Here's Debby:
The people on the bus go round and round . . . |
Round and round . . . |
Hilary (the mother of my two grandsons and my 2nd daughter) told me about the first time Miles got to ride a city bus. He was totally spellbound; star struck. Can you imagine how he will feel next year on a school bus with a bunch of little kids like him?
But, hey, this is supposed to be about quilting and fabric and patterns, right? I mean, my motto is: All quilts. Only quilts. All the time! No discussions about a bunion surgery for 8 days in a row (with graphic pictures). And discussions about the re-do of my bathroom and pictures of all the junk spilling out of the old cabinets (including unmentionable female hygiene products). I'm not making this up - there are professional quilters who go off the quilt path like that!!
ONLY QUILTS, RIGHT?
First the fabric from Benartex: Head of the Class Collection:
Head of the Class Collection by Benartex Fabrics |
What did I make with this fun group of fabrics? I pondered for several weeks about what I could create. I'm sure Benartex despaired that I would ever find something.
First, let's cut one 6-1/2" strip from most of the prints. I didn't use the cream with apples because I am using a white background fabric and it would be lost. I also fussy cut from the large scale print with the "School Rocks" words on that (more about fussy cutting later).
Using the Creative Grids 60˚ ruler and the folded 6-1/2" strip (fold side at the bottom), I cut whole hexagons - YES, I did! Formula? Half the FINISHED height of the hexagon = 3". Align the 3" horizontal ruler line with the top raw edges of the folded strip. Slice on both sides.
6-1/2" x wof strip folded to 3-1/4" x wof (fold at bottom) |
Open up the cut shape to reveal a PERFECT hexagon |
And what about the little triangles left over from cutting like this? Eight (8)
5 whole hexagons; 8 little triangles to be used in another project |
First, cut out a freezer paper hexagon the same way you did the fabric. This is your template.
Cut out freezer paper hexagon |
Next, iron it (waxy side down) over the motif you wish to use:
Iron to fabric, waxy side down. Cut it out with scissors or rotary cutter |
Peel off freezer paper and you have a perfect hexagon with "School Rocks" in the center! |
5 hexagons from each of the strips I cut |
One of my "GO TO" patterns, my Hexie Ring. Sew them into a circle, add triangles cut from a 3-1/2" strip (using the CG ruler) and add center hexagon (faced with interfacing) last, sewing with a small zigzag stitch and monofilament thread (you can see this in the Owl Be There post below).
This block is 18" high and could easily be a table topper or child's large placemat!
Sew triangles to hexies; then hexies into a ring. Add center faced hexagon last |
Sew hexagons in sets of 3, along with two triangles on each hexagon. |
18" high block |
And a simple set of hexagon rows here:
Hexagons and white triangles; trim sides or add more white |
You can see this technique at an earlier post with Benartex fabrics here: Boogie in Hen House
And an even earlier post using the Owl Be There Collection
Great hexies and thank you for sharing the ruler technique.
ReplyDeleteTook me a long time to understand I wasn't a round hole, and I wasn't a square peg. I was a hexie! Now I'm at peace with myself. ;}
ReplyDeletePS. I love these fabrics.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tutorial and for the tip!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial...the fabrics are so colorful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fabulous tips and tutorial. Your colorful fabrics are yummiest,love them all!
ReplyDeleteWonderful tutorial. Love Hexies . Also loved your bathroom re-do story. Just starting on a bathroom re-do. Hope the bunion is doing better. My husband has those on each foot as did his mom, she has had surgery.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing- TJ
I am addicted to hexies, thank you for sharing this way of cutting them.
ReplyDelete