I fell behind getting these little hexies done, so now I am doing them in two's. Only 15 more blocks left, but only 11 weeks to finish off the year! The challenge is on!!

​ I cannot wait to see everyones blocks, I hope y'all are working on them :)

The book where these block patterns originate is shown below, if you would like to purchase it click here or on the picture below:

Have a great Wednesday!

and today's block is....

Block # 16 Louise

If you are interested in the book above you can get it by clicking here

Only 36 more hexie blocks to go for 2016 and if you want to find out what all of this is about, check out the first blog post of 2016 here

Have a great Wednesday!😊

Step 1:
To make a Magic 8, first determine what size finished half-square triangles are desired.
For example:

1. Let’s say you want to make 3” finished half-square triangles.
2. Add to your 3” measurement, 7/8”.  (Your total is now 3-7/8”)
3. Multiply your total of 3-7/8” by 2. (That equals 7-3/4”)
4. 7-3/4” squares are the size needed to make your 3” finished half-square triangles.

Step 2:
​Determine your 2 fabrics, mine are lime green and white

Step 3: 
​With right sides together, draw two diagonal lines corner to corner.

Step 4: 
​Stitch a quarter inch of either side of both drawn lines.
​

Step 5:
Carefully cut apart with out shifting the stitched fabric square.
There will be four cuts:
Cut down the centre vertically, horizontally and then diagonally on each line you drew earlier
Use a rotary cutter and ruler to make sure you are accurate 

Step 6:
​Separate all 8 units and you will see you have 8- 1/2 square triangle units made like magic!

Step 7:
​Press towards the dark fabric and sew together like the below graphic and use pins to match points (recommended)

Step 8:
​Press connecting seams open to avoid bulking up the centre seam (recommended)

Step 8:
​Admire your efforts- I think this is the easiest way to make 1/2 square triangles!

Now get busy and make a quilt entirely from the method above with pinwheels/windmill blocks LOL.

It would make a great summer quilt, don't you think?

 Send us pictures to share if you do!

​Happy Tuesday!😊

Today, I thought I would share with you a fantastic method to make flying geese piecing units that are easily made without waste.  I also have a measurement chart to share with you that you can post in your sewing room for handy reference later.  

 This week, I am teaching a private lesson on Thursday and I thought I would show my student how to make flying geese using the most effective method possible.  I hope you all enjoy😊

What you will need:

Fabric- 1 strip width of fabric in light about 2 3/8"
          - 1 square 4 1/4" of a dark fabric
Mary Ellens Best Press- check out a source for this here
Frixion Pen - check out a source for this here
Rotary Cutter- check out a source for this here
Ruler- check out a source for this here
Sewing Machine
Thread to match
Scissors

How to make the Flying Geese Units:

Some rules to make these units:
1) To make 'No Waste' Flying Geese:
Cut a square the finished length measurement of the desired flying geese unit
and add to this, 1-1/4" (1.25)
2)Cut 4 squares the finished height measurement 
of desired flying geese and add 7/8" (.875)

For example:  one unit measuring  1  1/2" x 3" finished:
 - using rule #1 -Cut one square from dark fabric 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"
- using rule #2 -Cut 4 squares from light 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" square

See below fabric cut out:

Mark a diagonal line corner to corner with a Frixion pen on the smaller squares and place right sides together with the bigger square, see below:

Pin and sew on either side of the line through the centre 1/4" out from the line.

Cut through the centre of the unit above:

Press towards the geese, give it a spritz of Best Press (helps with the ironing process and makes your units pressed crisp and less likely to stretch), you will have 2 units made at this point

Lay the remaining 2 squares right side together against the above 2 units as shown below and mark with a Frixion pen once again:

Sew on either side of the line marked 1/4" out 

Cut through the centre of each line with a rotary cutter and ruler, you will now have 4 units

Press again away from the dark and your 4 units are complete.

​A chart to assist you with different sizes is below:

We are well into winter and at block 7 of our quilt along, almost enough to make a table runner!  But hang in there - only 45 left to go to freedom!

Seriously, they only take an evening or less to complete while watching TV.  It is nice to re-visit your scraps while making the blocks.  

This quilt along is from the book below and if you click on the book it will take you to Connecting Threads where you can purchase it if you like and challenge yourself to complete all 52 blocks this year! 

 Click here to see all of the other blocks to date!  It is getting difficult to capture them in one photo so, I will post all at the end of each month.

Interested in seeing where we started with this?  Click here to look at our first blog post and instructions for the quilt along.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!👍

​You are half way through the week, Yeah!

We now have 6 complete!  All are shown below:

They kind of remind me of Christmas Ribbon Candy!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!🍬

Block #3 of 52 is called "Sarah" from the book The New Hexagon, join us for this quilt along! There is still time until Jan 31, 2016 to be eligible for a prize at the end of the quilt along!! Details are here

We started this great quilt along - the week of Jan 4- see blog post January 6th  
​and January 13th 

 We are using the book The New Hexagon by Katja Marek and That Patchwork Place   

​Please see the book below:

Honestly, I can complete one block easily in an evening, so there is still time for anyone to catch up.  I am loving this English Piecing (hand piecing method), loving the accuracy, loving that I'm getting something done in front of the TV, loving re-admiring my fabric scraps.  

Ok so now you get it, I love my fabric and I might be just a wee bit fabric obsessed :)

Happy Wednesday everyone, I hope your week is progressing nicely!

The quilt along block for this week is #2 Carol - a very nice name and the name of a friend of mine! 

For those of you who did not check in last Wednesday we started a Quilt Along using the book The New Hexagon by Katja Marek and That Patchwork Place   This one was very easy!

​Please see the book below:

If you want to quilt along with us, there is still time (deadline to join is Jan 31, 2016) and you can get the book here .  There is a prize if you follow along and finish!  Email us if you are interested at [email protected]


Please read the requirements to join on the blog post for Wednesday January 6th 2015 on this website.


Happy Wednesday! I hope you are enjoying the Hexagon Quilt Along!!

Every Wednesday I will show you the blocks I am completing weekly from The New Hexagon book by Katja Marek and That Patchwork Place.  I love to English Paper Piece (EPP) and this book is about 52 Hexagon blocks. As there are 52 weeks in a year, this year I will be completing one a week and showing them Wednesdays on this blog. Starting today!!  See this weeks block below.

If you would like to Quilt Along  I encourage you to purchase this book here.
It's 20% off right now at Connecting Threads !  It's currently at $21.59 USD (retails for $26.99 USD).  I cannot give  you the patterns as they are Copyrighted.




But what I can do is.....offer a free give away of one of my patterns (of your choice free) along with 2 free fat quarters of my hand dyed fabric. To be sent to you at the end of 2016. That is if you join our NEW HEXAGON QUILT ALONG!

All you have to do:
You must show us:
1) You have purchased this book (keep your receipt)
and ....2) You have completed all 52 blocks by December 31, 2016.
You will need to send me photos of all your blocks and a scan/photocopy of your receipt at the end of the challenge!  Please advise by Jan 31, 2016 by email if you are taking on this challenge. (we are giving you time to think about it, but think fast you will need to catch up by then!)
​Also, please indicate in the email if you are comfortable with www.quiltingintheloft.com sharing photos of your blocks on this blog platform. We would love to share our readers progress on this project as we Quilt Along!  Email us at [email protected] or use our contact page.

Also if you decide to join, I can give you technique advice or answer your questions and give you colour suggestions along the way and  I am happy to do so.

About this The New Hexagon book:
This book is 96 pages and has all the clear patterns in it that can be personally copied to card stock and then EPP'd.  The book is beautifully written explaining tools and equipment, EPP techniques, quilt making basics and working with patterns.  There are 52 block patterns (each named with a woman's name) with photographs, 7 projects, patterns and labels and a gallery of quilts.  There are both modern and traditional colour options and layouts shown in the book. The patterns can also be reduced or enlarged as you wish!! The author Katja Marek explains both her fussy piecing and glue baste method (I chose to do it the hand sewing way).

I am experienced at English Paper piecing but this is manageable even for the beginner!  At the end you will have enough blocks to compose a quilt.

One block can be completed in an evening and it's a great scrap stash buster!!

If you have had an urge to try EPP and/or embark upon a pieced hexagon project, this book is for you! English Paper-Piecing (EPP) is a relaxing way to spend time while listening to an audio book, watching TV (especially during cold winter months), waiting for appointments, and traveling in the car.

My block for this week is shown below---- #1 "Marie"

 Email us if you would like to join our Quilt Along at [email protected] or check back with our blog page each Wednesday to see a new EPP Hexagon block each week.

I hope this quilt along is a great learning experience for everyone and that you enjoy digging in your stash for this one. :)  I'm so excited!!

​Happy Wednesday!