Flannel Elephant Hexagon Baby Quilt

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Total of seven different fabrics for hexagons - For prints to be fussy cut 1/2yd, for solids 3/8yd - prints in the picture example were quilt cottons, the solids were flannel
• 1 1/3yd backing fabric - flannel
• 3/8yd binding fabric - flannel
• Crib size batting
• Rotary cutter, ruler and mat
• Hexagon template - 5 1/2" cut size, 5" finished size
• Optional - 6"x 6" or other smaller size rotary cutter ruler
• Quilter’s curved safety pins
• Invisible thread for quilting
• All purpose thread to match backing
• Water erasable marker
• Basic sewing supplies
• Sewing machine with 1/4" foot and walking foot
• Iron and pressing surface

DIRECTIONS:

1. Finished size - approximately 36"x 46"


2. Place the hexagon template on the back side of one of the hexagon fabrics and center it over a design if the fabric is printed. Note: Hold the hexagon so the sides are vertical and the top and bottom form a point then place it on the fabric for the fuzzy cut.


3. Draw around the hexagon with the fabric marker. Allow at least an inch from the first hexagon and draw a second hexagon on the fabric. Draw a total of ten.


4. Using the smaller rotary cutter ruler line up the 1/4" line on the ruler with a line on one side of the hexagon. Cut along the edge of the ruler this step adds a 1/4" seam allowance beyond the outside of the hexagon. Cut all six sides of the hexagon adding the 1/4" all around. Repeat for the remaining nine hexagons drawn on the fabric.


5. Mark and cut ten hexagons out of each of the seven hexagon fabrics.


6. On a large work surface lay one of each of the seven fabric hexagons out in a horizontal row with the vertical sides of the hexagons touching each other. Arrange the next row of one hexagon of each fabric above or below the first row nestling the hexagon points in the valley of the previous row so the rows are offset. Mix up the location of the prints so the same print is not beside itself. Line up the third row in the same manner but be sure the row that is offset from the previous row is lined up with the first row. The rows will alternate. Repeat for all ten rows. On the back of the first hexagon on the left of each row number the rows one through 10 to keep it organized.


7. Thread the sewing machine with all-purpose thread, set it to a normal straight stitch length and add the 1/4" foot.


8. Pick up the first two hexagons in a row and line them up right sides together and the drawn lines of one side matching up. Place a straight pin at the ends of the line, at the point and poke it through both fabric layers to be sure the lines are accurately matched up. Sew the seam, back stitching at the beginning and end of each sewn line. Add the third hexagon to the first two and sew together in the same manner. Sew all seven together across the row. Press the seams open and put the sewn strip back in place with the other unsewn hexagon rows. Sew the hexagons in the second row in the same manner, press and put back in line. Repeat sewing and pressing all 10 rows.


9. To sew the rows together sew the point seams and valley seams together, one seam at a time starting with rows one and two. After the entire row is sewn together press the seams open. Sew rows three and four together and continue in the same manner pairing up the rest of the rows. Sew the pairs together forming the entire quilt top. Press the pieced top.


10. Trim all four sides of the quilt top making straight sides, you will be trimming off half of a hexagon on every other row.


11. Layer the backing face down, batting and quilt top facing up. Pin the layers together securely.


12. Quilt as desired using the invisible thread in the top and all-purpose thread in the bobbin.


13. Trim the quilt edges.


14. Cut the binding fabric into five 2 1/2"x WOF strips. Sew the ends together forming one long strip, fold in half lengthwise right sides out and press. Bind the quilt.