October 23, 2015

Hexagon Log Cabin Tutorial

I’ve been making lots of hexi-things, including this hot pad and matching placemats.

I made these placemats and hot pad to gift to my oldest daughter; she was expressing her hope to decorate her apartment for the holidays. She said she misses being home to see all our decorations. Since she and her roommate are both students and don’t have a lot of money to spare, I thought this would be appreciated.

I think she’ll love the fabrics and design. She loves fresh, modern quilting designs with a touch of cuteness. I found the bird fabric and Moda Winterberry collection at my local quilt shop. This project makes a great Saturday afternoon project.

For the matching Holiday Hexagon Placemat tutorial, visit the AccuQuilt blog on Monday.

Hexagon Log Cabin Table Topper / Hot Pad

Supplies

Hexagon die cutter or template (5″ sides) – I used AccuQuilt Cutting Die: Hexagons #55011

Insul-bright

Batting

Fabrics (jelly roll friendly):

4 fat quarters for top

1 fat quarter for backing

1 fat quarter for binding

Cutting Instructions

Cut out a hexagon using a template or cutting die from main fabric. I used the largest size hexagon of the AccuQuilt cutting die–it has 5″ sides.

Strips of coordinating fabrics:

1 1/4″ wide x 20″ strips for first ring (2)

2″ wide x 20″ strips for middle ring (3)

2″ wide x 20″ strips for outer ring (3)

Sewing Instructions

Sew all seams with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

1. Sew a 1 1/4″ wide strip to 1 side of the hexagon, with right sides together. Make sure the strip extends at least 3/8″ from edge of hexagon. Stop and start even with the edges of the hexagon as shown.

2. Press the seam allowances toward the hexagon.

3. Using a rotary cutter and acrylic ruler, trim the strip even with the sides of the hexagon, as shown.

4. Repeat steps 1 – 3, adding another strip right next to the strip you’ve just sewn onto the hexagon. Press and trim.

5. Continue to add strips by repeating steps 1 – 3, until all sides have a red strip sewn onto them.

6. Repeat steps 1- 5 for both other fabrics.

7. Press the hexagon log cabin block well.

8. Layer and quilt it. Place the backing fabric wrong side facing up. Place the Insul-bright on top of the backing fabric. Place the quilt batting on top of the Insul-bright. Place the hexagon log cabin block on top, with its right side facing up.

Pin together or use basting adhesive spray to keep it all together.

Quilt it as desired.

9. Trim the edges even and bind it. Binding a hexagon shape is a little different than a square or rectangle shape (it has 120 degree angles, not 90).

Binding a Hexagon Shape (corners)

(Double fold binding method)

1. Place your binding onto the hexagon, so the end is half way along 1 side. Pin it in place (I used wonder clips for this) and fold the corner as you would to sew the next side. Use your finger to finger press a crease where the binding will be folded at the corner.

2. Draw a line along the first crease. This is where you will stop and backstitch.

How to bind a hexagon quilting tutorial — This is the first side, so I did not sew the whole side. The slack is to help me sew the 2 ends together when I’ve sewn all the way around.

3. Refold the binding at the corner and sew the next side. Pin/clip the binding in place and fold the next corner and mark a stopping point for each corner, before you get to it.

4. Repeat steps 1 – 3 for each side and corner, until you’ve sewn the binding all the way around the hexagon.

Tip: since this is such a small project I pre-fold the start 1/4″ and just tuck the end inside the start of the binding. I do this cheater method for projects with really small side, because it’s too difficult to sew the ends together.

5. Fold the binding to the wrong side and hand sew it in place.