Hexagon Tutorial

Several of you asked for a “how to” for the hexagons I’ve been making. After several attempts at photography – it’s quite difficult to photograph your own sewing whilst sewing, and get the focus right on a needle!! – here ’tis. Please excuse some of the poor pics – I gave up after 4 attempts!!

This is not the only way to stitch hexies, it’s just my way.

I did glue some hexies, but found the sewing of them just as quick and easier to stitch together. I cut 2 1/2″ squares and used 1″ hexies

Fold in two sides and finger press

Thread a needle and knot the end. Take a stitch at the fold, just through the fabric – don’t go through the hexie paper – then a second one

Continue to fold and double stitch to hold the folds….

…all the way around

And there’s a completed hexie

Now to stitch them together!

Lay out the hexagons

Choose which two to start (the middle hexagon and hexagon 2) and fold them right sides together

Thread a needle and knot the end. Bring the needle up through the seam allowance (not the paper) and bring out at the corner

Take a stitch at the corner, through both fabrics (not through the paper), and repeat (pretend these are the same fabrics as before – dodgy pics!!), gently pulling the thread firm.

Take another stitch a little away, again gently pulling the thread firm – this was my revelation: they don’t need to be right next to each other!!

Continue along the seam…

…to the end

Double stitch at the corner again, placing the needle through the second stitch loop to secure

Then take the needle into the seam allowance (not through the paper) and snip off

First seam done!

And from the right side

Pick up the next piece in the sequence (hexagon 3) and again, place right sides together with hexagon 2

Stitch the seam as previously, double stitching at the corner

Swing hexagon 3 around to make the next seam with hexagon 1 (middle hexagon) folding hexagon 2 to make it easier to stitch

Double stitch in the corner, then continue as before stitching to the end and finishing off

Continue around until complete

Add joiners in the same manner

Once a hexagon is totally surrounded by other hexagons, the papers can be taken out. Again, I found it easier to get the stitched hexie papers out than the glued ones. The papers aren’t sewn through at any stage.

And it’s easy then to re-use the papers!

Enjoy your hexie creations!!

Meredithe x