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Tiny Hexie Project

2/1/2020

13 Comments

 
quarter inch hexagons
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful festive period and I wish you all health and happiness for the coming year ahead. What better way to start the year than with a new project! I've been thinking for a long time about making a quarter inch hexagon wall hanging and I decided over Christmas that it was now or never. If I don't start it this year, I never will. So I set to work gathering scraps and basting my tiny hexies ready to start. If you are anything like me, you like to know the details behind projects so I thought I'd share with you why I want to make this quilt, my inspiration and my method, just in case you'd like to join me with your own quarter inch hexie project. I know quarter inch hexies aren't for everyone but already one lovely person has asked to join me and I'd love it if more people would like to join in too.
tiny English paper piecing
I've wanted to make a large piece from tiny quarter inch hexagons ever since I saw Miss Leela's Wedding Medallion Quilt. Please click the link and check it out as it is amazing! I've also compiled a Pinterest board with some ideas and inspiration from other quarter inch projects I've seen. I don't know the layout of my piece yet but I will use these designs as a guide to get me started. 
pretty scrap fabrics
There's a little bit more to making this piece than just wanting to though. Firstly, it will be predominantly made from scrap fabric. I am conscious of the effect the textile industry has on the environment and I strongly believe in making sure the fabrics we do buy are carefully considered purchases and are not wasted in any way. So this project will use floral fabric scraps left over from my other sewing projects in addition to some solid coloured fabrics that I have purchased specifically for this piece. As I am making quarter inch hexagons, even the tiniest of pieces can be used so this is a great way to use up scraps.
quarter inch hexagon flower
Sewing has always been a sort of therapy for me. It allows my mind to be calm and the rhythm of stitching helps me to relax and reduces my stress levels. I've recently struggled again with low mood and feelings of anxiety and worry. I want this project to be the one that I turn to to help me through those feelings and to provide relief from them. Nature has always had a positive effect on my well being and so I plan to fussy cut tiny flowers for many of the hexagons. I know that seeing these tiny blossoms will lift my spirits and will also remind me to focus on the small things in life that can bring us joy. I hope that by thinking in this way, I can feel better. Only time will tell but I will be sure to let you know how it goes and if it does work. 
Hexiform shapes
Staying true to myself, I will be making this quilt up as I go along, it seems to be the way I do everything these days! I will be using Hexiform shapes from Ashmead Designs and I'm buying them bit by bit as I think I will need 1000s! I love the Hexiform because you don't need to remove it at the end as you do with papers. It acts as a layer of wadding/batting and it gives a lovely structure to the piece. 
superior threads bottom line
I'm using Superior Threads Bottom Line Thread in colour 623 because it blends really well with most colours of fabric. As it's polyester, it is really strong and I need to use a strong thread as I've decide to sew the hexagons together using a ladder stitch rather than the usual whip stitch. When working with such small hexagons, I was finding that my stitches looked really big when I whip stitched, no matter what thread or needle I used. Ladder stitch definitely takes me longer than whip stitching at the moment, and it feels like I'm learning from the beginning all over again. But hopefully I will find my rhythm with it and when I do, I will post some video tutorials on Instagram just in case there's anybody who would like to see. 
teeny tiny hexie
I don't really have a name for this project yet, but I'm sure one will come to me in time. For now I'm calling it the tiny hexie project! I'm hoping I can spend about 45 minutes a day on it most days and if you want to follow my progress, I will probably show where I'm up to once a week on Instagram.
If you fancy joining me with your own quarter inch hexie project or similar, let me know! It will be fun to stitch along together. 
​Happy sewing! 
13 Comments
Kay
3/1/2020 09:43:53 am

How fun. I have made a few tiny hexie flowers like this and used them to appliqué onto make up bags but never a whole quilt in this size. I haven't tried the flexifoam shapes, actually never hear dog them but will look out for them as when working with smaller shapes it would be so useful not to have to remove papers too. x

Reply
Emma
3/1/2020 03:09:59 pm

I’ve only ever used them as you’ve described too so it’s definitely going to be a challenge for me! And you are right about not having to remove the papers, definitely makes it easier, especially when working with such a small size. Thank you for your comment Kay! Happy sewing 😊

Reply
Nim
3/1/2020 09:52:38 am

This is a lovely idea Emma. I truly believe setting even a small amount of time aside each day for some hand stitching can really help with our mental health. I'm looking forward to watching this project grow. And I've never heard of those templates they sound great, I'm going to check them out. I fancy a quarter inch hexie project but just something small! x

Reply
Emma
3/1/2020 03:11:58 pm

Thank you Nim! I’m really hoping this project is going to keep me feeling positive. I’ve never attempted something large out of these tiny shapes so I hope I can do it!😊🌸

Reply
Leela Brown
27/1/2020 02:14:08 am

Hi Emma,

I enjoyed reading your post on this project. I'm very much looking forward to following along on your progress. I'm so happy I could inspire you to give quarter inch hexies ago. Thank you for mentioning me and my wedding medallion...it helps to keep me motivated to work on it and get it finished! Leela x

Reply
Emma Jones
27/1/2020 08:27:11 pm

Thank you so much for reading my post Leela. Everything you do is so inspiring to me, your work is so beautiful. I love your wedding medallion so much! It’s a true work of art x x

Reply
JoAnn Diem
28/1/2020 01:48:25 pm

This looks so amazing....I was wondering...do you glue baste the hexies or thread baste?
Can't wait to follow your progress!!

Reply
Emma
30/1/2020 07:33:54 am

Thank you so much! I’m glue basting them, I never thread baste, I love the glue method. Thank you for reading my blog and leaving a comment 😊

Reply
Kathy Callahan
9/11/2021 03:35:39 am

I am hoping to follow. I am wanting to do this also. I will placed an order for the hecki form

Reply
Stacie kobs
18/4/2022 01:37:58 am

Do you have an update on the quilt with the 1/4” hexagons?

Reply
Karen K Johnson
7/5/2022 02:39:54 pm

Love doing hexies! I have done a few 1/4”ones and struggled thru paper removal !! Need to find the forms you mentioned, as I would then join you in making a larger piece. Slow stitching is something I do everyday.
Will be following you.

Reply
Margie
3/6/2022 11:05:21 pm

Enjoy doing 1inch or less EPP.

Reply
Cynthia
13/3/2025 11:06:29 pm

I’ve been slowly making my way through your lovely website and blogs and I’ve been wanting to try my hand at the tinier pieces. I started a few years ago and in teaching myself I immediately went to ladder stitch not realizing it’s not a typical one to use but I liked the results better. Thank you for this wonderful website

Reply



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    A post shared by Emma Jones - EPP & Embroidery (@vintagesewingbox) on Oct 20, 2019 at 8:34am PDT

    About the Author
    My name is Emma and I love all things sewing, especially EPP. My little blog is the place where I document what I'm making. I hope you enjoy reading what I'm up to! All opinions are my own and I only share things that I think you will love. Thank you for taking the time to stop by. 

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