Monday 11 June 2012

Happy Hexagons



Hello Lovelies,
I'm still patchwork addicted at the moment .I'm sure it will pass but right now it's all I'm thinking about so I'm going with the flow and enjoying this burst of patchy mojo.
I'm fortunate to have a sizable fabric stash ( nothing fancy and often recycled ) so I've been able to feed this addiction without hitting the shops. Actually I love that patchwork was developed to use up scraps and recycle fabric...that really appeals to my thrifty side. It makes me happy to be able to create something pretty from old clothes, sheets and little bits of fabric.
Over the last few days I've turned my attention to hand sewn hexagons...."English paper piecing" is a term I've learnt from the internet.


I think this simple , portable form of patchwork is a bit like the sewing equivalent to granny squares. It's very relaxing choosing lots of colours and tacking them onto the paper template. Like granny squares you don't have to commit yourself to what the finished project will become just yet...I like that :0)


Ooooooh I LOVE this image . A stack of happy Hexagons, just gorgeous in my eyes.

These are 1 1/2 inch hexagons....that is each side is 1 1/2 inches long....they are actually 3 inches across at the widest part. I found my templates to download and print at home HERE...isn't that great ...I love the internet :0)
Following the advice on that site I printed mine onto thin card . I've been tacking through the card as I always did with paper many years ago ......


The card is better for getting a nice crisp hexagon but boy it's given me sore fingers , pushing the needle through fabric AND card so many times. I think I need to have a rethink and try just tacking the fabric to its self at the back only.

The other thing I was not sure of was how good I'd be at all the tiny little hand joining stitches so yesterday I downloaded some teeny 3/4 inch hexagons , cut out seven and made this to revamp my handbag ,as the crochet flowers I added last year were looking pretty shabby........



I was relieved that my hand sewing skills ( and eyesight! ) were still good enough to join the hexagons . I decided to attach this little "flower" with a running stitch and some embroidery thread rather than attempt more tiny stitches.......




This is the third makeover this of thrifted denim bag  .This version  looks a bit seventies to me , but I think retro is good :0)

I'll leave you with some happy hexagon links to insipre you .

The talented Rachel of Ruby Red has a great pinterest board HERE
Oh and do check out THIS ,THIS, and THIS
There are so many people out there who make wonderful things from little hexagon shapes , I'm both awed and inspired , hope you are too.
On  a practical note....there is also a great "HOW TO" HERE
Jacquie x

39 comments:

  1. Not sure if I want to click on the links Jacquie.......worried I might catch the bug and that'll be the end of my corcheting days, hehe!!
    Love, love, love your little pile of hexie's, looks so cheerful, just waiting to be stitched together. Sounds like you're really enjoying this....

    Love the hexie flower on your bag too......... looks like you had some sunshine over the weekend,

    Claire X

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  2. Hi, love your hexagons patchwork is addictive its like crochet ;-) When i did my hexagon quilt i used just brown paper parcel wrap for the indsides its easier to work with and still gives a strong shape. I use it for all my patchwork now. dee x

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  3. Hello...I'm so excited about your post today. I have a very busy schedule and am always looking for small projects I can complete quickly. I think I will give your hexagon patchwork a try. I especially love the flower adornment for your handbag. Thank you for sharing your ideas!

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  4. hi jacquie. i think ive told you of my hexie love. i photocopy my papers from master sheets and use them 2or 3 times. much easier on the fingers. many years ago when i started out i drew around templates onto stiff brown paper. sometimes i still use the templates on old used copy paper. wish i could get my own blog going and share some pics.blessings, trills:-)

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  5. Ooh well done!
    Isnt it addictive?
    Cant wait to see what you come up with.

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    1. ps. thanks for the link, only just noticed xx

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    2. ps.thanks for the link, only just noticed xx

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  6. I have never tried patchwork so this suggestion may be laughable but could you use a low tack adhesive to temporarily attach the hexagons to the card instead of tacking them (sorry of this is truly ridicuous!) Lily. xxx

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    1. It may be a great idea but I'm a novice at patchwork too so I couldn't comment on how it would work out ...sorry for not being more helpful.
      Jacquie x

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  7. That looks so pretty! I'm very tempted. Thanks for the links to hex sheets - that makes it a lot easier! I'm wondering about greaseproof paper or cooking parchment. Easier to stitch through, but less easy to load into the printer. Do they do that kind of paper in sheets?

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  8. This was the very first type of patchwork I made way back when, and GD's first patchwork throw was made from hexagons of her baby cotton clothes as she outgrew them. It is a fab project to have on the go, on a car journey, or on hollibobs. Thank you for the reminisce! FMx

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  9. I share you "hexi" love. Doesn't a growing stack make your heart LEAP?? They are currently my favourite "take-along" craft. in fact, the other day, I had a crowd of soccer mom's surrounding me as I stitched at my oldest son's game. Hexis can create quite a stir!!

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  10. They look lovely in a stack all ready to be joined. I love projects like this that you can transport about with you x

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  11. I love your pile of happy hexies! You have made me want to get my tin out again my poor hexies have been neglected for ages now! Thanks for the link to my tutorial too xx

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  12. Your pile of hexies make me happy!!!!! I love hexagons, both of the fabric and crocheted variety! Happy stitching :)

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  13. Your pile of hexagons look really happy. I think the design you've created on your bag looks fab. Ali x

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  14. Last summer I made several hundred hexagons but have still to start sewing any together - I just want to make sure I'm happy with the colour combos before I start.
    Thanks for the link to the template. I'd been using the texas freckles 1.5" template but the link had broken. I've no excuse now not to get cracking again. What are you planning to do with yours - cushion? quilt?

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  15. It looks lovely, those piles. Somewhere I must have some from at least 30 years ago. I have to look for it, the colour palette will not be the same as I use now.
    I love to read your blog.

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  16. I love your hexagons and your fabric choices!! Thanks for all of the hexagon links; I'd love to try them someday...

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  17. Very, very lovely!
    And don't they look gorgeous all stacked up like that?
    I look forward to seeing what you do with them all.
    X
    Oh, and Your bag-makeover is great too.

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  18. The fabric choices are so sweet. I daren't click through the links as I have so many crochet projects on the go at the moment, I don't think there is space in my brain for any new crafts just yet. Maybe when the summer holidays come around...

    x

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  19. Oooohhh!! All of your lovely sewing is making me want to get my sewing machine out!! :) So inspiring!! The hexagon shape is really neat and you use them so creatively!!

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  20. That stack of hexagons looks lovely! I bought the book Everything Patchwork a little while ago and I am looking forward to the school holidays so I can try out some projects. I also wanted to thank you for the crochet bowl pattern, I have made a version and it turned out beautifully. I tried another design before yours and wasn't as happy with the results. I plan to post my pictures and will link back to you if that is ok. I only have four days of school left so hopefully they will sail by, despite the rain! Have a happy week! X

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    1. Yes that's fine Tiff, glad your bowl turned out well. Enjoy the holidays :0)
      Jacquie x

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  21. Great makeover for your bag.
    Thanks for the links, patchwork is something I have never tried, might just give it a go, looks easier than I thought it would be.

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  22. Jacquie, thank you so much for the links in this post. I am going to make note of them alongside of some other notes about English hex patchworking. One of these days, I will start cutting up some of my vintage fabrics and have fun creating something new from old.

    xo

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  23. Love your pile of colourful hexies Jacquie, the bag looks brilliant! Thank you for your kind mention, I do love a hexie, they are addictive, and it uses up my very small scraps!
    Love your jug and pretty flowers, so cheerful!
    Have a great week!
    Rachel x

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  24. This is so nice! Now you make me want to dig out the sewing machine and make a quilt or something!!!

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  25. Happy hexagons indeed, love your colours! I keep meaning to try paper piecing but not gotten around to it yet. I do like the idea that you can play about with colours etc before deciding on the final combination... it's going to look fantastic whatever it ends up being! x

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  26. I love all the colors. They look wonderful!
    Blessings,
    Kate

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  27. Beautiful hexies, gotta love them haven't you? Thanks for the link and for your lovely comment of my blog :)

    Sandra x

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  28. These are fabulous and I agree with how great that stack of hex's looks!! You might also love this:

    http://estheraliu.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/hex-to-share.html

    I've made abot 500 so far, I am going for a hex scrappy with all my favourite quilting fabrics.

    Love your blog x

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  29. I have nominated your blog for the versatile blog award! I love your blog and feel you deserve this award!
    Please go to my blog to see the entry!
    www.blondiesbearista.com

    Thank you!
    Lisa

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  30. I love your blog and I have nominated you for the versatile blog award! Please go to my blog to see the entry!
    www.blondiesbearista.com
    Hugz Lisa

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  31. Hi Jacquie ... really loving all your hexagons. Thanks for all the great inspiration ... I'm just wondering whether a hexagon project would be too difficult for my daughter as we have lots of off cuts from her stripy cushion project which would be perfect ... well nothing ventured nothing gained!! I'll let you know how we progress!

    Hope your having a lovely week.
    Fleur xx

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  32. I love it. Anything that's a little seventies is so wonderful to me. :)

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  33. I seem to be way behind with my blog reading again.
    I love the patchwork cushions and pin cushion you made, and the latest bag makeover is fab!

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  34. Your bag looks great. My shopping bag has some patchwork hexagons but starting to look more shabby than chic, think it might need a makeover.
    I've been thinking of making more hexagons and you've convinced me.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Carol xx

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  35. OlĆ” Jacquie!! Beautiful, fabulous hexagons!! Project lindo!!
    Tina Brasil!!

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