I've been watching multiple videos on the best way to assemble a hex flower, and this was the most thorough. Doing all the petals in pairs and then joining to the center makes SO much sense, and seems like it would be a lot less fussy. Giving it a go on my next flower tonight. Thank you!
One tip I would like to share is that english paper piecing is much easier to do if you heavily starch your fabric before making your hexagons. When you fold the edges over the paper, the starch keeps the folds crisp, even with finger pressing, and the fabric does not shift. Also, I'd like to mention when I've done this, I haven't needed to baste through the papers, but instead I baste on the fabric only, taking a little backstitch at every corner. This means I can leave my basting stitches in the fabric when I pop out my papers, saving me a step and keeping my papers stronger and more reuse-able.
That's interesting. I don't use starch but might give this a try. It would be slower in the preparation phase but faster when it comes to removing the papers.
I got the tip for starching all my quilt fabrics from Sharon Schamber, who also has many other excellent tips for hand-sewers on her channel. You would love her! I like taking inspiration from many different sources to find the techniques that work best for me. Starch is definitely a good one! I wouldn't sew without it now.
OMG!! What a great tutorial, I have just learned so much from you in these 18:03 mins. then I have from most videos. You have a very clear, calm, and straight to the point method of delivering a lesson. If you were teaching a class close by me, I would be a student in that class. Fortunately we are so lucky that you have taken the time to share with us, the you tube viewers, this free, & wonderful tutorial. Please keep sharing. You have a fan & subscriber for life. Thank you
I have been intimidated by the term "paper piecing" and "quilting. Having watched this tutorial I plan to purchase some Hexes and try my hand at this. You are very articulate in the directions and approach to paper piecing which gives one hope, that it is possible to learn paper piecing and quilting. I plan to watch every video you have composed on you tube for additional tips and most of all confidence in trying new things. Thank you for sharing your time and talents with the world.
Wow!! what a perfect toutorial your tutorial is one of the best in my opinion.I learn without any confusion, even I didn't have to rewind, like I had for many other you tube tutorial .Thank you so much! for everything!! you are the best!
@Becky Goldsmith I take tiny stitches too, when I'm doing EPP. I also hold mine up to the light to make sure I've got my corners stitched closed good and tight. I figure, if I'm putting all of the time and effort into piecing a quilt by hand, the last thing I want to have happen, is for the top to start coming apart after a couple of washes. I want that quilt to last 4-EVER!!! Thanks for all of your great tutorials!
this is a great video thanks I am new to sewing and have thought about trying this for a while but it looked complicated however after watching this going to give it a try so fingers crossed
A huge thank you for this tutorial. I found it so easy to understand and follow. I sure will be putting this in my saved folder for later viewing. Out of 10., I would rate this as a 10 or above. You did it close so we can.. see what you are doing. You sure did get a thumbs up from me plus I subscribed as well. Again a huge thank you.
About removing papers, one clarification: it is always okay to remove papers from hexes that are FULLY SURROUNDED by other hexes already sewn together. Never remove papers from hexes that are part of a free edge, though, until ready to complete the piece. Even then, I would only remove them as I sewed up to them. Those papers are invaluable for stabilization, especially if a motif will be handled or stored much before completion.
can you tell me about the single thread, in joining the hexies. I have only hand sewn with a double thread with a knot at one end. Are you just careful not to loose the doubled over strand near the top? I just watched the glue episode with the sewline pen, I purchased that as well, that does look quicker.
Thank you, Becky. I want to try this! What do you think about gluing down the fabric around the paper instead of basting it? I have seen other videos that do this, for the speed of it.
Hi Peggy: I have used the glue pen and liked it because of the way it speeds up the prep work. In fact, I show how to use it in a different video. But when it comes to removing the papers, it is easier to remove ones that were basted. It's a trade-off and we each have to decide which part makes them more crazy-taking the time to baste or dealing with the glue when removing the papers.
A great tutorial. I have been fortunate to be given an incomplete hexagon shaped quilt with paper piecing done by hand. however, it has a background. I can manage the flowers but how do I join them to the background
Sometimes you do sew through the edge of the paper, but try not to because then it's hard to remove the paper. Also, you end up getting too much fabric in the seam.
You can either glue or thread baste the seam allowance to the paper in preparation for sewing. Glue is faster, basting is tidier. And in many cases, thread basting is easier on the fabric when it is time to remove the papers.
I have a question. Why do you sew through the paper instead of just catching the fabric on each side of a corner fold? I'm making my first hexie quilt and have hand sewn 300 individual hexes. Haven't joined any yet.
If you mean why do I baste through paper, I do that do keep the paper from shifting as I stitch the shapes together. On little hexies you could maybe baste the fabric at the corners without going through the paper (I haven't tried that but I can imagine it) but on larger shapes I want the seam allowance to be held in place better. I do my best not to stitch through the paper when I am sewing the shapes together. If that doesn't answer your question, just let me know and I'll try again :-).
I'm sorry for making a negative comment to someone so talented, but every time I want to watch what you are doing your hands move out of the camera frame. Learning how to start and finish a technique is very important for learning something correctly. May I suggest you ask a learner for some feedback on your videos before you post them as I think some of the most important parts are missing. You are so talented, it would be great to be able to see what you are doing.
@@BeckyGoldsmith Thank you so much for replying, I feel privileged that you've taken the time to do so. I've watched all your video's, many over and over again, you really are a wonderful teacher and I appreciate the time and effort you put into everything you demonstrate. I can only dream of creating quilts as beautiful as yours; so thank you again for being so generous and sharing your techniques with the world.
I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am for your tutorial. Thank you! 💞🕊
You are so welcome!
I've been watching multiple videos on the best way to assemble a hex flower, and this was the most thorough. Doing all the petals in pairs and then joining to the center makes SO much sense, and seems like it would be a lot less fussy. Giving it a go on my next flower tonight. Thank you!
One tip I would like to share is that english paper piecing is much easier to do if you heavily starch your fabric before making your hexagons. When you fold the edges over the paper, the starch keeps the folds crisp, even with finger pressing, and the fabric does not shift. Also, I'd like to mention when I've done this, I haven't needed to baste through the papers, but instead I baste on the fabric only, taking a little backstitch at every corner. This means I can leave my basting stitches in the fabric when I pop out my papers, saving me a step and keeping my papers stronger and more reuse-able.
That's interesting. I don't use starch but might give this a try. It would be slower in the preparation phase but faster when it comes to removing the papers.
I got the tip for starching all my quilt fabrics from Sharon Schamber, who also has many other excellent tips for hand-sewers on her channel. You would love her! I like taking inspiration from many different sources to find the techniques that work best for me. Starch is definitely a good one! I wouldn't sew without it now.
Thank you very much. Yes, all is clear now. One day i will try sewing EPP.
OMG!! What a great tutorial, I have just learned so much from you in these 18:03 mins. then I have from most videos. You have a very clear, calm, and straight to the point method of delivering a lesson. If you were teaching a class close by me, I would be a student in that class. Fortunately we are so lucky that you have taken the time to share with us, the you tube viewers, this free, & wonderful tutorial. Please keep sharing. You have a fan & subscriber for life. Thank you
markay vintageformeforever Thank you! What a lovely comment and it has made my day :-).
Becky Goldsmith Your very welcome, and you truly earned it. I am watching all of your tutorials and loving them. Thank you
Thank you. I have been looking for this for ages.
Then I'm very happy you finally found it :-).
Becky your tutorials are a delight to watch, they are so clear, easy to understand and inspiring. Thank you for sharing x
Thank you for you lovely comment! Enjoy your stitching, Becky
Thank you very much for taking the time to do this video. It is great. Very clear and concise.
I have been intimidated by the term "paper piecing" and "quilting. Having watched this tutorial I plan to purchase some Hexes and try my hand at this. You are very articulate in the directions and approach to paper piecing which gives one hope, that it is possible to learn paper piecing and quilting. I plan to watch every video you have composed on you tube for additional tips and most of all confidence in trying new things. Thank you for sharing your time and talents with the world.
I to was hesitant but started, love the hand work. Did order my pieces and a few books. Took a tray and set myself up.
Thank you for sharing this technique with us. This is the best one I've seen so far. 😁
Wow!! what a perfect toutorial your tutorial is one of the best in my opinion.I learn without any confusion, even I didn't have to rewind, like I had for many other you tube tutorial .Thank you so much! for everything!! you are the best!
@Becky Goldsmith I take tiny stitches too, when I'm doing EPP. I also hold mine up to the light to make sure I've got my corners stitched closed good and tight. I figure, if I'm putting all of the time and effort into piecing a quilt by hand, the last thing I want to have happen, is for the top to start coming apart after a couple of washes. I want that quilt to last 4-EVER!!! Thanks for all of your great tutorials!
Very detailed, neat job.
this is a great video thanks I am new to sewing and have thought about trying this for a while but it looked complicated however after watching this going to give it a try so fingers crossed
i am going to try these, looks like fun.
Thank you .... you answered so many questions..... this is a great video
Love your calm, clear directions. Great tutorial. You have a new subscriber!
I love it that you say I sound calm :-). I do try to be just that but don't always succeed.
I'm glad you're happy!
A huge thank you for this tutorial. I found it so easy to understand and follow. I sure will be putting this in my saved folder for later viewing. Out of 10., I would rate this as a 10 or above. You did it close so we can.. see what you are doing. You sure did get a thumbs up from me plus I subscribed as well. Again a huge thank you.
About removing papers, one clarification: it is always okay to remove papers from hexes that are FULLY SURROUNDED by other hexes already sewn together. Never remove papers from hexes that are part of a free edge, though, until ready to complete the piece. Even then, I would only remove them as I sewed up to them. Those papers are invaluable for stabilization, especially if a motif will be handled or stored much before completion.
I agree. Thanks for your tips!
Beautiful
ty so much
can you tell me about the single thread, in joining the hexies. I have only hand sewn with a double thread with a knot at one end. Are you just careful not to loose the doubled over strand near the top?
I just watched the glue episode with the sewline pen, I purchased that as well, that does look quicker.
Thank you, Becky. I want to try this! What do you think about gluing down the fabric around the paper instead of basting it? I have seen other videos that do this, for the speed of it.
Hi Peggy:
I have used the glue pen and liked it because of the way it speeds up the prep work. In fact, I show how to use it in a different video. But when it comes to removing the papers, it is easier to remove ones that were basted. It's a trade-off and we each have to decide which part makes them more crazy-taking the time to baste or dealing with the glue when removing the papers.
A great tutorial. I have been fortunate to be given an incomplete hexagon shaped quilt with paper piecing done by hand. however, it has a background. I can manage the flowers but how do I join them to the background
You might try appliqueing them to the background. That can also be a good way to add borders to a hex quilt.
Are there times were you sew trough the paper when sewing together the the hexies?
Sometimes you do sew through the edge of the paper, but try not to because then it's hard to remove the paper. Also, you end up getting too much fabric in the seam.
Why stitch the paper to the fabric ?
You can either glue or thread baste the seam allowance to the paper in preparation for sewing. Glue is faster, basting is tidier. And in many cases, thread basting is easier on the fabric when it is time to remove the papers.
I have a question.
Why do you sew through the paper instead of just catching the fabric on each side of a corner fold?
I'm making my first hexie quilt and have hand sewn 300 individual hexes. Haven't joined any yet.
If you mean why do I baste through paper, I do that do keep the paper from shifting as I stitch the shapes together. On little hexies you could maybe baste the fabric at the corners without going through the paper (I haven't tried that but I can imagine it) but on larger shapes I want the seam allowance to be held in place better.
I do my best not to stitch through the paper when I am sewing the shapes together.
If that doesn't answer your question, just let me know and I'll try again :-).
I'm sorry for making a negative comment to someone so talented, but every time I want to watch what you are doing your hands move out of the camera frame. Learning how to start and finish a technique is very important for learning something correctly. May I suggest you ask a learner for some feedback on your videos before you post them as I think some of the most important parts are missing. You are so talented, it would be great to be able to see what you are doing.
Hi Merry: Yes, you are right. If I find time I'll remake this video or one like it.
@@BeckyGoldsmith Thank you so much for replying, I feel privileged that you've taken the time to do so. I've watched all your video's, many over and over again, you really are a wonderful teacher and I appreciate the time and effort you put into everything you demonstrate. I can only dream of creating quilts as beautiful as yours; so thank you again for being so generous and sharing your techniques with the world.
Your hands drop below camera view.