I’m thrilled to be involved in this Old School BOM project!   It’s always so good to learn some basics for quilting, as well as something new!  Thanks to Kim for including me and giving me the opportunity to show you all something “old school” done in a new way. We'll be making an old school Hexie block with a fussy cut center.

When I started quilting one of the first quilts I wanted to make was a quilt with hexagon blocks.  I have an old quilt my Memaw made in the 30’s and it is one of my favorite antiques for sure. Generally, Hexagon quilts are made using traditional hand piecing or the English Paper Piecing method.  The English Paper Piecing method is what interested me.(EPP).This means the quilter has a hexagon shape made from thick paper.  It is positioned on the wrong side of the fabric and the seam allowances are folded over the paper and basted in place.  I tried to baste hexie after hexie but I just couldn’t hold that paper still enough to have a good shape in the end.  The paper would shift and move at each turn and before long, I had no seam allowance left to turn over the paper!  No matter which tricks I used, I could not do a good job!

Years later I was preparing some applique’ shapes using freezer paper and starch and it dawned on me that perhaps this would work for basting EPP shapes.  It worked like a charm, but after a while, I realized I needed some tools (notions) that were not available. My husband encouraged me to start designing what I needed and we now have a line of EPP and Applique' notions for Starch Basting. You'll find the notions in the Starch Basting section of the Notions page of this website.  I've got a few videos on my website that tell you all about the technique and notions, and shows you just how to use them. Just click on the video tab to see the videos.  After watching you'll be ready to begin the block. Try to watch the second video listed (from your PC or Android device) as it is the most recent. If you don't have a PC, you can watch the first video loaded. The rest are nice to watch too!

The basics of this technique are:

1-Make the hexie template from a double layer of freezer paper.

2-Cut fabric 1/4" larger on all sides of the hexie.

3-Iron the template to the wrong side of the fabric.

4-Paint the seam allowance with starch.

5-Fold the seam allowance onto the template and iron until dry with a mini iron.

6-Let the hexie cool and remove the template. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

7-Sew the hexies together...YAY!

All the supplies are available here on my website in the EPP Notions section from pre cut papers to the notions that help! 

When you finish getting educated on this method from the videos, download the PDF file HERE . Upon checkout completion a Purchase Confirmation box will pop up and you can get the download DIRECTLY FROM THIS BOX. That's the easiest way to find the link.  It will also be emailed to you.