Recently, I talked about my adventures with hexagons. The adventures continue and a few people are joining in, something I didn’t know, or think, would happen. There seems to be something about hexagons that intrigues people.
The above photo shows what I did to test out my hexagon theories.
The test kind of grew.
Now I have to admit that this hexagon piece is no longer a test. This will be a real quilt at some point. At this point, I am just sewing hexagons to each other as a kind of treat for myself in between other ‘must finish’ projects. The hexagon piece really helped me get through the pillows. The colors are cheerful and fun. I am trying to keep it even on all sides, but the edges keep creeping out into long lines of hexagons. I don’t know how big it will be – perhaps as big as the amount of fabric I have?
It is good to look at the piece in a photo format, because it helps me see where I need to put the next colors.
The ruler I used is a Clearview Ruler from Alicia’s Attic. They are a bit hard to find, but you can find them at the Granary. I am pretty sure that if you call them they will send you one. Why do you need this one? Because you need the tip. Any 60 degree ruler will work as long as the tip is not blunted.
I started out using my beloved Pyramid ruler from Fons & Porter and my hexagons came out kind of squashed looking. I love this ruler, but it doesn’t work for this quick cutting hexagon method. You MUST have the tip to use the quick cutting method described in the video by Kaye Wood, which is on Little Bluebell’s blog.
You can, of course, use a hexagon ruler. You don’t need to make hexagons using the quick cutting method described by Kaye Wood.
I bought the Fons & Porter hexagon ruler for the Spin Wheels project. I didn’t start out using it for the hexagon project, so I am not using it for that project. If you plan to do a scrappy hexagon, this ruler (or one like it) is the way to go. The Kaye Wood quick hexagon cutting method uses strips and if you aren’t using strips, there is no reason to use that method. I have an Easy Hexagon ruler by Sharon Hultgren, but it is too big for me and I am getting rid of it. Check Quilt Trader’s Newsletter.
I have 150 or so hexagons cut. I am sure I could figure out how big that would be, but where would be the fun in that? I just want to make sure it doesn’t get too big. 😉
That is what happened to me. I was having a lot of fun making the little hexes and before I knew it, I had too many! I even made a table runner out of them in order to keep the ginormous quilt from getting even larger!!!
Have you already given thought as to how you will finish the edges? Some folks leave the scalloped edging, some make half-hexes so there is a straight edge all around, and I am sure there are more ideas out there for edging.
IF I were to ever start another hexagon project, I would make it in the shape of a large hexagon and use it for a table cloth for my hexagon table. Really!
I used to belong to a blog and yahoo group that was all about hexagon projects. That was several years ago though. They do tend to be rather addictive! They are also so pretty and awesome when done! 🙂
I have been going back and forth about leaving the edge as is, though that idea will probably cost me a small fortune to quilt and bind. I am thinking a half hex border will be the way to go. I’ll see when I get there.
Perhaps you can make a new hexagon project for your table with larger hexagons and then it will be less fiddly? I like the idea, though.
Oh, indeed! I would make the hexagons larger if I were to do it again. I am happy with how my big quilt is turning out, but once finished, I want to go on to other challenges. I have no desire to do another one with small hexes.
I DO like hexagons enough though, that I WOULD do another hexagon project! In particular, said mentioned tablecloth for my OCTAGON table. (I was wrong in my first comment)
I have several projects going right now and do not want to add any more to the mix until I at least finish one or two. I can always PLAN for such things though! 🙂
As an aside…I have the hexagon cutting ruler and do not like it. That is just me though. Having to turn it or try to contort my body into being able to cut around all sides is not easy. Maybe I am just uncoordinated? 😀
Completely off topic… lovely hexagons aside, I think you and all your fans should visit Bliss Habits today! XOXOX
http://blisshabits.com/2011/06/who-do-you-owe-a-real-letter/