So my issue is with HEXAGONS.
As you know I am doing the Craftsy BOM hosted by the lovely Amy Gibson of Stitchery Dickory Dock. You can see January's Blocks Here and one of February's Blocks Here. Sadly I'm a little behind. Trying to catch up, but you know how that is.
This month is all about hexagons which I have been wanting to try. So while I was out and about I stopped into Joann and found these little reusable hexagon templates. I thought perfect this will make my life so much easier. Well, I don't know about that. Each one is super smooth and slick and the fabric just slides all over it. Am I doing something wrong here? I read the directions and followed them, so what gives. To me it just seems like I wasted money & I hate wasting money! :( So if you have any pointers for those guys I'm all ears. I ended up printing the course materials out and just traced a bunch on some copy paper and then cut them all out. Long story short here are a few of my little hexies.
My issue is joining the cute little things together.
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| They look fine from far away |
Amy said to whip stitch them together. I did, but mine don't look like hers :( Here is a close up and you can see the stitches. Also she said to use coordiating thread, but what do you guys suggest if they are all drastically different colors?
Any thoughts would be so helpful. I really like these guys and want to get them finished.
I'm also linking up with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday. I hope your having a lovely day!
I'm also linking up with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday. I hope your having a lovely day!
I don't like those plastic things, they need to be more flexible and thinner, so they pop out. Last week I did up a hexie tutorial. It might help you....
ReplyDeleteHttp://kateyz.blogspot.com/2012/04/hexagon-tutorial-part-1.html
I think you can;t avoid seeing the stitches - the key is to make them as small and regular as possible - maybe try a cream or a grey thread? Love the fabrics
ReplyDeleteI cant give you any advice, but I think that fabric is so cool and your hexies look great anyways!
ReplyDeleteNo suggestions - sorry! I'm avoiding the hexies this month. Think I'm going to make some other blocks instead - hand sewing just is not for me.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I think your stitches are fine! No one will be looking that closely at the quilt and will just be enjoying the overall effect :)
thanks for sharing your experience with the plastic hexagons - I nearly bought those last time I was in Joanns, now I don't think I will. I haven't made any hexies yet, but I think the stitches always show.
ReplyDeleteNo experience with the plastic hexagons. I am happy with paper ones. I bought them rather than cut them out. I think the thread usually shows some. Try using a thin thread in a grey color that may blend with all the colors. Good luck
ReplyDeleteI've purchased several packs of the plastic hexies, and really enjoy them. I suggest using a light, neutral thread - grey or beige. I baste these down only after pinning the fabric through the little hole in the middle of the plastic template. I know I'm describing it terribly, so here's a photo: http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c143/Gyrmalcyn/plastichexie.jpg
ReplyDeleteThe fabric still slides around a bit, but I have much less difficulty basting them this way. Then, once they're sewn together, I can snip the basting and remove the plastic templates.
The best toning threads colors are either a grey or mid-tone beige/taupe. In Aurifil 50wt Dark Grey #2605 is my fave followed by Beige #2326. Use the grey if your prints are predominantly cool and the beige if they are warm in color. Hope this helps...Your stitches are fine!
ReplyDeleteyou can't get rid of the stitches showing, but they will show much less once you have removed the templates. I only use thin paper (approx. 60g per square meter) as templates I simply print the hexagons on it (there are several free hexagon graph paper generators on the net). I firmly baste the fabric on the paper - means my basting thread goes through fabric and paper, that way I can only use the templates twice rarely more often but the fabric keeps firm, especially at the corners.
ReplyDeleteI too, have had no luck with the teflon hexagons and much prefer the paper ones. The first time I made pentagons I followed this tutorial and the glue method is much easier for me than the basting stitches.
ReplyDeletehttp://oneforawish.blogspot.com/2011/09/spiked-wheel-tutorial.html
I think I prefer paper for hexagons too, but I also think I don't cut them out very well. LOL I did a bunch with freezer paper and I'm pretty sure they were off - not a lot, not even a centimeter, but it just felt like they weren't "perfect" - I never look for perfection with a quilt, but doing these caused me to. I can see my threads too, but I figure whoever I give a gift to won't see it, so I'm okay with it. I am going to try the suggestion of grey and beige thread though!
ReplyDelete