I know, I know, don't I have enough swaps going? Apparently not! <img src="http://boards.hgtv.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smile" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::)--><BR><BR>Below are the sizes for the finished hexagons. Hexagons are measured by the length of their sides, i.e. 1" hexagon are those with 1" sides. Each would need to be cut 1/4" larger around each side and basted evenly around the paper. <BR><BR>These would be basted using the English paper piecing method. While some of us do this either by sewing through the paper and without, this will be for without sewing through the papers. All papers will be left in the hexagon. Post if you are or not interested in adding batiks to this swap.<BR><BR>Looking for a due date of early spring. This is a great carry project for appointments, sporting events and just watching the TV.<BR><BR>Let me know what you think!Which would you be interested in swapping?<BR><BR>Would start with a Stashbuster theme for the first swap, but willing to discuss colors/themes for future swaps. <BR><BR>Guidelines for fabrics would be the same as my other swaps, except you can use washed or unwashed fabric.<BR><BR>Let's hear from you!3/4" finished1" finished1 1/2" finished2" finishedLarger?

It will not let me pick 2. Would also be interested in the 2 inch.

Got ya, Owie.

the EPP papers i buy at Fabric Depot are from Paper Pieces and cay 1 1/4" hexagon.. i think they have one size smaller and one size larger..

this sounds interesting.. but i wont be able to join because of the postage..

have fun everyone..

Interesting! I just started a hexie quilt, Bonnie Hunter gave me the bug with her blog, lol! I vote for 2" as well. Will there be color themes?

Well, I was thinking of starting with a stashbusters first, but if enough of us decide to go with a color theme, I'm game! What are your thoughts?

stashbusters first, please

I put down 2", but I see 1 1/2" is leading. That's fine too. I've never done them with papers. I have a tool to match the dots. At first I thought I couldn't do this one because of project/time constraints...but I see spring and I can spring for that!! Where do I find the papers???

I'm always up for scrappy, but love 30's, floral, CW and blues. You know I like just about anything.

Whooeee...had to correct my spelling errors! I love batiks but wonder about them being too stiff to hand sew with papers...bigger size for batiks I think.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nancyc20,

I have never done these before but I have always wanted to try the hexagon patterns.

This sounds doable for me with the early spring deadline.

Makes no difference really about the color. I love scrappy so stashbusters would be perfect.

I think these are beautiful in the auntie grace reproductions.

Paperpieces.com is great for all sizes and types of papers. Here is the website:

www.paperpieces.com

You can also download them is you goggle hexagons, just be sure they are the correct size and your printer scales correctly. Some people collect those inserts that come in magazines and cut out templates. Remember that we can have an ongoing swap so that we can recycle these papers.

this is the best tutorial i have seen sew far, by lori holt

http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspo...iecing-tutorial.html

While I think the tutorial for sewing the hexagons is right on, I don't want anyone to assume you remove the papers BEFORE sewing--you leave the papers in until AFTER you sew around the surrounding hexagons. Otherwise, spot on!

why do u leave the papers on? wouldn't it be a pain to remove them after stitching? is it for stability?

Raising my hand with a "dumb" question. How do you measure the size of the hexagon? I thought a hexagon 2 inches across would be a 2 inch hexagon but I see the papers I am using call them 1 inch hexagons, which is the measurement of one side. So before we start the swap I may need an idiot proof diagram!

Brandyquilter, check out the www.paperpieces.com website for for information on how to measure a hexagon.

quote:

Originally posted by mandylifeboats:
why do u leave the papers on? wouldn't it be a pain to remove them after stitching? is it for stability?

Yes, for stability. If you just baste and then remove the papers before sewing, they will stretch out and lose their shape.

HI LADIES
KC1930 CAN YOU USE FRECER PAPLER THAT IS WHAT I ALWAYS USE I WILL BE INTERETED TO PLAY WITH ALL OF YOU LADIES
HUGS ELY

Thank you! That makes sense to me now.

WOW, this is a real scarey thought--I actually learned something here. I have been wanting to do hexagons for months and did not know you leave the paper in until you sew them together. So, if that is the case what is the purpose of the plastic templates? You still have to use papers. Plastic templates seem like a waste of money to me.

I do EPP all the time and it is one of my favorite activities.

The new acrylic templates they sell are simply for cutting the fabric pieces. I just use scissors and cut approx 1/4 inch around the paper, no need to be so accurate.

A hexagon is measured by the length of one side. A one inch hexagon means the length of each side is one inch, not the actual size of the whole hexagon.

This one peaks my interest...
A friend of mine told me she did a hexie pattern a few years ago...she had a rubber stamp to mark her fabric before she cut! I have been unable to find the stamp...

I just went and googled *AGAIN* and found it!
http://www.bykate.com/index.html
It is a bit pricey...but after looking at the Go Baby cutter for hexagons....It is WAY less expensive!
Maybe I can do this...
Incidentally exactly how many hexagons would we be making to swap? I'm puzzled as to how this works...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: luvthosequilts,

You can literally set the paper piece on a piece of fabric and just take scissors and cut. There is no reason at all to be accurate, you can cut a square shape or follow the hex pattern, as long as there is fabric to pull over the paper. It is a waste of energy and time, in my humble opinion, to stress over cutting an exact piece of fabric.

Ideally, adding 1/4" around the template should be plenty. I would prefer not a lot of extra fabric left over, so if you use a small square with at least 1/4" around the template, you are golden.

I was thinking that each hexagon flower needs six outer hexies, so they would be swapped six pieces, with a basting string to hold them together. This would be one set. That would allow you to choose your center color.

Again, trying to be a true stashbuster, we could submit scale prints and depending on the amount of swappers, we can swap out one set for one set.

If this is a successful swap, perhaps we can have ongoing swaps by color or 1930's repros.

I'll leave this up for another week or so, and then we can finalize it. So, put in your vote now!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KC1930,

I agree that a 1/4 inch fabric around the paper is good, I just mean that anyone can just use scissors to cut approx and not stress over templates and such.

I am not joining the swap, just chatting with you all since I make many quilts with EPP.

If you don't mind paying a bit for the printable templates, here is a great site for lots of goodies. Bonnie Hunter mentioned this site awhile back. You can print out pages and pages of templetes. She does have some free stuff on her site. http://www.inklingo.com/shop/
HTH

When using the free hexagon print outs on the web, be sure your printer is set correctly to scale in order for it to print out correctly. I'd print out one sheet and measure the hexagon (remember hexies are not measured across the hexagon, but across each side) before a mass printing. I use card stock instead of paper for a crisp points.

For those of you who haven't basted a hexie, I will post a step-by-step tutorial for reference.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KC1930,

EPP is SO much fun and if you haven't tried it, you will get hooked on it!

I am looking for something to do while DH watches TV in the evenings. My sewing room is in the room next door but I don't always want to be in there sewing. I use to do Redwork but have at least 150 blocks to make into quilts. Thought I would stop that for awhile.

Looks like 2" is doing well on the polls...

Owie: My plastic templates have places for pencil dots at the corners to match to. The seam allowance is exact for each hexagon. It is super easy to match the dots and hand sew without papers.It's easy to line them up for no waste marking. I love my templates. I'm going to have to learn how to do papers!!!!

This work will blow you away. The book is "Garden Party-Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilts and More" by Dorothy Kinsley Wray.

You can still find this book on Amazon.

Here is the cover shot...

And here is another photo...

And notice how she fussy cuts the hexagons to make a flower garden!

Okay, one more...more fussy cutting--incredible talent and these pictures don't even do her work justice.

I don't do swaps much anymore but this one I might be interested. I love 30's repo's and
stashbusters idea.

I am not sure of what size, but will do anything.
Spring should work for me, since my 2nd grandbaby is due in Jan!

A question, will we just send the hexagon shapes in, our will we bast them first?

I have the 2 in accu-cut hexagon cutter, so I think 2 in!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sprmom,

I can't believe no one has commented on these beautiful works of art. Just think of all the planning that went into it.

I'll be putting together a tutorial for making the hexagons and a sign up sheet in a week or two. Looks like the 1 1/2" hexagons are the winners.

Ideally, what I would like to do is set up a series of swaps (not unlike my other swaps) in color themes with stashbusters thrown in. In this way, we reuse our paper centers that we remove AFTER sewing our pieces together. Remember, while you can use the plastic templates, cardboard, poster board or filing folders, YOU will be paying for the extra weight to mail them. Computer paper, magazine card inserts or freezer paper can be used, but I like a little "meat" in mine--call it a happy medium.

Using the hexagon templates on the computer, you can print them off on card stock or a similar weight paper. This is great for beginners to keep the shape.

would that 1 1/2 inches finished??

Quiltbea, has a great tutorial! She is so talented!

duh, never mind I went back and actually read 1 1/2 inches finished!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sprmom,

connecting threads has their pre-cut hexagons papers on sale for $2.80 for 125!!

I contacted JoAnn at Paperpieces and she has offered a 20% discount to our swap! More details to come!

Oh, please, please, please, can we do 1 1/2 and 2?? If you say no I will understand.

I finally found the site to print out free hexies. If you use card stock paper, it works great. You can set the size of the hexies. The site is at: http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/hexagonal/

I wanted to also say KC those quilts are amazing. Who would have "thunk" that there would be that much variety to a simple hexagonal block.

Owie, perhaps we can alternate the two sizes if enough would like to join in. Since the customers at Paperpieces will be invited to join this swap (this ties into the discount offered by JoAnn), this swap will need to be held a bit differently.

Instead of my past swaps where you sign up and have a maximum number of sets you can send in, with this swap you will have a firm number of swaps you must send in in order to play. We are still working out the kinks.

Will wait for further instructions.

will you let us know when the discount starts and if there is a coupon code for it, if we order on-line? Thanks for doing this!

Yes, I'm working on this as we speak!

thank you ma'am!

Got "Quilt and More " mag today and the front has a lovely hexagon table topper on front and inside instructions on how to do. Would post front on mag but I don"t know how...maybe
Owie will come alone and do.
Makes me think again about this swap

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SC Lady,

Somebody tell me what EPP is. I'm sure when you do I'll feel stupid.
Thanks
Mollie

Mollie, EPP is English paper piecing. sandy