Jul
Hexy MF – check in post
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This is part of the Hexy MF quilt along series. You can jump in any time, all of the previous posts can be found here. We’d love to have you!
This week rather than a how to step I’m giving you the opportunity to ask questions and I’ll answer them in the comments, so be sure to check back.
(photo by Jeanette on flickr)
Is there anything so far that you need help understanding? Not the steps we haven’t covered yet – so far we are up to sewing your rows together (in the instructions, at least! You can be at any stage – it’s not a race!) Any of the applique or steps that we haven’t covered yet I’ll do posts on those, so if you have a general question on those -ask away, but anything specific it will be covered in the next few posts.
(photo by Rosa’s quilt and tonic on flickr)
One question I have had so far quite a few times is when can you start removing papers. As soon as a hexagon is surrounded on all sides you can take out that centre paper. So for example, the centre of the flower is surrounded on all sides and is the first paper you remove.
Another question I’ve had a few times is regarding the needles and thread breakages. I use beeswax or thread conditioner with my thread. I use Aurifil 50 wt and it is a thinner cotton thread, so it can break more easily than a poly thread or a thicker thread. Beeswax really helps, and it helps prevent the thread twisting which is most of the problem with breakages – as the thread twists it becomes weaker.
The needles I prefer are clover black gold in size 9 or 10. They don’t seem to make my hand cramp up as much, and I don’t get sweaty fingers with these. They are really sharp and run through the fabric smoothly. Plus they’re black and gold – so they look fancy (and that always helps!!!)
(photo by Bonnie on flickr)
Anything you want clarification on or help? Ask away!!!
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Bit of a newbie question. I’ve just ordered my papers and templates and now need to think about fabric. You say we need 10 half yards for the petals, is this the equivalent of 20 FQ’s?? Thanks
Claire – because of the way you cut you are actually using a few more than 20 FQs, I would suggest 22 to be safe.
I can see my stitches on the right side. Am I taking too big of a stitch?
I had the same problem, so I switched to using thread in a color that (almost) matches the petals. Now nobody can tell if my stitches are too big! I tried using grey thread, but most of my petal fabric is bright pink, so it still stuck out.
Also, I’ve noticed that the more I sew, the smaller my stitches get. My first few flowers are full of visible stitches.
Nanette – this is an excellent point! You seem to get into a rhythm as you sew, and once you’ve sewn a few bits together you do get a pretty much perfect stitch going. Or at least, I find that too. Maybe because we are all so used to machine sewing that we forget how to naturally hand stitch?
Heather – Possibly you are taking ever so slightly too big stitches, or stitching too far into seam allowances. Or, like Nanette said your thread is too contrasting.
You can see some of my stitches too – with a whipstitch they are ever so slightly visible from the front, but once your quilt is quilted those stitches are hardly visible at all.
Try switching threads to something less contrasting and taking smaller stitches.
Also – upload a pic to the flickr group or email me a pic katyejones at hotmail dot com and I’ll give you some more help x
The hexie quilt is beautiful ~ love the color choices!
Pictures are inspiring, I am still happily basting away but love arranging the soon to be flowers. Thanks for cheering us on Katy.
I have started to set fabric on the paper hexagons. I am so excited to begin sew the hexies together, but there is long time to go before that. I have cut fabric templates for about 30 hexagon flowers.
It is a good work when looking at TV
Are you going to get any more Hexy Template Sets?
there are loads more in the shop at the minute! http://www.imagingermonkey.etsy.com
I”m still making flowers… have not quite 30 flowers made!
Should a person use all the same fabric for the centre flower or can you mix it up. I have a few sewn into the flower shape and my stitches are showing in-between the petals, I am taking really small stitches, what can I do differently so they don’t show? Thank-you.
Gwen – you can mix it up as much as you like, there’s no rule or right or wrongs to how you want to have your ‘garden’ look. Check out some of the other pics in the flickr group (click on any of the photos in the post to take to there). I love the look with multiple centres. Krista – lolablueocean on flickr has a gorgeous example with multiple centre fabrics, it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Like I suggested for Heather, try a different, more matching thread, and try to take stitches that just catch the edges of your hexagons. You can email me a pic if you want more advice – or upload to the flickr group. I am really here to help, just ask!
Like how you fussy cut the butterflies. I made one in 1980 but not using the paper. Love this!
Susanne
Crazy happy-dance here – thanks for using one of my pics – and thanks for this quilt-along. I enjoy it so much
where do I get instructions on how to do this?
All of the previous posts are linked – just click on where it says ‘here’ in the first line of this post.
I am very bad at selecting fabrics that contrast or match. I have used flea market fancy for my hexagons, what colour would make a good background fabric colour? Thanks
Claire – Flea Market Fancy is one of those collections that works with all kinds of solids. For starters I’d have a search for FMF quilts on flickr and see which solid fabric you like. Bear in mind a light fabric is likely to get dirty quicker, so you might want to choose something that’s darker.
If it were my choice I’d probably choose a textured blender like sketch by timeless treasures in charcoal or black and white (both Pink Castle fabrics and Fat Quarter shop stock these)
I’m on my 9th month into my hexie project (4000 1/2″ pieces) and I’ve found that if you sew your hexies WRONG sides together with a ladder stitch, the seam is much easier to hide. I also lay them flat and sew with a whipstitch from the backside which works well too. YAY Hexies!
Hand cramps can be minimized by avoiding too much stress on the hands by taking periodic rest. *;;;’
Yours truly http://healthmedicinelab.com/pain-between-shoulder-blades/