Hexie Go Round Block - Tutorial

As co-VP of the NHMQG I am developing a 9 month BOM.

The Hexie-Go-Round is the 2nd Block in the NHMQG series.

Pattern: Hexie-Go-Round PDF download. 

Step 1: Cut Background fabric 14” square (will be cut down to 12 1/2”).

Fold background in half 14”x7”, iron, then fold in half 7”x7”, iron. Set aside.

Step 2: Layer 2 pieces of Freezer Paper then cut Freezer Paper to the sizes above.  (I cut SEVEN of each hexie to make the process quicker)

Stack 7-10 pieces of fabric then iron freezer paper to top leaving space for seam allowance. (I used 6” squares of each fabric stacked so I could cut all the 3” + all the 2” at once.)

Cut Fabric using the hexie template made from freezer paper adding with 1/2” seam allowance all the way around using your clear ruler. Remove Freezer paper.

Step 3: Take one piece of fabric base bottom/back side facing up.

Take freezer paper with shiny side UP and center on fabric. Fold hexie side #1 onto freezer paper (see picture above), iron fabric.  Turn hexie to side #2 repeat, then repeat until all 6 sides are ironed down.  

Step 4: Leaving freezer paper in, using glue stick, place glue along folded/ironed fabric on back.  Tip your hexie over and place your first hexie into the middle of the 14” square using your ironing lines to center it.  Iron down.  Tip the fabric over and iron again.  At this point you can continue to place as many of the 7 hexies onto the background as you have ready or you can add them one at a time. 

*** Allow 3/4” space all the way around between the hexies.  See picture for details.

Step 5: Once your hexie(s) are ironed down you will machine applique the base hexies onto the background using Mono-poly Thread.  I use a simple zig-zag stitch set at 1 for width and 2 for length.  Using NEEDLE DOWN is helpful as you pivot the corners.  I set my foot so that the Left stitch is JUST inside the hexie then the Right stitch is just outside the hexie on the background fabric.  If you stitch too far in then it will be difficult to remove the freezer paper in the next step.  I always backstitch 3 stitches at the beginning and end of sewing each hexie down to lock the thread.

This LINKS to a YouTube Video:

 Needle Down / ZigZag 1-width & 2-length

Step 6: Once you have sewn your hexie onto the background, tip over the block.  Using a seam ripper, make a hole at 1/4”-1/2” from your stitch line.  Take a pair of scissors and continue to cut out the small shape of the hexie from the background fabric. Pull on the sides of the fabric and the freezer paper hexie will detach from the stitching.   Remove the freezer paper.

Step 7: Tip the block back over and using the same steps place the 2” hexies centered in the 3” hexies. Place, sew down, remove the freezer paper.

Here's the Hexie-Go-Round in another color! 

Can't wait to see what everyone else uses for colors!

I'll be adding a video of the machine applique shortly. 

I used my iPhone to tape and it's sideways...  Working on correcting that!!

Be in touch!

Marie