Place the paper shape on the wrong side of the fabric (pin in place if needed). Cut the fabric patch at least ¼ inch (6–7 mm) larger than the paper using good scissors. It’s important to have enough fabric excess to easily cover the paper shape all the way around—this is your seam allowance. Don’t make your life harder than necessary! Some quilters recommend cutting fabric squares when using hexagon shapes; although I haven’t tried this myself, it seems like a great idea.
Fold over the seam allowance along one edge of the paper. Stitch through all layers with large basting stitches (¼ inch / 6–7 mm or bigger) along the folded edge.
At each corner, fold over the next fabric edge, hold it in place, and stitch over the fold to secure it (no backstitching needed).
Continue in this way all around the paper shape. Most right-handed quilters find it easiest to work anti-clockwise. Finish off with an extra basting stitch in the same direction and snip off the thread.
To sew two hexagons together, place the shapes right sides together and overcast them with small whip stitches, catching just the edges of both pieces. About 6–10 stitches per inch (around one every 2 mm) is ideal.
The hexagons in the images below were made using the faster no-basting method. Check it out in the “How To” list—it’s really simple!
At the end of the seam, either add another hexagon and continue sewing, or to finish off, make 2–3 backstitches, then secure the thread by weaving a few tiny stitches through the seam allowance before trimming the thread.
Once patches have been added all around a paper shape, the basting stitches can be removed. Simply snip the basting thread in two places, grab the ends, and pull them out. To remove the paper shape, pinch it gently in the middle and pull it out carefully. Although the papers may look a bit worn, they can be smoothed and reused unless torn.