Double the Hexies

When I wrote about my first encounter with modern hexies, I figured there would be more in my future. Maybe not many, but some. I had an equal amount of the gray Sketch for another backing as well as plenty more hexies basted up. I kind of wanted to try a different layout, but I loved the first so much I just did it again. I had in mind to orient the second grouping the opposite way and make a 'pair'. Except I miscalculated on where I began my gluing (how? why?), so it's not quite the image I had hoped for. But you get the idea.

Overall this time went much smoother. At Nicole/Modern Handcraft's suggestion, I got a Fineline tip for my glue bottle and that made things a lot less messy. I bought a pack from Alyssa/Pile O'Fabric and used the 'super flow' one, which was still a pretty fine line. On a side note, Alyssa has a really terrific shop - oodles of quilting and bag-making supplies in addition to beautifully curated fabric and lots of patterns. Anyway, the finer glue tip really helped and I had those babies glued down in no time.

Quilting was equally quick and fun as before. I love the look when finished! Personally, the quilting's what 'makes' this technique, for me anyway.

So again, the hexies were a mix of Kate Spain's Sunnyside and Cuzco - don't they go great together? And binding was also Carolyn Friedlander's Crosshatch, but this time in Tangerine. And it finished at 18"x22" - such a fun and manageable size to qualify as a quick project once you have your hexies ready to go.

So I think that'll be it for my little foray into modern hexies, at least for a while. I'll keep adding to my Modern Hexies Pinterest board, and who knows? I might be inspired to give them another go.

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday.

A Modern Hexie Encounter

From the first time I saw Nicole/Modern Handcraft's modern hexies, I thought they were amazing. Like truly beautiful and unusual and just so cool! But I thought to myself, "hexies really aren't my thing." I'd made them a time or two for special projects, but though I didn't mind basting them, I really didn't enjoy sewing them together.

But it came to pass that I wanted some handwork to take on our recent vacation, and well, I had just done an 'On Trend' feature on modern hexies in my newsletter, so they were on my mind. I had even started filling a Modern Hexies pinterest board for goodness sakes. So right before we left, I stopped and bought some pre-cut hexies, downsized a couple of stashed charm packs - Kate Spain's Sunnyside and Cuzco - and I was ready to go.

Miraculously, I managed to baste all the hexies I took with me - nearly 100. Mine were 1 1/2", slightly larger that the ones Nicole uses, because that's what my store had. And I did try the basting tutorial she suggested, one by Ellison Lane, which was new to me. (You don't sew through the paper, which is what I usually do. It seems to me it's just a matter of preference, but I was game to try.)

I ordered Aleene's Fabric Fusion while we were away, and I arrived home just before it did. So when I was ready to go for it, I just had to look up the Modern Hexies tutorial and decide on background fabric. I auditioned several solids and none of them did it for me, so I finally chose a light gray Timeless Treasures Sketch (maybe "mist"?). Because my hexies were rather large, there was no way they would all fit on the fat-quarter of fabric I had laid out. So after playing around with them some, I settled on a relatively cool palette with just 27 of the hexies.

Then came the sticky part. I mean the tutorial is perfection, the glue did just what it was supposed to do, but I must be glue-challenged. I left mid-glueing several times to wash my hands before continuing on, and I confess not long into the process I decided this technique wasn't for me.

 

But then! I quilted them, just like Nicole, and wouldn't you know but I fell in love. The quilting part was seriously fun and it just got better and better. And that night when I added the binding in Carolyn Friedlander's Crosshatch in Cadet, I was smitten. I still can't stop looking at it!!

My mini finished at 18"x22", and despite the glueing, I will be doing this again. Like I still have hexies left, and I ordered some finer tips for my glue bottle to see if that helps me, and Kate Spain herself commented on Instagram that my hexies were stunning! So yeah, I'll be doing this again. Stay tuned! And while you wait, try it yourself!

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday.

Those Modern Hexies

In my most recent issue of The Scrap Basket, I featured modern hexies, the brain-child of Nicole/Modern Handcraft. Well after perusing some examples of this clever technique, I was compelled to try it myself!

Starting the hand-stitching was a perfect travel project, and using Nicole's tutorial, I managed to baste all the hexies that I took with me - 80 or so, or 2 charm-packs worth. Rummaging through my stash at the last-minute before we left, I grabbed Kate Spain's Cuzco and Sunnyside. I had 1 1/2" hexies, so trimmed the charms to 4" square, though I probably should have gone a good half-inch smaller. I think with a good press, they'll be fine.

So I have some other w.i.p.s to face before going on to the next step, but I'm pleased I at least have my hexies all ready to go!

If you've tried modern hexies, leave a link in the comments! Linking up with WIP Wednesday.