Quilt as You Go Hexagons - A Quick Tutorial

 Since this year's temperature quilt plan is Quilt as You Go Hexagons, I thought I'd share a quick tutorial.  I'm sure you can find others out there, and I don't claim to be an expert.  I have done 45 so far, though....

 The first thing you need is a way to cut out those hexagons.  I use a combination of the Hex N More Ruler and You Hexie Thing Ruler. 

You also need to decide on the sizes you want to end up with.  My inside hexagon is 4.5" hexagon marked on the Hex N More.  This is a nice size for me to cut the half hexies to do highs and lows for each day.

The background needs to be one inch bigger on each side, so that actually means two inches larger (it took me a while to actually get this)  So in my case I make a 4.5" inside hexagon and cut a 6.5" hexagon for the background.

My current stack of backgrounds for Winter.  With bonus triangles. 

You also need to cut batting to the inside hexagon size.  4.5" in my case. I am using Warm and Natural because its what I had.   You definitely do not want a thick batting.

 Background plus batting.

 Center batting and then front side hexagon.  I like to steam press at this point.  Helps keep it from shifting and flattens it a bit. 

 On each side fold up and press.  Do not fold the edge of fabric all the way to the batting, you want to leave a small gap to make the turning up easier.  Otherwise things get too bulky too quickly.

 Here each side is folded once, close to the edge of the batting/top hexagon.

 The next fold you take is going to come over the top hexagon, covering the raw edge of the top hexie and the batting.  Continue to press.

 Now you are folding one side at a time, press and pin.  I use glass head pins for things like this so you can press without worrying about melting things.

Make sure to miter those corners carefully.

 These corners aren't stellar, you can do better! (so can I)

 Now you are going to stitch around the edge on top of the hexagon through all the layers.  I just did a straight stitch, some like to use a decorative stitch. 

For joining hexagons together you can use a zigzag or a decorative stitch. 

 Here is a close up of my temperature quilt so far.  It is not perfect.  I'm sure it could be better, but I don't have grand plans for this one other than the fun of making it. 

The advantage of this method is you can just continue to grow the quilt. 

There is a lot more work and time up front, but when you are done putting the blocks together, they are done forever.

It does also take a lot of fabric.  Three yards of fabric yielded about 90 6.5" hexagons for the background. 

 Please let me know if you have any questions or I made any errors.

Quilt as You Go with Gudrun Erla

 Yay! I got away for several hours on Saturday to take a workshop with Gudrun Erla

 In the morning we made this fun little table topper.  This project has all her tricks for Quilt As You Go, so once its mastered, you can make any project in her books!

 There's something wonderful about a room full of people sewing.

 The finished product.  The fabrics are all Gudrun's.  I used Aurifil to piece and top stitch.  We used a fusible batting by Bosal.  The topper finishes about 18" square.

 My husband often teases me that I don't ever come home from workshops with finished projects, so I got to show him!

 In the afternoon we worked on the Rolling Barrels Table Runner.  I finished it Sunday at home.  The 'barrel' fabric is Red Bird in the Bower, the line is at least 5 years old.  The reason I used it is because it matches my kitchen.  I've been wanting to do some pieces that match the kitchen, and this was a great start.  My curtains are the red and yellow diamonds you see in the middle of the runner.

 I've put a split hanging sleeve in the back, because I will probably hang it, not put it on the table.  This one was also made with Aurifil in black.  Finished size: 12" x 40".  The back is also a Moda print, matches but isn't the same line.

 The runner pattern is out of this book.  There look to be some other fun patterns in here!

 I also picked up another book because there is a bag I want to make in it and a few fat quarters of Gudrun's designs.

Tonight she speaks at the guild, so I may have more to say tomorrow!