Stitch a Hexagon Quilt

from Create and Craft Club Magazine - Summer 2020 Issue (US)

by c_c_clubmagazine

Keep Kids Entertained

We ❤ Sewing 44 Stitch a Hexagon Quilt

Create your very own patchwork quilt with Stuart Hilliard’s simple half hexagon method

Honey to the bee quilt

Kit List

Fabric, assortment of print and solid, yellow, grey, blue 1 Download and print the Honey to the Bee template. Cut out your chosen number of half hexagons in pairs of the same fabrics. 2 Lay your half hexagons out in vertical columns, making sure that as you add the next column you ‘complete’ the hex agons in the column to the left and start new ones in the column to the right. 3 When you are happy with the layout, sew the half hexagons into long columns. Pr ess the seams open. 4 Join the columns together, matching the seam intersections carefully. 5 Once you’ve quilted your top, either bind the uneven edges or trim them straight, then bind.

Hexagon quilts are a staple of the patchwork world, and Stuart Hilliard’s bright and cheerful half hexagon method shows just how straightforward they can be. Just remember to match up pairs of half hexagons in the same fabric to create the classic honeycomb look. “My quilt is completely machine sewn and doesn’t use a single tricky Y seam – it’s easy with half hexagons!” Stuart says. Sewing machines at the ready!

Suggested Layout Stuart’s quilt uses 144 half hexagons in nine vertical columns of 16, with alternate columns starting with a single half hexagon in a different colour. The quilt measures approximately 54” x 52” (137.2cm x 132cm). To create the illusion of full hexagons, cut your shapes in pairs of the same fabrics.

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Keep organised

“I label my blocks and rows by pinning sticky notes to the fabric – then I can take a whole stack of blocks to my machine to sew them, confident that I won’t get them in a muddle!” STUART HILLARD, DESIGNER

Finishing off You will find finishing techniques in Stuart’s book Simple Shapes Stunning Quilts (Pavilion). Or go to his YouTube channel Stuart Hillard Makes, where you’ll find ‘how to’ videos for layering, quilting and binding.

We ❤ Sewing 46 House of Alistair is well-known for its lovely haberdashery, so we’ve got some simple pretty makes for you to try Simple stitch Beginner Makes

Lavender pillows

Kit List

A4 paper Pencil Ruler Paper and fabric scissors Sewing machine and thread 12cm x 24cm fabric per pillow Loose lavender or a scented filling of your choice

Fancy thin ribbon 1 Make a template using A4 paper, a pencil and ruler. Measure and mark a 12cm x 12cm square and cut out using paper scissors. Use the template to cut two squares of fabric. With right sides facing, pin the tw o squares together. Sew along all four sides of the fabric, leaving a 1cm seam allowance. Leave a 4cm gap in the middle of one of the seams in order to turn and fill the pillow. 2 Turn the square through and gently push out the corners using the blunt end of a knitting needle; be careful not to pierce the fabric. Make a small funnel with so me scrap paper and insert into the pillow through the gap in the seam. Fill the pillow with lavender until just full. Hand stitch closed using a matching thread and a hand sewing needle. 3 Make as many as you wish. Stack the pillows on top of one another and tie the pillows together (as you would a birthday gift) with some fancy ribbon.

Needle Tidy

Kit List

A5 paper Pencil Ruler Fabric: 15cm x 21cm (you will need 2 for the case) 60cm thin ribbon or cord Sewing machine and thread

Felt: 10cm x 15cm; 6cm x 10cm 1 To make the template, take a sheet of A5 paper.

Place it landscape and fold carefully in half. Crease. Open out and mark where the crease is on the short edges. These marks indicate the position of the ribbon ties. 2 Use the template to cut out two pieces of fabric.

Transfer the ribbon positions onto the fabric. Cut two 30cm lengths of thin ribbon. With right sides facing , pin the fabric together. Place and pin the lengths of ribbon. Sew around the edge leaving a 1cm seam allowance. Leave a 4cm opening along one of the longer edges to turn through. 3 Clip the corners and turn through. Gently push out the corners using the blunt end of a knitting needle. Close the opening by sewing along the pressed edge. 4 Use pinking shears to cut two pieces of felt measuring 10cm x 15cm and 6cm x 10cm. Place the felt in the middle of the tidy and pin to secur e. Sew down the middle of the felt with the tidy in landscape position. Fold the tidy in half and tie the ribbon in a bow.