Quilting by Hand (English Paper Piecing Hexagon Method): Intro

I just finished my first quilt a week ago. It is awesome, if I do say so myself, and it's COMPLETELY handmade. As in, I stitched it together without a sewing machine at all using the English paper-piecing method with hexagons.

It took be about 15 months to do, but it was such a fun experience. Thanks to my friend, Lauren Gilkenson for inspiring me to quilt and showing me some tips along the way. Two days after completely my quilt, I went to my favorite local modern fabric store, Whipstitch. I met up with my sister-in-law, MaryJo, to help her start her first English paper-piecing hexagon handmade quilt while I started on my second.

It's hard to find a blog, book or resource about a completely handmade quilt, so I thought I would help anyone else out there with some videos, pictures and links, as I go along this time, so, get ready!

First, decide what size of hexagons you want to use. I used 1.25 inch hexagons which was a little small for a beginner, but I did it. MaryJo is choosing to do 1.5 inch hexagons as she starts her first hand quilting experience. You can order them online or buy them in a quilting store already pre-cut or you can cut your own using Hexagon Graph Paper printed on card stock like I did (it's cheaper yet more time consuming). (other website for graph paper: http://moxyideas.com/?page_id=328 )

Then you need to decide how big you want your quilt to be. Keep in mind that your batting (the inside that gives it thickness and warmth) will have to be bought down the line, and this might determine if you want to stick with standard size quilts. If you go with a non-standard size, you will need to connect your batting later on to make the size you need.

My first time around, I got fabric as I went along in the same color scheme, so it wasn't an exact science. If there is a collection or designer that you like, I suggest getting the fabric for the hexagons ahead of time. If you want one of those fabrics to be the binding (edges) and/or the backing (the back of the quilt), then I suggest buying it when you buy your hexagon fabric as well. With my first quilt, I bought a white/cream linen when I was at that step, 9 months after I got my hexagon fabric. this is where math comes in, remember that too much fabric is always better than not enough...  I have to constantly remind myself of that being as thrifty as I am.

Here are some additional helpful links to get you started:

Hexagon Cutting Guide:  To figure out how much fabric you need, based on how big you want your quilt and how many hexagons you will need.

Free Hexagon Pattern Sheets - mapping out your pattern if you want to have one. I didn't my first time, but I will be doing the Grandmother's garden pattern this time around. I think that a baby quilt/throw blanket quilt size is easiest to start with, and that's what my first and second quilt are.

Now, go get your fabric!