Ok...So I'm gonna start this quilt. Did alot of reading online and got some mix messages, such as the first 2 sites all recommended card stock for the middle....the next said card stock doesn't work. Guess its a preference thing. Have you made this quilt and do you have any advice? I'm doing it all by hand so that I can take it to my daughters to work on. I needed something that would travel well without the need for a machine.
~Bj~

I cant get on with paper - I tried a few times - I prefer a card and so I use index cards. I have used the backs of greetings cards too - that worked Ok - but is a bit tougher on the fingers!

A word though - I reuse my cards - I know some people like all new for every hexagon. once I have sorounded a hexagon on all sides I take out the middle one (if that makes sense?)

I think this is 'the worng way' to do it -but I have made several quilts using this method and have not found them 'mishaped' at all!

You will love this work - it fits in well with travel!

I use the quilt patis (plastic templates)

here is the link

http://quiltpati.tripod.com/index.html

I did hexagons and went ahead and bought the middles. I read too many places where if you cut them yourself they might not always be exact and then they whole thing goes wonky. This is where I bought mine http://www.paperpieces.com/index1.html but also have seen them in my LQS. I really enjoyed doing it, but I like hand work. Hope you enjoy it too.

here is another link

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

I finished this quilt a while back and I used templet plastic for the octogons. Made enough templets to make two whole flowers, and punched a little whole in the center so they could be removed. Once I made the flower, I removed all of the templets, except the outer ring. If you leave the plastic in the outer ring, it makes if so easy to attach the next flower piece. The hardest part of this pattern is cutting out the templets.
Good Luck, Pam

pdf to print out to make your hexagons

http://www.sharonschamber.com/free%2...owergarden.pdf

cute link with photos and information

http://www.alanasquilts.com/document...er_garden.html

video to watch how to cut your templates from food boxes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB2krboL-FU

this is the link to show you a tutorial on grandmothers flower garden with those plastic templates

http://www.hesowsshesews.com/2009/10...-tutorial.html

Wow Thanks ladies! I'm gonna check out all the sites and then just go for it! Loved the advice! I made a plastic template of the whole hexagon...used that to draw on freezer paper and then use the freezer paper to cut out the material. A lady told me that that way all hers came out the same size....so I wanted to check out other ways too! I bought card stock for the middle of the hexagon, but not sure if I'll be happy with that...so anyway....Thanks for all the advice!
~Bj~

cut and paste this to see hexagons already cut - I have bought from this lady and she is very good. I used her already-cut-out hexagon paper for my avitar table runner.
Good luck,

http://cgi.ebay.com/500-Die-Cut-Hexa...item20b08cccf0

depends on whether you are doing English Paper Piecing or the old fashioned way the grandmothers did - cut the hexagons, mark the sewing lines and hand stitch. Paper templates is not the only way.

I use the wrapping paper of photocopier paper ie A4 size x 500 sheets. You can iron on the shiny side and reuse it many times. Tip. Do not use the glue part as it will stick to your iron.

If you ask 30 different people for advise, you will get 30 different answers, and they would all be correct. I will tell you how I do it. I am working on my 2nd GFG as we speak. I do english paper piecing, 1 inch hex's. I print them from a site on the internet. I cut them out myself. I'm sure the precut would be wonderful, but I'm cheap! I use scrap paper from junk mail a lot. That seems to be pretty good paper. Print on the back sides. I guess in the "olden" days, they even used letters, newspapers, catalog pages etc. I would be afraid of newsprint. I believe I have cut probably at least 5000 hex's in the past couple years!!! (maybe more. I didn't count!) The papers need to be accurate. I don't worry to much about the fabric being cut that accurately. I cut 2 1-2 inch strips then into squares. Pin the papers to the fab. and clip the corners. I fold the allowence over and catch at the corners, and also take one stitch on each stright side. Seems to stableize the fab. Whip stitch the hex's together. I remove the papers after I have completely sorounded the middle hex. I use the papers over when I can. Sometimes they will tear a bit when removes, so don't use them of course. I believe there is a site that gives very good instructions. sunshinecreations.com or something like that. I'll see if I can find it and post. Good luck with your GFG. Be warned, it is addicting!!! Have fun. http://sunshinescreations.vintagethr...r-piecing.html This is the right sight. I do mine just like hers, only add the one stitch on each stright side. That is easly removed by cliping the stitch from the front. I leave all the threads.

I bought a heavy duty lucite template with a little pattern, traced my sewing lines, cut out with 1/4 allowance and sewed them together that way.
I guess that might be the old fashioned way...:)

I guess I will add my own two cents. lol

I print all my (3/4inch) hexagons on 24lb "heavy weight" printer paper. It is a little thicker than normal printing paper but not as thick as card stock. I then cut them out with an X-acto knife. Then I punch a hole in the center and use an Elmers glue stick to glue it to the center of a 2" square of fabric, for some reason I can't use pins to hold the paper in place while I am basting them. I make a BUNCH of these up at one time stick them in a zip lock bag with a pair of snipps, thread and needles. Then I am ready to go and its fast to grab as I am heading out the door or whatever!

I put the hole in the center so it is easier to pull the paper out once you are done sewing everything together. All you have to do is stick a toothpick in the whole and flip it out of there!

Good luck with whatever way you decide to do it.

I have also just started a Grandmother's Garden Quilt. I am using 1" hexagons. Couldn't get the templates, but I do have EQ5 so I printed my own, and will continue to do that.

I also printed the hexagon with the seam allowance (I used a touch more than a quarter inch), and made a master template using plastic so I could fussy cut easily.
When I cut I run the pencil around the inside of the template as well, which gives me the position of the hexagon when I place it on the fabric.

I used index dividers, which will go through my printer; then marked the middle of the each hexagon and punched a hole in the middle of each hex.

My concern also was that the hexagons would get rough round the edges and become inaccurate if I re-used them. I have so far made six "flowers". Some of the hexs have been used at least twice with no problem so far. When they start to get a bit tatty I will simply get rid of them and print some more.

I also have left the outside ring (the background in my case) in, so I lose 19 with each flower.

So far so good. Hope this helps.

This how I'm doing it, the centers come out to be reused, the only paper (cardboard) left in is the outside row, however rows you chose to do.

I have done this one in queen size by hand, and used copy paper......no problem doing it this way.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-32542-1.htm

I got my hexagons from paper piecing and reuse them :thumbup: It is addicting :wink:

I pieced mine the old fashioned way--traced around the template, cut them and marked the 1/4 in dot on each corner and hand sewed them. English Paper Piecing would never work for me--I would never feel like they would stay together good enough for using on a bed. Either way, it's a beautiful old fashioned pattern!

I have a 2" hexagon GFG in progress. I use freezer paper & Kaye Wood's 60 degree ruler to cut the freezer paper & strips of fabric. Here is a link to a pdf file explaing her method: http://www.kayewood.com/tips/hexagons.pdf

I pin the fabric onto the freezer paper instead of thread basting it and I remove the pins and papers when they get surrounded by others. The freezer paper does get floppy after a while but it's good for 5 or 6 rounds at least.

This is the same way I'm doing mine. It seems to work best for me. I love the fact that it's portable.

LOL! tacking over paper and whip stitching IS the old fashioned way in England!! Hee hee


I like the post that says - ask 30 people and you get 30 answers!!!

And we are all right!

Very true, I think you just have to try different methods until you find one that suits you. :-)

i print my hexagons directly onto the back of my fabrics and then cut them out. they can either be fussy cut with scissors or with a rotary cutter and ruler.

because my prints include the stitching lines and clipping marks, i can use them for both hand and machine piecing.

I am intrigued??? How do you print - what with?? Curious!

Hi Bj,

Don't laugh, but I have had a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt in the making for nearly 7 years. Please do not let that discourage you. I only work on it on occasion (especially at doctor apts.). I am not too far from completing the quilt part--then comes the border. I will try to send a picture for a border idea. I am using the 1930 reproduction fabric. That is great to use since you can just keep buying it and will never run out of that type of fabric.

For cutting (very quick and easy), I use the ARDCO HXW-1 "Hexagon" template. This makes the one-inch finished hexagon. There are many different sizes (I have them all). The company is located in Poquoson, VA. Their address and phone number is: QUILTSMITH, LTD., 252 Cedar Road, Poquoson, VA 23662. (757) 868-8073.

The templates are metal so you can very easily cut with a rotary cutter. They have a skid back so they stay in place on your fabric when using your rotary cutter. I just cut a long strip of fabric and then, with the smaller rotary cutter, just cut around the template. It works great. I am not sure I can describe the template but the center is open. The template is 1/4" in the shape of a hexagon. You use the outside size of the template for your fabric and the inside size to trace on freezer paper.

Most of my flowers were done using freezer paper, since it was easy just to trace the "inside" of the template for the exact finished size. I use a mini-iron to iron the seems over the freezer paper.

I also purchased some paper pieces from the paper piecing company. I like to use them for the white hexagons since sometimes the freezer paper can come "unglued" if you handle it a lot. Freezer paper is great for the centers, and solid and print rows.

Sorry I have taken up so much space, but if you want to PM me your phone number, Bj, please do so and I can call and talk you through it. I do believe the freezer paper is a faster method than the card stock and having to baste. Sue

Thw window you use to cut the freezer paper -is also useful for viewing the fabric - for example - you want a particular flower in the centre of your hexagon...

I hand cut - the old fashioned way - with scissors!! All my fabric hexagons (and card - for that matter!!) I dont like the waste if I cut a strip first!!

Seven years - is Ok - my last completed one took me 15!!! Including quilting!!

Wow, I also have one I have been working on foever, prbaly at least 5 years. I work on it for a while like crazy, then go off to another project for a bit, LOL!
Good luck, they sure turn out beautiful!

Bj I have made many flower garden quilts. Im the flowergarden queen. If you have time I order card stock pieces that are cut into the size of hexagon you need from Paper Pieces, P.O. Box 68 Sycamore, Il 60178. phone # 800 337-1537. web address is www.paperpieces.com. This is a perfect project for travel and kids sporting events. rosefrench ps have fun with your project

I love paperpieces.com - They are terrific

I cut my hexs. and hand piece, I dont like the English paper piecing method. Each to his own. lol. the first time I made this pattern, my DGD was only crawling and she would look at the pieces, then as the guilt and she grew ,it was a touch and smile,then the laying down on it, That was l9 years ago and many washing. She is getting married in June and the quilt was the first thing she packed to move to her new home. Jolo

The container store has a great box for paper piecing it is small with compartments for the stuff and is double sided so you can put your finished shapes in the bottom compartment. Great for paper piecing and only about $3.

I wanted a take along project and also thought of the GFG. I found this link to Brandy's. You buy mylar pieces (available in many shapes), they have a hole in the center and you get a little pop stick. You put a running stitch around the edges, pull up and on the the next, when you sew a couple together, then you can pop out the middle ones and reuse them for more hexagons. These can be a little expensive to get started, but you can use them over and over. So far have made a table topper. Love these!
http://www.brandysquiltpatterns.com/mylarpcs.html
On the other hand, am also working on a tumbling blocks hanging with the regular paper pieces that I got from paperpieces.com where I also got the pattern. I like that too, but know that I will not be able to use them again, and it is harder on the fingers.

Good luck, and remember we like pics!

Paper!!! well in my Guild I learned about using those pesky little cards that fall out of magazines ...you know the ones to subscribe to the magazine?? it seems that I always have pulled them out and have throne them away... I have found myself pulling them out and saving them in a big envelope and also when I am sitting in a Dr office waiting I have gone through all the magazines... these are the perfect weight!!!

I made one all by hand. I now have it on my bed as a bedspread. I used a template but have recently found a better way of making the little pieces. Find the size template that you want I believe I used a 3" template that would finish at 2 1/2. Now I would mark a piece of copy paper with a row of the template then copy several and keep a master as you will need it later. After coping staple several sheets behind it and cut them out. Remove staple and apply to fabric with long pin then fold around and baste. These you don't have to take out until you are completely done and they don't loose there shape.