Appliqué Hexies with Setting Triangles

There are many ways to prepare hexagons out of fabric and many ways to sew them together into a quilt as well. Traditionally, hexies were basted to paper and sewn together by hand using a technique known as English Paper Piecing. We have recently been exploring some innovative new time-saving options, including:

Basting the hexies to fusible interfacing, which does not need to be removed. See Hexies, the Apliquick Way!
Using precut iron-on interfacing hexies, rather than tracing and cutting ourselves. See Precut Iron-on Interfacing
Sewing hexies together by machine, using a small zigzag stitch. See Grandmother’s Flower Garden Hexies, by Machine
Arranging hexies in rows using scrappy fabrics. See Scrappy Hexies, by Machine

Now let’s see what happens when we appliqué hexagons onto a background fabric. All kinds of new options emerge!

Set up your sewing machine for a blind hem stitch, zigzag stitch or straight stitch.  On my machine, I set the stitch width at 1 and the stitch length at less than 1 and used the blind hem stitch.  Install an appliqué foot.  Choose either monofilament thread with a neutral bobbin or colored thread that matches your fabric.

The blind hem stitch is a series of straight stitches followed by a zigzag stitch. Position the stitch so the straight stitches land on the background fabric beside the hexagons and the zigzag stitch catches the folded edge of the hexagon.

Choose a background fabric for your prepared hexies. Arrange the hexies on the background, with points touching, and appliqué in place.

Isn’t that cool? The space between the hexagon points creates triangles! What a quick and easy way to create a whole new look with hexies.