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Make a Hexagon Storage Pouch

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Do you wonder how to store your hexagon templates?  Let me show you how to make a hexagon storage pouch. This is a simple, hand stitched project but it could be stitched on machine if you so desired.

Hexagon storage pouch
Hexagon storage pouch

Nanny note:  I made this to fit my hexagon template set of 8 templates ranging from 1.5″ to 5″ (width) or  3/4″ to 2.5″ (side measurement)

What you need:

Pattern – you can get it here  Templates for my Hexagon Storage Pouch

Fabric scraps – I used 5′ charm squares for the triangles but you will see by the size of the pattern pieces that you can use much smaller scraps

7″ x 7.5″ rectangle for larger hexagon

6″ x 5.5″ rectangle for smaller hexagon

Medium weight fusible wadding – I used Vilene H640

What you do:

  1. Print off pattern
  2. Cut 1 of each of the large and small hexagon shapes from your fabric rectangles
  3. Using the small triangle shape and scrap fabrics, cut 6.  I used 5″charm squares and cut them all at the same time with a rotary cutter.

I was able to cut both size triangles from one charm. (and made more scraps 😉    )

4.  Press medium weight fusible wadding onto the back of each small triangle.

5.  Decide how you want to mix the large and small triangles

6.  Baste them, wrong side together, with a large stitch and trim each corner off to 1/2″

7.  Fold the edge of the large triangle into the edge of the small triangle and then fold over again

8.  Stitch along the edges taking care at the corners.

9.  Do the same thing with your hexagon shapes – you can check the method here

10.  Place the triangles to form a hexagon and stitch 4 together and the other 2 together – I used a ladder stitch.

11.  Stitch them to the hexagon shape to form the pouch and add a little ribbon to tie closed.

12.  Add your hexagon templates and relax, knowing that they will be protected and easy to find.

I hope you will enjoy making my Hexagon storage pouch.  I would love to see it so please tell me and share a photo.

Until next time

Nanny xx

 

 

 

9 Patch Sampler Quiltalong Completion

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Today we will take a look at the processes involved in the 9 Patch Sampler Quiltalong Completion.  These are pinning the quilt, quilting and then binding the quilt.

Pinning (or Basting) the Quilt

1.  Press the backing well and lay right side down onto your floor or table.

2.  Using your tape, tape the backing to the floor or table.  Pull it taught but don’t stretch it.

3.  Place your batting on the backing

4.  Place your well pressed quilt top, right side up on top of the wadding.

5.  Pin the quilt.

You will find a detailed description of the pinning process I use here. 

Quilting

  1. Decide how you want to quilt –

Stitch in the ditch – where you stitch along the ‘ditch’ formed by the seams.

Straight lines – following seams or diagonals

Free Motion Quilting

I will be using Straight lines and you can see details of the method I use here and here

2.  Have fun!

I decided to draw up a plan:

I started at the centre and worked my way out.  I decided to use black thread.

Front

and back

Binding

  1. Choose your binding fabric – I have chosen a stripe.
  2. Decide if you are going to apply your binding totally by machine (you sew it to the back first) or if you would prefer to hand stitch your binding (sew it to the front first) . The only difference in process is whether you start at the front or back of the quilt.
  3. Trim your quilt
  4. Prepare  the binding
  5. Apply the binding

You will can see the method I use here.

and I have to be happy with the stripe matching in the join at the end!

Congratulations!  That is the 9 Patch Sampler Quiltalong Completion.

I hope you have enjoyed our Quilt Along and that you are happy with your new quilt!

Don’t forget to give your quilt a label – I am calling mine ‘9 Patch Sampler in Black & White’ – now that’s original!! I would love to see your 9 patch sampler completed so please send me a photo so I can share the results.

I have had a fun time and am open to ideas for our next venture.

Until next time

Nanny xx

WEEK 1: Make a 9 patch sampler

WEEK 2:  Make a Railfence Variation

WEEK 3: Make Half Square Triangles

WEEK 4: Make a Shoo Fly Block

WEEK 5: Make a Friendship Star

WEEK 6: Make a Contrary Wife Block

WEEK 7: Make a Spool Block

WEEK 8: Make a Churn Dash Block

WEEK 9: Make a Formal Garden Block

WEEK 10: Make a Greek Cross Block

WEEK 11: Make a Chevron Block

WEEK 12:  Make a Birds in the Air Block

WEEK 13:  Make a Double 9 Patch Block

WEEK 14:  Make a Card Trick Block

WEEK 15: Make an Ohio Star Block

WEEK 16: Make Your own Block

WEEK 17: Complete the top

WEEK 18:  Backing with a Disappearing 9 patch

WEEK 19:  Completion of the 9 patch sampler

 

Backing your 9 Patch Sampler with a Disappearing 9 Patch

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Today I am going to show you an option for backing your 9 patch Sampler.

You can purchase special backing fabric which is wide enough to cover the back of your quilt but you often find that you cant find anything suitable.  Eventhough I had purchased some backing fabric, I decided it might be fun to show you a pieced back.

I decided that I would make one more 9 patch block using plain black and white.  I cut 5 x black 21″ squares and 4 x white 21″ squares.  They were a bit too large to photograph in total.

I plan to use this 9 patch to create a Disappearing 9 Patch Block.

The Disappearing 9 Patch Block is a very popular block as it is simple in construction but looks interesting and varied.

Normally you would make a Disappearing 9 patch block by making your 9 patch. You would then cut it vertically and horizontally through the centre like this:

Now because my black and white squares are so large, I’m going to cut them up before I make my 9 patch.  My tapes show where I will be cutting:

So I now have 4 x  black 21′ squares,  1 x black square cut into 4 x 10.5″ squares and 4 x white squares cut in half.

I will now sew each quarter by joining the small black square to a white and the large black square to the other white and then join them to form our quarter block.  I will repeat that to complete all four quarters.

I now turn the quarters to choose a layout.  Here they are all facing the same way:

and here the opposite large black squares are tuned towards the centre or corners. I will now join the 4 in this layout to complete the block and hence the backing.

My completed Disappearing 9 Patch Block all ready for a good press.

I am really pleased with my Disappearing 9 patch – I think it will make a great backing for my 9 patch sampler!

Until next time

Nanny xx

All tutorials for the Quiltalong can be found here.

Complete the 9 Patch Sampler quilt top

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Well here we are!  Now  all we have to do  is complete the  9 Patch Sampler quilt top!

This is where we get to see the importance of the accurate 1/4″ seams that you used to sew your 4.5″ squares together.  Just as we trimmed all squares of the 9 patch to 4.5″ to ensure that they went together quickly and easily, we now do the same with our blocks. It is by careful measuring, cutting and sewing and then trimming as you go, that you will have 16 blocks that all measure 12.5″ square.

I entered my blocks into ‘Quiltology’ to show you my trials with sashing (the strips between the blocks) and cornerstones (the little squares at the corner of the blocks).

White sashing with black cornerstones:

Black sashing with a white cornerstone:

No sashing:

I decided that I liked the no sashing option best and I am going to add a plain  border.

NANNY NOTE: The final layout and construction of the quilt top will be a personal choice and will depend on your fabric design and colours .

If you have decided on the ‘no sashing’  option continue on:

  1.  I suggest you take a photo of your layout for future reference and then mark the blocks across the top into rows 1-4.
  2. Following your layout, join the 4 blocks in row 1 matching the seams as we did in making our 9 patches.  Then join the 4 in row 2, row 3 and row 4.
  3. Press the seams in opposite directions ie row 1 press up, row 2 press down, row 3 press up and row 4 press down.
  4. Join the rows, matching the seams.

This is mine and I’m thinking ‘Why did I put that one there?’  Don’t worry if this happens, as I seem to see things differently depending on the weather and my pain levels!  Will it matter in the long run where you put each block?  The answer is No – it will just make it your unique creation!

If you choose to add sashing:

  1. Cut strips 2.5″ (or the width you want)
  2.  Cross cut strips into 24 pieces 12.5″ long
  3.  Cut 9 x 2.5″(or matching your sashing width) squares for cornerstones
  4. Join each of the blocks in row 1 (see instructions above) with a 12.5″ sashing. So Block/sashing/block/sashing/block/sashing/block.   Repeat for row 2,3 and 4
  5. Join 4 sashing pieces with a cornerstone between each ( you will have 4 sashing pieces and 3 cornerstone squares – sashing/cornerstone/sashing/cornerstone/sashing/cornerstone/sashing).  Repeat two more times.
  6. Matching the seams, join a sashing/cornerstone strip to the right hand side of row 1, 2 and 3
  7.  Now join all of the rows to complete your quilt top.

Adding a border and/or a sashing strip (the process is the same)

I am adding a 6.5″ border to mine.

  1.  Cut 6 x 6.5″ wof strips
  2.  Join strips across the short ends
  3.   Measure your quilt top along the sides and through the middle – it will be approx 48.5″ (no sashing)
  4.  Cut 2 strips of border to the length of  your measurement
  5. Take your border piece and by folding, mark 1/2 and then fold again to mark 1/4 (I use pins)

6.   Do the same with your quilt top – marking along both sides.

7.  Match up your pins on the border and quilt top and pin.

8.   Sew border to quilt top.

NANNY NOTE:   I am sewing on the quilt top side so I can see where the seams meet to ensure that I end up with all of my points in tact!  We talked about this when we made the Chevron Block here 

9.  Press.

10.   Now repeat from Number 3-8 to add the top and bottom border.  This method will  result in a nicely fitted border that sits flat.

Congratulations on finishing your quilt top!  Next week we will look at preparing the backing.

Until next time

Nanny xx

 

 

Be Creative 9 Patch Block

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Well here we are about to complete the final block of our 9 Patch Sampler quiltalong!  We have looked at some traditional 9 patch blocks and some variations of others.  Today it is your turn!  You are going to create Block 16 and I am calling it the Be Creative 9 Patch Block!

During the quiltalong, you have accumulated ‘spare’ squares and now it is your turn to make your own 9 patch block using our ‘leftovers’ and/or others of your creation.

Just remember to trim your squares to 4.5″ before you make your 9 Patch Block.

You will have leftovers from:

Railfence Variation

Birds in the Air

Card Trick

Chevron

You do not HAVE TO use the leftovers  – if you have already used them elsewhere, don’t worry.  Take your scraps and create!

This is my effort.  I’m not sure where my top right square came from (must have made that one up) but you can see that I have used the others.

Next week we will join our quilt top so  have fun arranging your blocks until you find a layout that you are happy with.

Until next time

Nanny xx

 

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All content and images belong to Nannycraft4u unless otherwise indicated. You are welcome to link back to my blog, but you may not copy whole posts, tutorials or photos without my permission. Please give credit for my work and link back to the original post at Nannycraft4u.com If you use one of my ideas, I would love to know about it. Designs and tutorials are for personal use only.