that's about how many 1 inch hexagons I will need to create a king sized quilt for Nath and I. Well 5000 + 63 to be precise, according to this awesome calculator over at CD Designs:
Paper Pieces have put together this fabulous cutting guide. It's been my go to for working out the amount of yardage I'll need for my hexies, and the finished quilt... it's a lot!
I imagine that this project is going to take some time.
My official start date is 21st April 2013... that's when I started hand cutting my hexies.
PAPER PIECING...
At first I was handcutting {carefully} my hexies using this template I got from Texas Freckles:
Then I got the bright idea to use my Silhouette QuicKutz... which worked well. It took a while to create the template, but once that was done... easy peasy and was quicker than my handcutting. Only issue is that the matt board's do not last very long and given I have to cut 5000 or more, it would work out to be quite costly!
So... I ventured over to Paper Pieces... and that looks like a good option, I can get all my cards + delivery for quite a good price... not to mention the massive amount of time I'll be saving !!
However if I can gain some life with my cutting matts, I think I'll stick with making them myself using my Silhouette... it is super quick and easy. If I didn't have the Silhouette, I'd definitely go with the Paper Pieces pre cut bulk packs.
BASTING...
I also started my hexie piecing by hand stitch basting the fabric around the paper... however I was soon lead in the right direction by my lovely local quilt store, Sam is the {one of} quilting guru, and she introduced me to this little wonder, a sewline glue pen:
For a very good tutorial on how to glue baste, Fat Quarterly have one here.
I don't trim my hexies down to 1/4 seam allowance, I leave them square... partly because that's what is recommended by Paper Pieces {and I figure they know much more than me about paper piecing} and partly because I always find the last corner to be quite sparce.
So now I have my glue pen, and my go anywhere bag... I can create my little hexies at any time. Well not any, but lots.
I don't think I make it a secret that collecting the fabrics is one of the best parts of the project. On our recent trip to Adelaide, I scored lots of fabric goodness. Most specifically the Moda Charms & Liberty {sigh}... if you are ever in the Adelaide Hills, you must check out Quiltaholics, I actually got teary, the store really is THAT fabulous. And if it's your local... you lucky thing !!
As at 1st May 2013, I have 500 hexies made, that's just 4563 to go! That makes this about a 10th of the size of my finished quilt then, I guess it's gonna be pretty sizeable:
These photos will undoubtedly look nothing like the finished quilt... as there are lots more fabrics to add to the mix!
If I finish it by the end of the year, it will be A-may-ZING! I've made 500 hexies in 9 days, an average of 55 per day... so supposing I don't get bored... I should finish the other 4563 in about 82 days. Noiwse! That takes me to 22nd July 2013... then how long to hand sew all hexies together... mmm. Good question!
Other hexie quilts and techniques I'd also like to give a go this year Ehummm, I mean any time really:
- Triangles into hexies as mentioned by Peppermint Patcher.
- Hexagon log cabins, Part 1 and Part 2 over at Sewing Chick's blog.
- This quilt with large hexagons with lots of white space also really appeals to me.
- Sweet hexagon quilt here too.
- The simplicity of a 6 triangle hexagon in block fabrics... delish!
I'd like to make one for my younger sister to go with her adorable hexie mirror, so cute! And it's my other sister's 40th soon enough !
Anyways, first things first... I need to get this one finished. Wish me luck!
Love
Bxo