Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I drank the Kool-aid


So I'm going to be on an airplane for an insane 4.5hrs/change planes/6hours. Sure those hours will fly me from my flat midwest home to paradise at the end, but that doesn't mean I have to like them.

I will have and iPod with audio books for Kenton. Caleb and Becket will both like watching movies on the netbook. I also plan on making Becket a little carry-along craft packet. I'm probably delusional that I'll get to do something other than exhaustive preschooler entertainment for ten hours, but then that's what the kool aid does to you.

I downloaded the most awesome Fat Quarterly today....
And now I'm planning on stocking up to make a ton of these...
{pillow pattern in Fat Quarterly by Tacha}



Paper Pieced Hexagons.... Which I know are insanely addictive, I have seen the warnings all over the place.

Tell me, what do I need to know? Best size? paper template material?

18 comments:

Purple Quilter Queen said...

So where ya goin'???

Audrie said...

I actually haven't done any hexes yet... saving them for when I make a trip to Singapore or Australia to visit family and won't have a machine.

They do sell hex templates already cut for you, or you can use freezer paper if you'd prefer to cut them out yourself.

Jennie said...

http://www.paperpieces.com/ they sell die-cut cardstock shapes all ready for you! And they are in Sycamore so I'm sure it wouldn't take too long to get them to you.
~ Jennie

Doris said...

Buy the pre-cut paper templates... totally worth it! I like the one-inch ones...

Kris said...

How exciting that your trip is coming up so soon!! I also want to give hexes a try! Let me know how it goes

Alyson said...

I've started with the die cut ones and it was fun. I could only find small ones though. My hands actually started to ache after a while! I brought those and a charm pack on my road trip to Detroit and it kept me busy for quite a while! Have a great trip!

Karen from Sew Many Ways... said...

Hi Angela,
Have fun on your trip. I always bring hexies with me. Pop over to my blog...I have an english paper piecing tutorial under my labels. The way I do them, there are no threads to pull out in the end saving you lots of time. I also have an organizing post on how to carry them on the go. I use freezer paper for my templates. If you have any questions on my tutorial please email me!
Have fun with them,
~Karen~

Little Lady Patchwork said...

Ok Angela,

I have been trying to resist buying the FQ ezine, but now I am going to dring the Kool-Aid also! I am sure that I won't be disappointed.

BTW-Must buy the precuts. They are a life saver!

Laura said...

You are a brave woman to start on the road to hexagons!

Stephanie said...

I'm hoping to hop on the hexie train soon. That pillow is gorgeous! Can't wait to hear how you like making them and your tips of course. So when do you leave for your trip?

Fat Quarterly Team said...

Thanks Angela for your support and I can't wait to see your version of Tach's pillow x

Meghan said...

Melanie at Texas Freckles is leading a charmed hexagon quilt along. She's piecing more than 1,000 litte hexes, and she has some truly great information on templates, basting, etc.

I'm in the process of collecting scraps to try hexagons, too :)

Katy said...

Ah, another who has taken a drink from the Kool-Aid jug! Very addictive...be ready for hexie haven! Can't tell you how many I've made so far, have a start of a quilt made, so I'd have to say...tons!

Where you off to??

Always,
Katy

Dee said...

You know, if you let me come with y'all, I can entertain the kids for you! I'm reeeeeallllly good at that. You can shopping by yourself while I take them hiking Mount Wannahawkaloogie!

Rebekah said...

Have a fabulous trip!

No advice on the paper piecing other than good luck :)

Kritta22 said...

I've done hexes for Tacha in our bee! Sooo intimidating but not too bad once you start!

BTW I'm co-hosting a block swap/exchange and was hoping you would be interested. Check out the details here:

http://misserincrafts.blogspot.com/2010/04/you-are-invited.html

Kirsten and Tracy said...

I recommend freezer paper! Then you can iron it on and you don't have to worry about things shifting on you. If you have access to a cricut machine, you could cut the freezer paper on that. Saves your hands and keeps the pieces exactly the same!
Kirsten

Fat Quarterly Team said...

I can't wait to see how you get on! They are easy once you get started. If you print out the templates in the magazine they seem to be coming out a little on the small side. We have uploaded a link to correct sized templates on the blog.

1 inch or 0.75" hexes are a good size to start with.

Have fun and thanks for getting FQ!

Tacha