Today we are cutting hexagons from strips to make the hexagon block for our sampler quilt. This tutorial is a follow-up to the Large Hexagon tutorial. The principles are the same; the sizes are different.
Supplies
- fabric
- rotary cutter
- rotary mat (optional: rotating mat)
- small ruler (I like the Creative Grids 4.5 x 8.5 inch)
- Clearview Triangle ruler – this is a 60 degree ruler with the tip, which is what you need.
- True Grip dots or similar (to keep the above ruler from sliding)
- Jinny Beyer Perfect Piecer
- Pigma pen or similar
- Post-it notes or painter’s tape
- hexagon pattern
Cut your strip the unfinished size of your hexagon. In the example, I cut mine 2 3/8 inches. This is 1/8″ larger than I need, but I have a little wiggle room in this block. If you don’t have wiggle room, cut the strip the size of the unfinished hexagon
Fold your strip in half lengthwise
Position the strip so the fold is closest to you.
Line up your Clearview ruler with the tip on the raw edge
Place a post-it note on the ruler. Line up a post-it note with the fold of the strip
Move ruler up until the post-it note is lined up with the raw edge of the strip. N.B. I rotated the post it note, because I couldn’t cut with the edges hanging over.
N.B.2- Be very careful if you cut towards you on the left side. It is never a good idea to cut towards you, so I recommend getting a rotating mat. Place your strip on the rotating mat, make your first cut the rotate the mat and make your second cut.
Cut on both sides of the ruler
Your hexagon should be perfect. N.B. As I said above, I have a little wiggle room with this patch, so I cut it slightly larger, which is why the template looks a little smaller.
Move the ruler along the strip and cut the next one
Note: you will not be able to cut every single bit of fabric. You will have small triangles leftover from in between the hexagons. You can use these leftover scraps to stuff pet beds.
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How clever! Sure beats cutting by hand around paper.
I forget, right at this moment, who taught me this trick, but it is useful.
Fascinating! I never saw this before. But then, I’ve never been tempted to play with heroes. Carry on.
It’s good to know how to do it just in case you need a hexagon!