Hexagon paper pieces
 

Is it just me, or does everyone who makes a hexagon flower for a GFG quilt end up with bent paper pieces? I'm only be able to reuse my pieces twice, if I'm lucky and haven't stitched through them and ruined the edges, before I have to get ride of them. Just wondering!:shock:

I use mine over and over. I sometimes iron them if they are bent.

Not sure how many times I re-use mine, but I've made them from the little cardboard ads that fall out of your magazines, so it's not a problem $$ wise. How big are the hexagons you are using?

I'm using 1-1/4" hexes. I've tried making my own paper pieces but just can't seem to get them cut as perfectly as they should be. No matter what I use, sissors, rotary cutter, exacto blade, one side is always off just a bit and they're never the same size. A bit larger here, a little smaller there. But the edges of the paper pieces I purchase seem to get "chewed up" when I sew one piece to another, and always bend when I take them out of the hexes after they're put together. So, am I doing something wrong.... or is that what happens to everyone?

I bought the Go hex die in three sizes. I cut scrap paper in to hexies. I never reuse them. If I want a size I don't have the die for, I buy them here: http://paperpieces.com/ I don't know why anyone would reuse them.

you might try the plastic Patis ones
http://www.quiltersfancy.ca/notionsPATIS.html

now I have the GO Hex, but before that I used freezer paper, cut in strips a bit larger than finished width, drew one hex from a window template, fan folded rest of strip, stapled, and cut out ....then strip cut fabric about one inch wider, ironed on those hexes, cut them out giving myself the seam allowance, then figured out a way to baste these on my sewing machine and made chains of hexes to be sewed together....went faster and was fun......maybe this winter I will do it again, only this time use the go to cut those freezer paper temps.....

I found I didn't have to baste my hexies after I used Niagara spray starch. It was so nice. Cut the job way down.

Here's the weblink to the MYLAR TEMPLATES I purchased http://www.brandysquiltpatterns.com/mylarpcs.html. I have used mine over and over and over and over - LOVE THEM!!!!! After trying so many methods this is the ONLY product I will use.

Sizes range from 1/4" to 3" - the size is the measurement of one finished edge of the hexagon. A package of ANY size template costs $15 - the number of pieces per package varies by size, but is listed on the weblinks' chart.

I found a fabulous tutorial on how to use these templates effectively. if anyone is interested, PM me with your email address and I'll forward it right away.