Island Batik “Try It” June Challenge
June Island Batik Challenge, “Try It”
Photo heavy post.
This months challenge is to try a new technique, any size using Island Batik fabrics. After debating between a stippit mini and a hexi mini, I chose to make a hexi pillow.
Instead of hand stitching I would use soluble stabilizer by Ricky Tim’s for my templates, fold the seam allowance and fuse to a light weight fusible stabilizer. Next i would stitch the fused hexies to a background fabric.
Scrrreech!!
I was a sticky mess. The lengths I will go through to avoid hand stitching. After using a glue stick and a half I still did not have all the seam allowances folded over the templates. AND it was taking entirely too long to accomplish.
Glad to say I did not begin again, instead I modified my original plan and it worked beautifully. It worked so well that I may attempt to make an entire quilt using this method.
Supplies
Island Batik Stash Builder strips left from The Escape quilt. . Island Batik gray solid as my foundation.
Elmers glue stick
Aurifil 40wt and 50wt thread
Ricky Tim’s soluble stabilizer sheets
Lightweight fusible stabilizer. (not sure of the brand)
AccuQuilt 2.5″ strip die (optional)
Now for the photos.
I had enough Hobbs Tuscany Collection Silk Blend batting to quilt the pillow top. This batting really defines the quilting when used without the added bulk of stabilizers.
What I learned
After all this, you really don’t need that additional stabilizer on the rear of your background fabric. If I were making a quilt following this method I glue baste the hexies together as I did above, then stitch them together before quilting. I’ll be exploring this method further until I am fully happy with the process.
Check out my pattern page for a FREE download of my paper pieced (not EPP) hexi quilt pattern. Its a great scrap buster. You could also use the included templates if you’d like to give this method a try.
See what others are working on and drop in Thursday for my Linky Party
Disclaimer
Beautiful pillow! I wouldn’t have liked the glue mess either. Not sure how I would do them without glue though. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss!
Thank you Jennifer
Wow Denise, this is a great idea. I have tried a few non-hand pieced hexie methods, but was never convinced that I could make them work for me. This looks promising though – I love any shortcut that involves Elmer’s glue! 🙂
LOL me too, esp if it doesn’t involve hand sewing.
So interesting to read this. I’ve tried EPP with batics, and that was really difficult and hard for my fingers. This must be better, at least when you have some experience.
Eventually I will figure out a good technique that doesn’t requiring practice or mastering. Thank you for stopping by and linking up with me again this week.
Great idea to cover the ironing board with freezer. I’ll remember that tip next time I’m working with fusible. I happen to like hand sewing so not likely to try this method. Glad you persevered — your pillow is very pretty!
Thank you. The freezer paper is great when you are messy with glue. I’ve not tried it with fusible but its an idea I will keep in mind.
I am so glad for these challenges, I would not normally try things. This turned out really really good.
Me too. So far I have made 2 new to me projects and I’m happy with both.
I never would have thought to use soluble stabilizer for my hexies – what a great idea! I enjoy hand stitching them, but stitching them together is the road block for me. I like that you placed yours then stitched them down without stitching them together. I’ve got some hexies made, I’m going to have to do some experimenting. Thanks for sharing on Main Crush Monday, and thanks for the inspiration!
You’re welcome.I no longer have the finger strength to sit and sew by hand, not even a 1″ seam repair. My fingers lock up, the needles are too small, not enough bright light and no bifocals to make it all possible, lol.I’m going to experiment more with this method. Perhaps next I’ll try the finger pressing then fusing them down which would save a lot of time. But, I would then have to zigzag instead of the straight stitch.
What an interesting method! Ironing freezer paper onto your ironing board to protect the cover from glue/starch/whatever is total genius. Do the Ricky Tims stabilizer sheets come in sizes that fit right in your printer tray, or do you have to manual feed them? Great looking pillow and yes, this would be a fabulous way to use up those precious little scraps that I just can’t bear to toss!
Printer size sheets, https://www.rickytims.com/online-store/notions/ricky-tims-stable-stuff-poly-50-sheets-8-5×11. Both of my printers are Canon and they feed through themselves, never had any issues. I LOVE them. As for the freezer paper, it is a mess saver. My ironing boards are drywall covered with left over batting and a denim/canvas cotton. I remove the cover to launder but if I know I’ll be using something that will create a mess I always use freezer paper on my work table. If I am starching I use the ironing board under my cutting mat.
Interesting way of doing them. I did some two ways last year, and liked doing them by machine, although I do love my hand work when I have time. I do like the glue method of basting for either!
I think I could knock a lap size in an afternoon, gluing. The stitching took some time but it was worth it and worth giving another try. Perhaps I’ll simplify it more.
I love hand stitching, but sometimes a quick project like hexies doesn’t require that! I’m impressed that you took all that time to make the 1/4″ seams for each hexie! That in itself is a lot of work!
It actually went pretty quick once I moved away from gluing the seams down first.I’m going to make a lap size quilt following this method, when I have time and a stack of scraps.
Hi Denise! Wow that is a LOT of work for one pillow. I take it you are not a fan of hand stitching?! I have some plastic hexi templates somewhere (safe) that I started using years ago. I never finished that project so somewhere there are hexies, templates and fabric sitting together. I seriously doubt it will ever be complete now. I love how your pillow turned out! All those fabrics play together so nicely. ~smile~ Roseanne
Thanks Roseanne. Not a fan of hand sewing no and I also dont have the finger strength anymore. Once I got past the initial glue everything down it went pretty quick. I’m still thinking of ways to make these again.