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Hi Friends! It’s Lisa Ruble from Quilty Zest and today we’re talking hexies!
I love the look of hexies - they’re even one of the prints in my Refresh fabrics! - but I’m not into English Paper Piecing (EPP) and all the hand stitching it requires. So I came up with two ways to use hexagons in a design without all the handwork. Download the hexie template here.
The T-Shirt If you’ve followed my blog posts here, you know I do a lot of raw edge fusible applique - it’s quick, it’s easy, and it creates a wonderful and lightweight finished design. And that’s exactly what I did on my t-shirt. Download the pdf in the link above for the hexagon template. Here is a quick overview of the steps; for more detailed information on creating a raw edge fusible applique design on a t-shirt, check out this tutorial.
Quick steps: Trace the desired number of hexagons onto the paper side of fusible web, cut out loosely beyond the drawn lines, fuse to the wrong side of fabric, and cut out. Fuse to your t-shirt, fuse lightweight fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the t-shirt front, and stitch to secure hexies in place. That’s it!
The Pillow I wanted to try a version with cleaner finished hexie edges for my pillow. This is inspired by EPP - using VersaCraft as the interfacing shape and wrapping the fabric around it. Then we add a little fusible adhesive on the back and voila! Hexies with clean edges for your pillow. The little bit of stiffness works beautifully on a pillow - but it will be too stiff for a t-shirt. (Psst…you can also use the raw edge fusible applique technique for this pillow if you prefer!) Here’s what I came up with.
And here’s how to make the pillow:
You’ll Need:
4” squares of 16 prints (I used my new Refresh fabric collection from Benartex)
5/8 yard Party Geese Black for pillow
16” square pillow insert
HeatnBond VersaCraft Fusible Interfacing
HeatnBond Lite Sewable Iron-On Adhesive
HeatnBond Fusible Fleece
Pressing Paper
Cutting:
From the Black pillow fabric: (1) 16-½” x WOF strip; subcut (1) 16-½” square and (2) 12-½” x 16-½” rectangles for backing
From the Fusible Fleece: (1) 16-½” square
Make the Hexies:
Step 1: Trace (16) outer hexie shapes onto the dull side of the VersaCraft Interfacing. Cut out each hexagon. Tip: Trace 8 hexies and then pin another layer of interfacing underneath. This allows you to cut hexagons out two at a time!
Step 2: Trace (16) inner hexie shapes onto the paper side of fusible web. Cut out each hexagon on the shape. Tip: Follow the same time-saving technique of layering as above, but cut with your rotary cutter! 
Step 3: Center and fuse (1) interfacing hexie to the wrong side of (1) 4” fabric square. Use Pressing Paper when you fuse.
Step 4: Trim fabric approximately ⅜” past the interfacing hexagon (this cutting doesn’t have to be perfect). 
Step 5: Working one side at a time, press the excess fabric over the edge of the interfacing.
Step 6: Work all the way around the hexagon, pressing fabric edges in.
Step 7: Starting with the last edge folded in, position and fuse a fusible inner hexagon to cover the raw edges. Fuse about half of the hexagon first, securing approximately (3) edges. Tuck the remaining edges under and finish fusing. 
Watch this video for a closer look at the hexie making technique. Make a total of (16) hexies.
Make the Pillow:
Step 1: Fuse the 16-½” Fusible Fleece square to the wrong side of the 16-½” black square.
Step 2: Remove the paper from the back of the hexagons. Lay out the hexagons on the black square in (4) rows of (4), spacing the hexagons evenly and arranging colors as desired.
Step 3: Fuse the hexies in place. 
Step 4: Using neutral thread, stitch near the outer edges of each hexagon to secure in place. Check out those clean folded edges!
Step 5: Fold the long edge of (1) 12-½” x 16-½” black piece over ¼” and press, and then fold over ¼” again and press. Topstitch to create a finished edge. Make (2) backing pieces.
Step 6: Lay the pillow top right side up. Place (1) backing piece on top, matching raw edges, and pin in place. 
Step 7: Add the second backing piece, matching raw edges, so the hemmed edges overlap in the middle. Stitch around the outer edge of the pillow with a ¼” seam allowance. Clip corners, turn pillow cover right side out, and stuff with pillow insert. You’re done! 
Whichever method you choose to make hexies, I hope you have fun creating this project!
by Lisa Ruble
