hexies -running stitch vs whip stitching them together
 

Is there any reason why one can't just trace around a hexagon shape and running stitch piece them together

instead of

putting them around a paper and whip stitching them together?

Try it and you'll see why:>

I have done it both ways. My first GFG quilt was running stitch and it was fine. I had to draw the 1/4 inch seam on the fabric so I would sew a straight line. ( I did 2 inch hexagons.) I am now doing the paper piecing with 1 inch pieces and it goes much faster - not easier, just faster. I have been doing an "I Spy" tumbling block using the plastic pieces. You can use the stick school glue with the paper to baste them, I have not tried it with the plastic, not sure it would work. (I am very new to the glue basting - wow! what a difference in time that makes.)

It is all a matter of choice - but I should add, that with the paper piecing you don't have the stretching that can happen without the paper. On the other hand, when you start with the whip stitches you can see them on the top. I don't think that is a big deal because they seem to disappear once the quilt it washed.

that's so good to know because the showing stitches would make me unhappy :)

I tried whip stitch first. Discovered I am terrible at it -- slow, uneven stitches, and the stitches show (a lot!). Switched to running stitch and that works ***much*** better for me. I learned how to do a running stitch by watching a Jinny Beyer video; she must be the queen of running stitch because she does all her quilts that way. I am nowhere near as fast as she is, but running stitch is easier and faster for me than whip stitch.

There was a recent thread on this topic that you may be able to find with a search on making a hexie quilt.

I tried whip stitch first. Discovered I am terrible at it -- slow, uneven stitches, and the stitches show (a lot!). Switched to running stitch and that works ***much*** better for me. I learned how to do a running stitch by watching a Jinny Beyer video; she must be the queen of running stitch because she does all her quilts that way. I am nowhere near as fast as she is, but running stitch is easier and faster for me than whip stitch.

There was a recent thread on this topic that you may be able to find with a search on making a hexie quilt.

I have to say that I found no reason to use papers or whip stitch when making hexie quilts than for any other shape or pattern, except for personal preference as to technique.

I stitched mine by hand. I made dots at each corner where the seams should start and stop and was able to sew my 1/4 inch seams by hand. I much prefer them stitched that way. It's really not hard to do, it just takes a little time.

A fellow quilter just got hers back from the longarmer and she did running stitches. Looked really nice and there were NO threads showing from a whipping process. That was her preference and it went well.

I do the EPP using papers and whip stitch. I'm doing it to say I did a traditional EPP from scratch! However, I was unhappy initially with my stitches showing on the right side. Reading some blogs I figured out that using a thinner needle (I now use a 11 milliners needle) and bottom line poly thread that my stitches hardly show at all and once it is laundered they will not show at all. However, sewing hexies without the traditional papers may be easier for some. Everyone has their own preferences. I may do one in the future using Inklingo when I finish this one. The project journey should be pleasurable!!!