basting process. And I don't want it adding bulk to the quilt top either. 'Cause you can't really trim them later. Well, you could, but THAT would really be a hassle.

Your completed flower is charming. I love the B&W (Jan Mullen?) outer border.

I baste the same way you do, yes in the end it will be a little bit more work to remove all the basting stitches but for me it works better and I get a tighter baste than just working on the back! I would keep up the work your doing, however, only use one layer of card stock at a time. I have printed all my hexies on "paper" that is the same weight as business cards. I use one hexie for each fabric square! I also use a quilting needle which is thinner to baste and stitch the hexies together. If you can't or won't wear a thimble try a bandaid on the finger to help push the needle through. As far as your left hand hurting try stretching it before you start stitching. Once you do it for a while your hand should get use to being in that position. Just like any exercise, that part of your body has to get use to it! Good luck. Your flowers are going to be beautiful!

I don't think you need to baste thru the card stock. The basting should only be on the backside. (It's a good thing you aren't using the plastic hexies that are available). I used the brown freezer paper because it was a little heavier than the white freezer paper so when sewing the hexies together, there was more of an edge to sew against.

What does GFG stand for?

Grandmother's Flower Garden

You don't have to paper piece a GFG. I cut out the hexagons and simply hand-pieced the hexagons together, right sides together, eyeballed 1/4" seam. Works great, eliminates the need for basting, and (to my eye at least) looks better than whipstitching.

You could use the cardstock that you have already cut out to trace a sewing line with pencil on the hexagons (or just mark the corners and eyeball the line in-between).