Hexagon Star, pattern by Kaye Wood
Our first day in our winter location, Summerdale, Alabama and I couldn’t wait to get back to my quilting projects. I was busy doing laundry, putting things in their places and yes, greeting old friends all day so it wasn’t until this evening that I was able to play with my fabrics.
I decided to complete two placemats. At least that’s what I’m calling them and using them for. They could be table toppers, or even mug rugs if you make them with fewer borders. I guess they could even be wallhangings. My finished placemat measures about 15″ from one point to the opposite point.
Hexagon Stars is a pattern designed by Kaye Wood and presented in Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting back in 2006. Kaye Wood has created a number of unique templates for her designs. I do have one of her templates as I took a class with her during a quilt expo one year, quite a few years ago. We happened to be traveling through Louisville, KY and I saw a big bulletin announcing the Sewing and Quilting Exposition (I think that was the name). Anyway, my hubby dropped me off the next day at the expo and I went in, ended up signing up for two classes and got a look at a lot of beautiful sewing and quilting projects. Now that’s an example of just being in the right place at the right time. I had no idea prior to seeing that bulletin that there was something so great anywhere around there that day.
If you ever get a chance to take a Kay Wood seminar, or better yet go on a Kaye Wood quilt cruise, GO! She is so much fun and a talented quilter. Her website is www.kayewood.com. I took a Kay Wood class at that Expo and bought one of her templates, for making triangles. I didn’t buy the pattern for the design she presented that day and I have to tell you, I’ve never used that template though I have every intention of using it…..someda
When I saw this Hexagon Star back in 2006, I was hoping it used the template I had but of course it did not. However, I was able to make a template from the magazine’s direction. I’m thinking that if you want to make one, you could draw it out if I tell you the dimensions. Each edge of the hexagon template measures 3 3/4″. The diameter of the template is 9 1/4″. It’s a hexagon, so there are six sides to complete the hexagon center motif. Try drawing 9 1/4″ circle, then drawing the 3 3/4″ lines within the circle circumference. I do think it will work.
Tracing around the template, I chose where to center my motif. I used a quilting fabric for one, and a tractor fabric for the other. These are to be used on my own table for DH and myself so I don’t really care if they match. They don’t! DH is very interested in antique tractors and actually owns a 1950 Allis Chalmers WD which is currently in pieces and is his winter project. He expects to have it up and running by Spring. So, the motif for his is a close replica of an Allis Chalmers tractor found on some great fabric I found at Keepsake Quilting.
When DH saw the tractor fabric, he told me if I had “any left over” I could make a panel of the various tractors to hang in the “Tractor Shed” where he and his buddy work on their tractors through the winter months. Little does he know I have a PLAN for that fabric and he’s not seeing it for a while. When I do it, you’ll get to see it too.
Here’s my quilting fabric motif.
Can I tell you how lucky I am that Keepsake Qulting is halfway between the park in Vermont where we volunteer all summer and our son’s house in Maine? It’s in Center Harbor, New Hampshire. I often stop to see what’s new and if there’s anything I can’t live without. I have never left there empty-handed! Have y0u ever been there or received their catalog? If you can’t get there in person, you should visit them online and order their free catalog. www.keepsakequilting.com
So, above you’ve seen Step 1 of each placemat. Cut out the hexagon using the template, fussy-cutting so that your desired motif is centered. Be sure you cut around the outside edge of the hexagon template, not the inner like I did when I first started.
Step 2 is cutting out the strip that make up the border. You need 4 3/4″ strips. For one border, you will cut 6 (4 3/4″) strips. You can determine how many borders you want, depending on what your end product will be. I used three and the finished size is approximately 15″.
From the strips, measure and cut 4 3/4" strips
Step 3. From the width of material strips, you will measure and cut 4 3/4″ strips. This creates a 4 3/4″ square which is then folded in half and pressed.
Step 4. Then fold each segment into a triangle by bringing the outside corners from the fold down to the center bottom. Press again.
Making the triangles
Step 5. Once I made all the triangles, I centered and pinned each triangle to each side of the hexagon like this.
Placing the triangles to form the star
Step 6. The directions indicated to baste the raw edges of the triangles and hexagon together. This is an excellent idea as everything stayed right where it should when I did the next step. I basted with a needle and thread because I wanted to sit outside in the last of the evening light but you baste by machine if you prefer.
Step 7. Once the basting is done, you will be ready for your strips. Border strips are 1 3/4″ wide. Cut at least two strips from each fabric you plan to use. It takes more than it seems. I had to go back and cut an extra strip of two of my fabrics.
Strips for the Quilter placemat
Step 8. Add the first border to every other side of the hexagon, that would be three sides.
Stitching border #1 around three sides of the hexagon star.
Step 9. Press the seam allowance toward the border strips and trim the strips with the edge of the hexagon.
First three sections of Border #1 attached and pressed.
Step 10. Trim the excess strips so that the border strips are even with the hexagon edges, as shown above.
Step 11. Continue adding the remaining three sections of border #1. Press and trim.
Trimming the border strips even with the hexagon edges.
Border #1 finished all around.
Final trim on the Tractor hexagon star, border #1
Continue adding as many borders as you wish to achieve the size you are wanting. Add three sides, alternating sides; then add the last three sides. Trim, press and continue.
Final step: Once you have the size hexagon star you want, cut a backing for the hexagon about 3/4″ larger around then the hexagon. I just laid the hexagon star on top of the background fabric and cut it freehand, estimating the 3/4″.
Adding the backing
Once you have done this, you simply place the backing wrong side up and center the quilt top (hexagon star) right side up on top of the backing. Fold 1 edge of the backing up and line it up with the edge of the quilt top. Repeat all the way around the hexagon. Fold and press as you go around the hexagon. Then fold again and pin in place.
Folding and pinning
Lastly, topstitich this final edge using either a straight or decorative stitch. Here’s the finished Quilter’s Hexagon Star.
Finished Hexagon Star
Final Close-up of the edge
I hope I didn’t confuse anyone by working on the two placemats at the same time. I just wanted them both finished at the same time so I snapped shots of both, rather than just one.
This hexagon star is easily done and is a great way to showcase a special fabric fussycut inside the star. I hope you enjoyed it and if you have a Kaye Wood hexagon template, this was an especially easy project for you. Will you be making one?
On The Go Quilting 