Category Archives: Antique Quilts

Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired

Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired

Hello Dear Friends and Readers and a warm welcome to today’s post. I mentioned when I posted the Hexagons from Circles post that I thought I had found my next hand piecing project and indeed I think I have! so I would love to share that with you today.

Let’s be very clear, I know I do not need to start a new project, however, I do find that having something small to work with the hands is not only creative, a good use of spare time, for example when travelling or waiting for appointments, it can also be a comfort.

Besides that, my friend Elle Millbank, sent me some really beautiful scraps from her collections and many of them appear to be beautiful reproduction prints. Thank you Ellie for the beautiful fabrics! They are in layer cake squares which I sorted through. I have pondered over these for some time and wondered what would I make? After trying the hexagons from circles, I thought, this is the one.

In my mind I am thinking about beautiful antique English quilts which often feature Hexagons exclusively in those quilts, or they may become part of the design in medallion style or even be used to appliqué onto parts of a quilt or in borders of flowers or diamonds.

The good news is, that these make up pretty quickly, once you get the hang of it. after the circles have been cut, I can sew up each hexagon in less than two minutes. The flower takes longer of course!

This is what I have done so far. I decided to use a 3″ circle to make my hexagons which are a scant 1″.

The Hexagon Flower Antique Inspired measures approximately 4 ½” across.

I would like to take a moment to say, as always I have prewashed my fabrics. I understand this is a personal choice… but here are my reasons. To Wash or Not to Wash?….This is the Question

Method for Cutting the Circles for the Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired

Because I am working from scraps and layer cake squares, using the 3″ template makes sense as I can cut 9 circles from each layer cake. If this method does not appeal of course you can purchase a circle ruler as recommended to me by both Ellie and Tammy.

I fold each layer cake square into three. Then draw around my template. Pin and move across to draw three circles. I then cut with small scissors around each circle then remove the pins. That makes 9 circles quite quickly. It doesn’t take long to make a stack.

Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired susies-scraps.com
Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired susies-scraps.com

Sewing the Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired

I have opted to make these flowers scrappy. Three different fabrics are used for each hexagon.

I am using one for the centre then alternating two other prints around the centre hexagon.

Using a small whip stitch, sew three prints alternating around each side of the centre hexagon.

Then put the other three hexagons in between the gaps.

Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired susies-scraps.com

Then put the other three hexagons in between the gaps.

Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired susies-scraps.com
Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired susies-scraps.com
Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired susies-scraps.com
Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired susies-scraps.com

Here is what I have done so far. These are pretty addictive and great for sewing in small gaps of time. I hope that was helpful.

Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired susies-scraps.com
Hexagon Flowers Antique Inspired susies-scraps.com

Please feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments.

When my collection of these has expanded sufficiently I will give an update on the next step.

Happy stitching.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like,

Grandmother’s Flower Garden Quilt Like Grandma Used to Make

All In Hand – Lessons In Hand Quilting

Hexagons from Circles

© Susan Stuklis 2024