Saturday, April 17, 2010

hexagon quilt along... block #1

jaybirdquilts
The Hexagon Quilt-A-Long Posts
flickr pool block 1 & layouts   block 5
supply list & faq block 2 block 6
button & participants   block 3 block 7
cutting instructions block 4 finishing directions


block 1 & a sneak peek at the layouts!
 { fyi...you can join the hexagon quilt a long at any time }

block 1
kaleidoscope quilt block

follow the cutting instructions to make your pieced triangles

then take 6 from one strip.
and lay them out like this.

next
you are going to start to piece your hexagon together...
but only put 3 parts together... and 3... and leave it in 2 halves
see below.

in the cutting instructions i told you to press the seams towards the dark fabric
this is where that comes in handy.
you'll be able to "nest" your seams together to match points.
put two triangles together and sew a 1/4" seam.
press this seam open.
repeat to add one more triangle.
and press this seam open.
this should be your result.

repeat for the other half.

that's it!
so why aren't we sewing the entire hexagon together yet?
because this way we are going to avoid Y seams!

you have enough strip sets to sew 10 blocks.
but i only made 5.
it's up to you how many you want.
but 5 is a good number for now.
some can be the same as others... to use all the parts from a strip.
or you can make them all different!

--

layouts!

many people on flickr are taking photos of their quilts like this
my original neptune one.
and that is ok...
if that is how you want to make your hexagon quilt.
go for it!

but for this quilt a long
i wanted to give you a few new options!
and even though the quilts aren't done yet.
i'm getting lots of questions on where the "solid" will go
so that people can decide what color to use.
so here are a few sneak peeks!

and this layout is going to use the solid in some blocks
to make smaller floating hexagons
and also give the other hexagons some air

this layout will use solid triangles to give the hexagons some space
i hope that helps a bit!

the possibilities really are endless...
i'm just going to share a few!

edit
fyi... both layouts will use at least 5 of the 7... or maybe more
blocks that i'm going to show you.
so don't feel like you need to pick a layout yet!

other posts for the quilt-a-long
flickr pool - don't forget to add pictures along the way!

27 comments:

rachel griffith said...

ah dang.
you're making me want to make a hexie quilt now.
*sigh*

Terriaw said...

I'm so excited to be caught up and ready for your next set of instructions! I also love the sample layouts you provided for us. Thank you! My Kaffe fabrics are so bright that I'm thinking those solid triangles in between might work for me.

Cheri C. said...

Thanks! I got the ruler last week and LOVE it. I also was talking about the hexagons in the local quilt store and everyone was telling me how ugly the Y seam is. So, I can't wait for the next directions. I'm going to finish up the hexagons to the point you have and wait anxiously for the next steps...

holly k said...

oh boy...now which layout do I choose!!!! I kind of like that swirled look...hmmm...will have to lay them out and make some more to see what I think! Thanks!!! This is really fun!

Meg said...

OMG, Julie, these layouts have totally piqued my interest. Now I just need to decide on which fabric line, and dive in!

Teresa Marie said...

For crying out loud, just how many of these quilt alongs can I possibly join? You made this look entirely too cute! ;)

Ryan said...

I'm still undecided about the layout I want. I love the other block styles in the photos. You've inspired me! Lots to think about!

Thanks for the awesome tutorial Julie!

Lynz said...

OOOOH!! I am LOVING the LO with the solid hexies with the teeny wee chap in the middle. That could be the one for me!! Excellent.

Molly said...

I love BOTH layouts so who knows.... I might end up making two!! Now to get out my color card and pick out my solid.

Jeannie said...

Oh gees, I hate picking! you make it all look so good!
I'll sew first and worry later :)

Jewel said...

I think since I am making two I will try both layouts and a couple options on blocks too :)

Tracey Jacobsen said...

so cute Julie! love, love, love them.

And want to buy another jelly roll now. :)

RWL said...

yay, now i'm caught up! using joel dewberry's modern meadow and loving it. will post pics later. :)

Ulla said...

wow I´m so happy to find some ideas how to arrange the hexagons.
Ulla

wishes, true and kind said...

Eeeeek! Decisions, decisions....

ladmquilter said...

I love them all Julie they are awesome now what to do so undecided maybe I will have to do several thanks for the great examples.

Jennie said...

So many choices!! I'm going to have to lay it out many ways before I decide!

So, are we supposed to make more triangles with our jelly rolls now? Or just stick with the 5 strip sets we already made?

JariJari said...

i love the options of layouts...that's really great...some of the hexagon even look like a pinwheel! TQ

Ann said...

aha! I like the solid options and I also noticed the twirling block...
Thanks!

isa & marta said...

Preciosos , buenas ideas, tengo que pensar........ hacer ..........mejor hacer y ver luego como armar. Gracias.

Angela Nash said...

I love the small floating hexagons! Still not enough info for me to actually start sewing and cutting :) But close, and my solid will be white for sure, since that seems to be what Figgy Pudding needs.

yarnivorous said...

My goodness, you sneaky lady! I've never thought of what you can do with the two piece triangles but my eyes are opened :-)

KarrieLyne said...

Golly gee....so many choices....sooo...I choose them all! With the star like use of the background fabric. :)

Thanks for the sneak peak! My head was about to pop off at the suspense. ;)

CathyC said...

I love the hexagon idea! Looks like I have discovered your blog at just the right time ;-) I am about to start my first quilt and have decided to use this pattern, thank you!

Carla said...

Julie, this is such a fun quilt-along. I love it that we will have several options for setting the hexagons together. It will be all the more interesting to see what everyone comes up with. Great job!

Carrie P. said...

What a cool block and I love the quilt. Thanks for sharing.

Simone de Klerk said...

This is soooooo awesome, I'll be starting as soon as I get my 60 Degree ruler, to make the cutting easier.
Have a lovely weekend!