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Nice stacks! I have my fabric all cut out, just waiting for my pattern pieces to arrive.

To knot or not knot when basting together your hexie set of six - that is the question. Just double checking because I have seen it both ways. Thank you!

Sue, the tutorial shows a knot on the front at the start and 1 inch tail not knoted at the end, or thats how I saw it. , I could be wrong, wait for KC1930 statement. I might have done about 30 wrong.

Sue, either way is fine. Just as long as I can pick up the set to swap out is all I am worried about.

All the swappers have been send an email, so if you do not get it, please let me know. Questions? Just ask!

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

Hi all! So excited to do my first hexie swap! I'm a little nervous about getting so many done, though, because I'm a bit of a turtle---not too speedy.

I have a question for the more experienced hexie-makers: what type and size of needle do you find works best for making your hexagons? I saw straw needles on the paper pieces website, but I have found those to be a little TOO bendable when I have used them in the past for other types of stitching. I also need a needle that's not too short because that makes my hand cramp!

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Deb

I didn't realize the minimum would be so high. I need to cut out more fabric.

Headie, you will find those 35 sets fly by in no time! I already have 100 sets finished and still making more for my own use. Just set a little basket near the tv and make a five sets a day and in two weeks you would have 70 sets complete! Make two sets a day and in a month have 60 sets! They add up quickly...

I have been English paper piecing for a while now and recently learned about using a fabric glue pen to baste the hexies. Is that acceptable or do I need to stick with thread basting? For those of you who feel like the minimum is a lot, the basting really does go fast.

I know it will go by fast to put these together. I tried to get ahead of the game by having all my fabric cut and ready to go, but I didn't prepare for this many sets. Now I have to go back through my stash and decide what other fabric to use. Oh, what a problem to have! LOL

No glue, ladies!

Listen, the tutorial on the CT website and mine on the 2013 Hexagon blog are those--just guidelines. If you asked ten people how to do EPP, you would get ten answers. The main thing as far as I am concerned for this swap is quality, sharp corners and using fabrics that are to scale with the size of the hexagon. To knot at the end of the hexagon and after the basting thread when putting your sets together is up to you.

Now, pull those fabbies and have some fun! I got my order in from Paperpieces.com yesterday and made a bunch more of these at work tonight!

Hello everybody,

Happy to swap with you from France! I have already my hexies from paperpieces so tomorrow I begin. A look to my fabrics and I will cut stripes 2"5. There is no theme fabric for this swap, isn't there?

Got my patterns from paperpieces. Coccinelle glad you could join us. No theme for this swap - its stashbusting.

Coccinelle, the theme is Stashbusters, within the following guidelines:

We do, however, want to keep the prints to SCALE so that we have a nice visual when the hexagons are sewn together. A couple of rules of thumb for this swap:

*Use only 100% cotton fabric.

*NO solids, homespun, glitter, novelty print, children prints, flannels, thin or plastic-feeling fabrics.

*NO large prints, batiks, check, plaid or stripe fabrics.

*Be sure when cutting directional fabrics they do not end up looking off-bias or wonky once the hexagon flowers is put together.

*Be sure to REMOVE your selvedges BEFORE cutting your fabrics. Check fabric for flaws, such as runs or stains. Since the sets will be stacked and tacked by a thread, I will not be able to double check your work. Remember the golden rule of swapping—do not send anything in that you wouldn’t want to receive in return.

*Pictures of “naughty” and “nice” prints will be posted on the blog so that you can use that as a guide. If you have a question on a fabric, please do not hesitate to contact me or post a picture on the HGTV discussion board.

My order from Paper Pieces arrived today. I cut out 50+ sets last night and will get started on basting later tonight. So much fun so far!

I was at a quilting meeting today and just during the meeting I ended up with six complete sets done AND some knitting!

Coming along...12 sets done..only 88 more

Explain something to me....You stated "...each set will be six-1" finished hexagons of the same print with a single knotted basting stitched down the middle to hold each set together."
Is that because we will not have a middle connecting hexagon? This is my first swap and first time on message board .....so please excuse any mess ups...

Posting is a little confusing for me!!

I also have the McCalls tutorial on EPP which I am using. It shows a little difference in basting. I am use to hand quilting so my needle is small.

I got my newest Keepsakes catalog in the mail yesterday - it has a quilt kit in it made with 1" hexies....maybe it was 1 1/2" There are over 1,000 in the kit, still I dog-eared that page.

quote:

Originally posted by ssw50:
Explain something to me....You stated "...each set will be six-1" finished hexagons of the same print with a single knotted basting stitched down the middle to hold each set together."
Is that because we will not have a middle connecting hexagon? This is my first swap and first time on message board .....so please excuse any mess ups...

In the swap guidelines...

"We will be swapping 1” hexagons (Paperpieces item # HEX100). Please note that these measure 1” on each side. Each “set” will be of six of the same fabric with the papers left inside. This will allow you to make the outside edges of a flower and use your own center fabric to bring consistency to your finished project."

quote:

Originally posted by KC1930:
No glue, ladies!

Listen, the tutorial on the CT website and mine on the 2013 Hexagon blog are those--just guidelines. If you asked ten people how to do EPP, you would get ten answers. The main thing as far as I am concerned for this swap is quality, sharp corners and using fabrics that are to scale with the size of the hexagon. To knot at the end of the hexagon and after the basting thread when putting your sets together is up to you.

Now, pull those fabbies and have some fun! I got my order in from Paperpieces.com yesterday and made a bunch more of these at work tonight!

No glues or adhesives to hold the hexie paper on the fabric prior to basting. There are too many different types of glues and I with so many swappers there is the possibility of the incorrect type used and difficult removal of papers or residual glue on fabric leaving a hard spot on the hexie.

quote:

Originally posted by ssw50:
Explain something to me....You stated "...each set will be six-1" finished hexagons of the same print with a single knotted basting stitched down the middle to hold each set together."
Is that because we will not have a middle connecting hexagon? This is my first swap and first time on message board .....so please excuse any mess ups...

Check out the blog pictures. These show you with step-by-step pictures and are very helpful. You are going to stack each group of 6 hexagons and connect them through the middle. Those pictures will show you. Hope this helps!

Let me see if I understand. I watched the CC tutorial and I understand how to sew the hexies and join them together. Am I to understand we are not going to join the hexies together?? Just group them together with a basting stitch down the middle??

escuse me...it should state "CT" tutorial!!

This is such fun! Paperpieces.com is just the best and was so fast in processing my order. I wish I had ordered more. Twelve done and i really want to hit 100. Tomorrow is a 3 hour car ride and I'm hoping I can do them in the car, unless my dh, Mister Safety, objects. He is still traumatized from when I managed to sew my finger in my sewing machine.

The blog picture shows stacks.....so we are just to stack them and not sew the 6 together like the tutorial??

quote:

Originally posted by ssw50:
escuse me...it should state "CT" tutorial!!

Yep. You are just basting at least 35 sets of six hexies to swap. the person who gets your hexies will baste one hexie for the middle of each set and that person will stitch them together to make a flower.

OK, Thanks, I've got it....I was sewing the six hexies together for the person, with the middle left blank.....LOL Boy that will sure save me time!!! LOL

I am so glad......cause I have already stitches 6 together.....whew!!

Thank you...thank you....for the explains...(Y) (Y)

Thanks, ladies, for filling in the blanks.

While it takes me forever to type, I can still make hexies!

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

and a few more...

WOW, KC love your fabric selections you are amazing doing that many with an injured finger

See so many I would love to get in exchange..must press on to try and get closer to 100 sets to send in.
KC..Hope your finger is much better soon.

Royalbloomer I went through my Keepsake catalog last night and found that quilt you mentioned. I love it. I think that is what I will do with my hexies.

quote:

Originally posted by KC1930:
and a few more...

Beautiful!! I am having such fun making these little hexies. It's kinda like therapy!! : )

quote:

Originally posted by Sew&Sew:

quote:

Originally posted by KC1930:
and a few more...

Beautiful!! I am having such fun making these little hexies. It's kinda like therapy!! : )

Yes is it therapy for me....helps me tune out everything else because I have to concentrate on what I am doing. I just hope I can get 100 sets done!! :P

I'm probably working on my second hundred, lol!

I'm going for 100 sets, too. I hope we can do another swap right after this one to keep us going!

Oh....you are probably a pro at this......I'm learning. Because I was gripping my pieces so tight.....my fingers were stiff and hurt after doing 5...LOL. I have about 20 sets made and the finger are beginning to loosen up!! LOL

quote:

Royalbloomer I went through my Keepsake catalog last night and found that quilt you mentioned. I love it. I think that is what I will do with my hexies.

I don't get their catalog, went online and could not find...Can you post a picture?

quote:

Originally posted by ssw50:
Oh....you are probably a pro at this......I'm learning. Because I was gripping my pieces so tight.....my fingers were stiff and hurt after doing 5...LOL. I have about 20 sets made and the finger are beginning to loosen up!! LOL

Definitely not a pro but I really enjoy it. Sounds like you are a new addict. Yay! Relax and have fun!

I certain do plan for another swap for the same if anyone wants to plan ahead...

I can figure out some new sign-up and in-house dates if you are interested in the discount code so you can get started. You can email me at 2013hexagonswap@gmail.com if you are interested or need more information.

SC Lady - try this link - www.keepsakequilting.com/produ...-BEACH-QUILT-KIT.htm

Would love to do another swap with different fabric like maybe batiks or are you still thinking stash?

Thanks Headielamar, interesting looking. Still think I want to do Grandma's flower garden.

quote:

Originally posted by KaylaQuilts:
Would love to do another swap with different fabric like maybe batiks or are you still thinking stash?

The issue with batiks is that they usually have larger prints which wouldn't work well with our scale. If we went with batiks, it would have to be VERY specific to keep the prints SMALL for a nice look.

I agree with the issue with large prints but there are hundreds of batiks that are more about the staurated color than the prints. Here's a small quilt I did with hexagons and half hexagons using batiks for the color not the print. Just a thought