dray965

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

dray965

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

Luv Quilts and Cats

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.

QuiltE

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..

Geri B

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.......

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

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

yngldy

I sew mine by machine also. Much easier.

NJ Quilter

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.

threads57

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.

mem

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!