hexagon piecing question
 

I haven't made one of these before but want to. However, I guess I'm just dense...but even after looking at info and pics showing how to make these, I still don't understand. My question:

When you are making your hexagon...I understand that you put the hex in the middle of the material and fold over one edge and begin to baste. When you baste, are you taking your stitch through the material and the paper??? It looks like you do. But a book I have and a website I saw says to make your template out of cardstock so you can reuse the template. How in the world do you do that when you're stitching through it???

I'm just not getting it. Hoping someone can tell me what to do. Also...if the cardstock is stitched into the hex, won't it me nigh impossible to remove?

Any help appreciated,
Dray

oops..should have read" take your template out of the hexagon when you're finished so you can reuse the template." Sorry...the phone was ringing when I was typing that ...LOL

I don't think you baste through the paper, although I guess you could but getting the paper out from under the fold would be tough. I have mylar templates that I can finger press the folds over or baste around the template. Hope this helps.

Yes ... you figured it out ... you only baste the fabric and not into the papers.
However, I have seen some websites that say you go thru the paper.

I just do some tacks in each of the hexie corners.

That being said, for bigger hexies, I find it's much easier to work with them if I do a few long stitches into the paper/cardstock. I find it helps stabilize it and makes it easier to do the corner tacks. When time comes to remove it I just snip those centre stitches and the hexies come out easy enough..

Instead of card stock I use freezer paper. I cut a strip a bit wider than hex, now this is hex without seam allowance included, then fan fold it, draw on hex from a card stock or cereal box pattern piece, staple in middle of that hex, cut out, cut strip of fabric at least 3/4"wider than hex( allows for turn under..... Then iron those freezer paper hexes spacing across fab. I cut out with scissors giving myself the seam allowance now.......then I take these to sewing machine, set stitch at baste and run a baste stitch around the hex, folding over as I go, then at end of one I do not cut threads, just pull out some and do the next, etc. amazing how quickly you can machine baste those little babies......then when you need cut them apart and whip stitch together.......

I could never make the paper piecing work for me, so I'm working on one using Inklingo. It is so much easier for me.

www.inklingo.com

I sew mine by machine also. Much easier.

When I did a tumbling block quilt, I used file folders to make my templates. Did baste the fabric through those templates and then sewed. Unsewed the basting stitches and removed the templates. Still have all those in a giant ziplock to re-use at some point. I think the file folder stock is a bit thinner than most 'card stock' paper but not sure.

Check out beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com She has a great tutorial on English Paper Piecing. As said above, check out www.inklingo.com With inklingo you print directly onto the wrong side of your fabric using your printer. You rotary cut the pieces out and the hand piece following the stitching lines.

Bonnie Hunter has a clearly-written tutorial with lots of photos here http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2010/...-tutorial.html (If this link doesn't work, go to http://quiltville.blogspot.com/ and at the top of the page select "Tips and Techniques"...on that page it's the Hexagon Tutorial)

Hope this helps. Good luck!

So, Do you get it now! I like to do hexies. Very relaxing.
peace

I am working on a GFG by hand using the hexies from Paper Pieces. They are made from card stock and I baste right through them, sew the hexies together then snip the basting and pull out the paper to be used over and over. Easy and relaxing but not a quick project.

This is how I baste mine....the green thread is the basting!! I just do a couple of stitches in each corner fold!

You have received some very good suggestions. I'd like to recommend using a ladder stitch instead of a whip stitch to sew your hexies together. A ladder stitch will ensure your stitches are not visible on the right side of the project.

http://www.plushiepatterns.com/wp-co...R-STITCH-1.jpg

Peckish....thanks for that great tip about the ladder stitch...beginning another project and will certainly join your way....

Glue basting is soooo much easier and faster than thread basting. I use a Sewline glue stick and after it dries for a while the papers just pop out. No thread.

I do similiar to mike's girl. But I press over the template pull out template and glue, press. Don't use too much glue and keep to the edge not the fold.
You can finger press just as easy. I don't use starch as it makes sewing though on seam difficult.

No you don't baste through the card stock. That would be hard to stitch through.

That is English paper piecing. It is labor intensive hand work. No, you barely catch the fabric and miss the cardstock. I have made 4 hexagon block quilts. One was 3" hexes, one 4". Because of the size, I was able to machine sew them. I did mark the corner points for accuracy. My other 2 were using the "half hexagon" method. I drew out my plan and sewed columns, then sewed the columns together. That method is very fast and easy. I taught it at a guild retreat and everyone came out with attractive quilts.

Inklingo
 

Don't sew another stitch until you check out Inklingo. It will change your life. I have no connections except satisfaction with the amazing product.

So many answers, but to answer the origional question. Yes you stitch thru the paper or card stock and then later take the template out to use again. Most will do about three rows and begin to take the template out to make the the work easier.