Having fun with Hexies! Did you know that you can cut many shapes with Hex-a-ma-jig and Hex-a-ma-jig Jr.? Yes, you can with these amazing tools. The shape of the tools are half hexagons, shape #1. Then you can use the diagonal lines to cut triangles, shape #2. The straight lines across the tools are used to cut end pieces to finish rows with a straight end rather than the angle, shape #3. By using the “Place on Fold” line on the longest edge, you can cut full hexies and diamonds, shapes #4 and #5. And a BIG BONUS, as discussed last week, you can make “partial half hexies” instead of sewing together triangle and diamonds to create baby blocks, shape #6 and #7 (since there are different orientations). Those are the basic shapes and can be combined is many different ways to create hexie quilts.

Tip #1 – Many tools have more than one purpose and can cut more than one shape!

An “ah ha” moment happened when I need to cut diamonds for the Winter Tree-Land trees I designed last year. Diamonds can be cut from a strip rather than using the “place on fold” line on the tool on a folded piece of fabric. It saves fabric! Use the photo below to see the placement on the Hex-a-ma-jig Jr. tool on a 2 1/2″ strip. If using Hex-a-ma-jig you can do the same on a 3 1/2″ wide strip.

The photos show Hex-a-ma-jig Jr. on a 2 1/2″ strip. One side of the tool is lined up on the top edge of the fabric strip. The bottom edge of the strip is 1/4″ below the seam line A on the tool.

Tip #2 – Cut diamonds from strips using my Hex-a-ma-jig and Hex-a-ma-jig Jr.

Bonus Tip – The funky clear shapes on the tool are “True Grips” non-slip adhesives. The entire sheet of the adhesive grip dots can be used. These funky clear adhesive shapes on my tool are the cut from the area around the grip dots.

Enjoy cutting hexie shapes! Look for Hex-a-ma-jig and Hex-a-ma-jig Jr. HERE on my website.

in quilting,

Debbie