Popularity of hexagon quilts
 

Sure seems like hexagon quilts are really popular again. I have many friends making hexagons...most with the English piecing using paper, and another friend just piecing with no paper. I so far have not started making them myself, but am so tempted.
Just wondering which method you prefer...and why?

Thanks for your input!

i love english paper piecing! i enjoy the process- love the precision from basting fabrics around the papers-then joining into blocks- it is a great portable project i can put together a little tin with every thing i need to create multiple blocks when ever i just want something to do- traveling, waiting, watching tv. one of my all time favorite hand projects.

When I did mine I used a template to cut them out then I used my 1/4 inch ruler to draw the sewing line on and hand sewed them together, I did flower by flower. Then put them together when I did the path. I have not done the epp because I was concerned about getting my needle thru the paper as one instructor showed me getting difficult over time. And the other process of basting it all, then sewing them together was a consideration, but I found it easier to just draw the sewing line and sew it once.

I am using "quilt patis" to make an "I Spy" tumbling block quilt. Once I have enough for a complete row then I sew the blocks together I just pop the "patis" out and use them over and over again because they are made from a thin plastic. (www.steigerfamily.com/quilting/pati.htm)

I do like the portability of it all. It is easy to throw together and take along to where ever you go.

I hand pieced mine, as I don't enjoy doing paper piecing. It was easy. Hardest part was cutting the hexagons; these days I would probably use the Accuquilt Go! It wasn't that hard, though. First I cut fabric strips, then I used a metal template from Ardco to cut the hexagons. I had a template with the center cut out. At first I drew the sewing lines on each hexagon, using the template. Later I just put dots in each corner. Later I just "eyeballed" the 1/4-inch line, and everything turned out fine without any marking at all.

Jinny Beyer just "eyeballs" her 1/4-inch seams. If you get a chance to watch one of her DVDs or a video demo by her, you can get all her tips for fast hand piecing. (Jinny Beyer is amazingly fast at hand piecing!) That's how I finally worked up the courage to eliminate marking the sewing lines on my pieces.

I just bought the Hickory Nut templates. They are really neat, adn there is a great tutorial on how to use them on this site..just search it..,.was done by a guy named Eddie. They make really great hexagons!

Sewing with Nancy and Fons and Porter both had segments on making hexagon quilts using 1/2 hexagon templates. Just cut "halves" (with a 1/4 seam allowance added) and piece them together on the machine - easy - peasy! I bought F & P hexagon templates with the 1/4 seam allowance printed on it. Have not used it yet though.

Missouri Star Quilt company has half hexy templates in 2 sizes. One uses jelly rolls (or 2 1/2" strips) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7c1ewoQV24

The other one uses layer cakes (or 10" squares) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC6Vr2k5yrM

I have both templates but havent' used them yet!!

I've been using the 1/2 hex pattern template. I've got a set of 3",4",5" & 6". Then I obtained a 10" template. I've made 6 tops & completed a frindship braid quilt for my sister-in-law. I'm not sure on how to post pictures here, but I got to tell you by using these different sizes I have found I waste less fabric. It's a great, fast way to use some of my stash. However with all this bias sewing, be careful not to stretch the strips, but I do use starch when pressing now. It was a learning lession.

2 more Missouri Star Quilt company videos using the half hex templates.

Christmas Table Runner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27r6eGwDzXA&list=UUWnhR7raxVFDHmDXqCIzuAw& index=21&feature=plpp_video

Friendship braid
http://thecraftschannel.com/item/vid...Half-Hex-Ruler