Hexagonal Quilt

[Jill B.]

I have bought those pre made Hugs'n Kisses Fusible Paper Hexagons that are cut from fusible applique paper, you fuse to the wrong side of your fabric, cut and sew your hexies as usual, but leave the papers in your project, they will dissolve into soft fibers when washed, and can remain safely in your projects. I am asking for product sugestions/advice on ideas once you have turned the fabric over to the back how to stick down the edges ready for sewing together.

I do have some ideas myself but thought to check it out with TQS forum and see if there are any better ideas than mine.

[Norma H.]

If you use water soluble thread for basting you don't have to remove all the threads when the top is finished. No paper removing and no thread removing. That will save time.

[Rita C.]

Hi Jill, those fusible hexies certainly do take some of the pain out of hand sewing hexagons. I think you only have two alternatives - 1) glue baste all six sides down and 2) stitch baste all sides down. IMHO the glue basting would be a pain and messy unless you have a fabric glue pencil like the sewline one. But even with that it can still get very sticky and messy. I love Norma's idea of using water-soluble thread which would then just wash out. My only concern would be if it's hot and hands are sweaty would that make the thread begin to dissolve? I haven't used it here yet although I do have a cone of it so I am going to try it on my hexie quilt and see if I like it. My ones are just too small to glue baste (3/4"). What size have you gone for?

I have just thought of a third option - If you have gone for a big size then you could maybe try Gyleen Fitzgerald's machine method which she demonstrated on a show here on TQS.

I would love to see what you do, will you post a photo when you get some done?

[Norma H.]

I have been thinking of that problem, too. You'll have to test it. I find that the Superior Vanish (not the light) is rather strong and need quite a bit of water to dissolve. But I don't have time to really test it at the moment, so I hope you two do it for me :lol:

[E.M. T.]

Gosh ! My basting is all on the back...I don't remove it at all :shock: ....that bit of thread is of no consequence
that I know about !

[Jill B.]

Well I never thought of the vanish what a dill I am, I dont have any so will have to order some, Zara I live in Australia so it will take two or three weeks to get here but I will let you know how I go after testing it.

Idaho when you say your stitching is all on the back what do you mean, is it that you do a runing stitich around the edge first then put the paper on and then pull it in a gather. :? :?

I have all the TQS video's so will check out Gyleen's one so thanks for that, is it on Hexagonals or the one about her pineapple quilt, I ask this as would like to know if there is any TQS show on making a hexagonal quilt as I am not sure how to cut the fabric for the papers.

Re size wellllllll that was going to be my next question as I found on eQuilter that you can buy the pre cut ones and it says "At 2" per side, and 3 1/2" from point to point" does that mean they will turn out at 1 1/2" ?????

Thanks for all your help by the way.

[E.M. T.]

Let me see if I can explain....I know some baste thru the paper but I learned a different way
because I started with either cardstock( hard to sew thru) or plastic "quilt pattis" by Patty Shambaugh.
Yea..It was a while ago !! :lol: :lol: :roll: So...I put a template in place...whatever kind you use...
then fold one edge in and then an adjacent one folded in and I take a tack stitch, usually 2 little stitches...
Then I proceed to the next corner and repeat the tack. On bigger hexies I would travel with a running
stitch between corners but not on little ones ! Knot off or use a tailors tack or go to corner and join to next
hexie with a whip stitch. Ok... clear as Mud !?? Check out Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville.com She has a great hexie
tutorial in tips and techniques on the blog. :roll: Anyway...thread stays in but paper comes out. These days I
I use a "leave in ". Easier still.

[Rita C.]

Jill if it says 'At 2" per side' then it means that each side of the hexie is 2" so they are nice and big and you would be able to use Gyleen's technique. The technique is shown on the same show as the pineapple one.

Here is what I think Marilyn is referring to. The one on the left is how I do it and I think the way Marilyn does it is on the right with the red thread. You can see that the one on the left goes through the paper and fabric whereas the one on the right only goes through the fabric on the folds and does not go through to the front. It's just whichever way you find most comfortable to do.


I hope that helps.

[E.M. T.]

Right on the money, Rita !! Glad you had a pic !!

[Norma H.]

Jill, I just sent you an email.

Rita, there is nothing like a photo to explain . I have seen it done with thread crossing the paper from side to side. Uses a lot of thread and I guess it was difficult to take the paper out. I used to do it through the paper, but I like what you show here. The method shown to the right looks elegant

[Jill B.]

Hey ladies now I understand fully and Rita the photo is a great help, and I will check out the TQS and Bonnie blog, thanks ever so much for all of this it is so very appreciated.

I have always turned my nose up and hex's and said I would not waste my time doing somthing like those as looks all to
hard :evil: :evil: :evil: , well that will teach me wont, now that I had ignored any thing about hex's so know nothing about how to work with them and all ops: ops: ops:

Norma I have replied to your email so let me know if you didnt get it. (mailto:[email protected])

[Norma H.]

Got it. the letter will be out later today :lol:

[Judy B.]

Mickey Depre's TQS show will be on mid-July. I believe that will be on hexies. She takes hexies
to a whole new level. :shock: :shock:

[Jill B.]

Thanks Superjudy I will keep a look out for that one

[Rita C.]

After I finished working a little on my one tonight I took a photo and thought you might like to see it. It's about 48" wide so far. A bit of a way to go yet. Good luck with yours.



The picture was taken in night light so it's not so good - maybe I will take another one tomorrow.