hexagon prep

I mentioned that I sew my hexagons on the back of the patch with a back stitch and today I have been asked how I do this. I don't know where this originated from but I learned it from watching a video on quilterstv.com by Pati Shambaugh. Pati uses plastic templates which are her unique design and you can buy them from her. I use good old paper of a good thickness. I drew out a sheet of hexagons on graph paper and had a whole load photocopied so that anytime I want to do hexagons I have ready prepared papers. Just have to cut them out.

I always add a straight grain line to the papers as I find it helps to keep them all in the same direction when piecing them together. I also pin on that line in the centre.



Now fold over the top edge above that line and finger press a crease. Fold over the next corner and make a mitre, use your thumb to hold it in place. Put a knot in the end of your thread and make a stitch through the layers of that corner. You are only going through the fabrics on the top of the paper and not through the paper itsself and the other side which is the traditional way.



Take a back stitch at the corner to secure it in place.



Go to the next corner and turn the edge over and finger press the crease and mitre the corner again. This time you are just going to make that stitch in the corner. You will have a long stitch over that seam.



Again take a back stitch through the layers at the corner.



Repeat until you have secured all the edges. You can go back to the very first edge and do another back stitch but I don't think it is necessary, but I am always prepared to revise any ideas. The stitches keep the paper quite secure. Remove the pin. You can also remove the pin at the last edge if you think the template has shifted a little, it prevents it from bunching up.



On the right side you will have no tacking threads but a perfectly prepared hexagon.



I would keep the paper template in place until it is stitched and surrounded by other hexagons. The paper is easily removed.



Preparation is very quick this way. It is not the only way to stitch a hexagon and I would say try them all until you find the one that suits you best. Hope this helps.

Happy stitching.

Love Shirley.