English Paper Piecing

[Barbara K.]

I am curious how Alex Anderson cut out the hexagons in her recent segment on English Paper Piecing?

[Alex A.]

I used a test die that accuquilt is working on...I guess I kinda cheated - right? LOL My G-Ma did them all by hand - also there are papers you can purchase that are all ready cut to size. hope this helps.

[Margo C.]

Check out these templates by TQS member Pati Shambaugh: community/my-profile/quiltpati

http://quiltpati.tripod.com/id12.html

[Barbara K.]

I wondered if you used a die with the applique paper. I have the papers/cardboard cut to size but to use your paper idea you would need the die...makes sense...never cheating...only shortcuts!

[Barbara K.]

I use FP -(Freezer Paper)

[Rita C.]

I have been printing out my hexies (3/4") and cutting them out by hand. So far I think I have done about 1000! Lots more still to go. :roll: Maybe it will be worth it in the end.

[Rita C.]

Rita!
It WILL be worth it. And I find that they are such a great carry-along project. Also relaxing. Remember Lois posted a pic of hers on the grass somewhere? Beautiful!

[Renata L.]

I have been printing out my hexies (3/4") and cutting them out by hand. So far I think I have done about 1000! Lots more still to go. :roll: Maybe it will be worth it in the end.

A thousand hexies? How do you do it and maintain your sanity, Rita?

Okay, I am saying this tongue-in-cheek, but... we spend so much money on a good sewing machine, anywhere between US $3,000 and $10,000, sorry, I mean a sewing computer. Why not just buy the fabric laser cutting machine too? The cheapest one only goes for about $3,000 and requires manual feeding of the fabric. If you want one that is auto feeding and with a drift corrector to avoid fabric being fed unevenly while you walk away to sip your favorite beverage, then the price goes up to US $10,000 (the price of a Bernina 830).

Okay, Rosemary, lets see how twisted your humor could get with this one! :lol: :lol: :lol:

But, seriously, I don't own an accuquilt, but how much would the large one cost and then how quickly can you get up to $3,000 worth of dies? With the laser cutter, you could make anything you want. All I'll say is that if DH insists on buying a laser cutter for his woodshop, it better cut fabric too! :lol:

[Renata L.]

Well...... you could start doing laser surgary as a sideline.............. :wink:

[Hannelore N.]

Methinks there will be the need for a new category at quilt shows: "Laser-Assisted"!

Apropo hexagons: I made my first quilt in 2002, and only sort of knew about quilting from around 2000. Several years later, when tidying up, I came across a little table runner I had hand-sewn yeeeeeears before that, and guess what..... it's hexagons, but no wadding, and it's carefully tied with embroidery floss to hold the two layers together. I guess it was my destiny to 'discover' patchwork.



Some time ago a quilting buddy (waving to Della) challenged me to make something (about journal size) with hexagons. Here are my pieces:

[Rita C.]

Very nice hexie work Lorchen. I particularly like the more modern ones.

I posted a photo of my project on the blog but here it is anyway. I am working on individual flowers for the next step. It will take a while as there are many flowers and the hexagons are only 3/4". It is a great take along project as I can do it during all those times when I am waiting for the kids to finish school, music lessons etc. I then attach each section I have completed to the whole. I also keep changing my mind about the design - which then involves me in redrawing my pattern on hex graph paper. That takes ages too. But it is interesting seeing how it is developing. I will finish this someday.

[Hannelore N.]

Super start, Rita. That quilt should end up in a museum in Ireland when finished!

[Renata L.]

Rita, the colors and how you placed them in this hexies quilt is delicious! and the current border picks up all the colors. It is thoughtful and beautiful. Lorchen, the chartreuse background of your hexagon quilt speaks to me and really sets off the flowers nicely. Is that beading I see on the right?

[Hannelore N.]

You are eagle-eyed, Renata! Yes, that's a little beading along the verticals, and there is beading along the binding of the other little piece.

If you ever get a chance to see Jo Grooms's quilts. Her beading along the edges of wallhangings is sublime.

[Renata L.]

I will look up Jo Grooms, Lorchen, and your quilt definitely talks to me... 8) Don't ask me what it's saying or you may have to pack it up and send it to me! :lol: