Monday, August 02, 2010

Someone put a hex on me!

Last week, I went to the Long Beach Int'l Quilt Show with a friend of mine and I got hypnotized by the beauty of hexagons. Before I knew it I had purchased a hex kit along with some Halloween fabric that caught my eye. The technique uses English Paper Piecing to make the hexes by basting them onto paper. I settled on a method where the basting is only on the back of the fabric instead of through the paper to save myself from having to remove the stitches later.


So far I've made over 110 hexes and I had to order more papers. I have been stitching them while I watch TV in the evenings. Sewing the hexes together to make a flower is taking me almost an hour for each 7-hex group and the stitches are so tiny I have to put on my reading glasses!

Instead of the recommended whip stitch, I started using a running stitch for the construction as I think it gives a nicer look to the front. For durability, I am whip stitching each corner several times to secure it.

Here is a view of the back so you can see that I am using squares to baste instead of spending the extra time to cut hexagon shapes. When complete I am hoping I will have a lovely table runner as a gift for someone special!

12 comments:

Babsarella said...

This is FANTASTIC!!! I love the great fabric and cool Halloween theme. Can't wait to see the finished project!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Awesome website, I had not noticed llamatales.blogspot.com previously in my searches!
Carry on the wonderful work!

Angie Padilla said...

Just popped in to say hi and thank you for your comment on my blog. Love your photographs! The flower ones are so inspiring.

I also see you are making hexies.I am an EPP addict myself and just wanted to let you know, if you don't want to wait (and spend) on paper templates, you can print them yourself on freezer paper. I have tutorial on my website that might be interesting for you:
http://ajpadilla.com/tutorials/english-paper-piecing

Absolutely LOVE the spiderweb fabric! :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you, that was extremely valuable and interesting...I will be back again to read more on this topic.

Anonymous said...

Wow neat! This is a really great site! I am wondering if anyone else has come across something
similar in the past? Keep up the great work!

Sue McGettigan said...

Wow, these are gorgeous!! I went through a major hex phase back in the '80s, still love the pattern - you can make so many pretty things with it. Your table runner is going to be wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this link, but unfortunately it seems to be down... Does anybody have a mirror or another source? Please answer to my post if you do!

I would appreciate if a staff member here at llamatales.blogspot.com could post it.

Thanks,
Jules

Anonymous said...

Awesome site, I had not noticed llamatales.blogspot.com earlier in my searches!
Keep up the excellent work!

Crunchy Diva said...

looks awesome! i'm actually going to start making hexes tonight. i'm going to use fabric scraps. i'll be checking back to see how yours are coming along.

trendyswaag said...

Please go on shishkabobsandllamas.blogspot.com read the stories of Shishy and Llamy! Leave comments thanks! ♥ Awesome blog to! Love the fabric!!!

worldamazingfacts said...

nice basket with pocket & card .....