Hexa Go-Go Tutorial + Giveaway
Tacha Bruecher of Hanies is one of the founding sewists behind Fat Quarterly. She joined us on the blog before with her popular Stepping Stones Block pattern and she’s been hard at work on her new book, Hexa Go-Go!
Hexa Go-Go features English paper-pieced hexagons in 16 projects, all perfect for busy, modern quilters. You can take these portable pieces on the go and then combine them into quilts or small projects like today’s tutorial from Tacha for a key fob (or key holder).
Win a copy of Hexa Go-Go! (US winners receive a book, international winners receive an e-book copy.) Comment below for your chance to win, and be sure to visit other stops on Tacha’s tour for fun tutorials, giveaways, book reviews and more:
8/24 Cabbage Quilts
8/27 Lilys Quilts
8/29 Ellison Lane
8/31 Cut to Pieces
9/3 In Color Order
9/5 A quilt is nice
9/7 Moda Lissa
9/10 The Last Piece
9/12 Michele Made Me
9/14 Fat Quarter Shop
9/17 Comfort Stitching
9/19 Quiltdad
9/21 Oh, Fransson!
I hope you are enjoying the Hexa Go-Go book tour so far! Thank you so much to Sew,Mama,Sew! for taking part and for you taking time to find out more about me and my book.
My name is Tacha Bruecher and I am addicted to English paper piecing and in particular to hexagons! I am usually to be found with some kind of pouch stuffed to the brim with templates, thread and scraps of fabric waiting to be stitched together. If I am not EPP’ing, I can be found at Fat Quarterly or doing the laundry and looking after my family! My eldest daughter, Amelie, has just started school and this has meant big changes in our daily routine, the worst of which is getting up at the crack of dawn!
Since the school is over the other side of our neighborhood we decided that instead of using the car every day, we would cycle to school. Amelie is absolutely loving the bike ride and the start of school but the one thing she has been worrying about is the responsibility of looking after the key to her bicycle lock. She is convinced she will lose it.
I thought the best way to alleviate her fears was to make her a fun key fob which she could attach to the inside of her school bag so that she would no longer worry about the key! And of course what is cuter than a few little hexagons!
What you will need:
- 1“ key fob
- 6 hexagon templates ¾”
- 6 scraps 2” square
Preparation:
You can either purchase or make the templates for English paper piecing. I used my Sizzix Big Shot machine together with a ¾” hexagon die.
To cut the fabric you could use the 1” or 1 ¼” Sizzix hexagon dies. The 1” die will give you hexagons with a seam allowance of slightly under ¼” and the 1 ¼” die will give you hexagons with slightly over ¼” seam allowance.
However, for the key fob I wanted to fussy cut my fabric scraps so I cut the fabric by hand.
Instructions:
Baste the 2” squares to the hexagon templates. There are a number of methods for doing this so choose your favorite. I outline a couple of methods in the book.
Arrange in two columns of 3 hexagons. Sew each of these columns together.
Place the two columns right side facing and stitch together along the top.
Slip the key fob onto the column and hold in place where the two columns are joined.
Stitch the columns together, right sides facing, along the bottom and all the way along one side stopping just one edge before the top.
Press well. Remove the basting stitches and papers and turn right side out. Use a chopstick to push out each of the corners. Press again.
Whipstitch the remaining edges closed.
193 Responses to “Hexa Go-Go Tutorial + Giveaway”
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What a beautiful quilt! Love the hexies, love the borders. Well done!
I love the key fob – what a great idea!
I love the hexagon rainbow quilt you posted! What a fun book to win!
That key chain is so cute! I’ve been wanting to try EPP and that might be the perfect small project to start with. Thanks!
The book looks amazing and I had no idea you could die-cut the hexagons! So Cute! Thanks!
Happy Sewing,
Michelle
sewingrocks.blogspot.com
Looks like a great book! I love making hexies!!
Love it! I have a container of loose hexies just waiting for a project and this will take care of a few of them.
I have always been intimidated by hexagons…..this project makes it look so easy! I might just have to try some this afternoon!!
Hexies are on my bucket list – ’bout time I got started on them!
Would love to receive this hexi book. I taught myself paper pieced hexi’s this summer and would love to further my instruction with this lovely theme. Thank you!!
Paper piecing scares me, but I have always liked the look of hexagon projects… maybe this book will alleviate my fear!
What a great key fob! I also adore the hexie block quilt. I just discovered EPP and am an addict!
Thanks for the chance. Looks like a fun book.
I live quilt , and want to win a copy of the book
have fun
The key hanger is absolutely adorable! Would love to win a copy of the book!
I recently discovered the joys of English Paper Piecing, and am in love!! I really want Hexa Go Go!
So cute. This looks like the perfect little project to get me over my fear of hexagons.
What a cute keychain. Thanks for the chance to win the book.
that’s so cute! thanks for the project!
love the hexie ideas!!!! more than a “plain” quilt top…..lol
will NEED this book for sure!!!!
Thanks for the opportunity!
super cute key fob!!
Hexi’s are my fave shape. I have a ruler for them and paper pieces for them and the sizes range from 1/2 inch to six inches. Yay for hexi’s.
Thanks for the chance! Cute tutorial.
How cute!! I’m going to have to make some for gifts…
How cool!!!
Cute tutorial. Thanks for the giveaway. I really want this book.
Cute! I think I’ll make one today.
Oh, this little key fob is so cute ~ thanks for the tutorial!
What a cute project! I am becoming addicted to hexies too– this book would be wonderful to win. Thanks for a chance.
I have always loved hexagons & can’t wait to see some of the other projects in the book!!
I love the hexies! I have only done a little bit of EPP, but would love to try more. Thanks for the giveaway!
have seen some reviews of the book and it sounds amazing!
The first quilt picture made me smile. What a delight. Thanks for sharing this book and the tutorial. I have been exploring the machine stich hexagon methods so this book just increased my interest in both hand and machine stiched hexagons.
Super cute key chain. I will be whipping some of these as gifts!
Great giveaway! Fingers crossed I win
What a cute Key fob that would be a great way to color code your sets of keys without having to use labels on them that always seem to wear off.
I love, love, love hexigons! I made a grandmother’s garden quilt and enjoyed every minute of it! Would reallllly love to have a copy of this great book!
hugs,
Cheri
Wow, these are just so cute! Definitely going to try
. Seems like a fun book to own!!
Wow! Great looking book & tutorial. I’d love to win an ebook and learn more about this technique.
I started making 3/4″ hexies this summer & now have a few hundred…but I don’t know what to do with them!!!
So cute and simple
I’m falling in love with hexagons again, so this book is super timely! Thanks for the tutorial!
That’s really cute. Though I’m desperately in love with your chromatic hexagon quilt up above!
Cute key fob! I am a little obsessed with hexagons right now. I can’t wait to get this book!
The key fob is so cute! I just started my first hexagon project and looking for some more ideas to use all of these hexagons up!
Super cute fob – I am going to make some for stocking stuffers!!
I already have about 6 key rings on my keys, one more can’t hurt! Would love some more ideas for english paper piecing!
I love hex with all my heart. Thanks for sharing the tutorial!
So cute! I’m a hexagon freak… can’t seem to get enough of them in any type of medium. Thanks for the give-away!! I hope I get the book!
What a cute keychain! I’d love to win this book. I’ve never worked with hexagons before.
Oooh, I would so love to have this book! Just got my first 1″ hexie paper pieces in the mail, but now I have to figure out how to make them! The book would do the trick right now.
I’m a little confused about learning to make the hexies at the moment. Have been investigating on line and can’t figure out whether it is best to stitch through the papers or not….? Thanks for the chance to win such a great book!
What a great project idea!
What a cute key fob!
That’s really cute!! I’ve just started a hexi quilt… so much fun!
Thanks for the fun project. I have a lot of hexies and would love to win a copy of this book to get some more ideas for my own hexa-go-go projects.
Love the hexie key fob. I am going to try that one. Thanks!
ohh I needed an excuse to cut some hexis
What a great looking book. i would love to win it. Thanks!
Love the rainbow hexie quilt. I’ve not tried EPP but want to give it a go
This book looks great – can’t wait to see it in my LQS.
thanks for the chance, gorgeous quilt!
Oh, my! That book is right up my alley!
Great ideas! I’d love to read the book!
I have some vintage hexies that I’d love to use in a project. This book would probably give me some great inspiration.
Thanks for the chance!!
My favorite blocks have always been anything with hexagons. My dream quilt to make is Grandmother’s Flower Garden. This would be a great book to use to practice smaller projects before moving on the the big one!
Adorable key fob! Would love to win the book & try a new project!
Cute idea! Gotta love hexies!
I’ve been wanting to try hexies! Love the keychain!
am loving this book blog hop … love the hexies and enjoying the projects!
How cute!! I would love this book!
I love the idea of a hexagon key fob. Thanks for the tutorial. I’ll have to give one of those a go!
What a great little key fob! It will make a good carry along project, quick and easy.
My MIL loves making quilts with hexagons. I think I would,too!
nice!!
id love to win
thank you
Oh was a wonderful project. Thanks for sharing. I just recently discovered the fun of English Paper Piecing.
Cute project and great book. Connecting Threads has free english paper piecing templates available for download in their pattern section.
What a great intro to making some hexies. Small and practical.
I would love the chance to win a copy of that book. I have never tried hexies.
That key chain is just the cutest thing ever…love it! Can’t wait to see this book!
I would so love to win this book!!
Great book idea…I’ve been wanting to try my hand at hexies, but haven’t been sure what to DO with them, since I’m not brave enough to tackle a full quilt!
Wow! I would love to be able to make a ‘hexy’ quilt! Thanks for the opportunity!
Great hexie projects. The key fob is so cute.
I’ve never done hexagons before, but they always look awesome!
Looks like a great book!
Hexies are little bundles of textile wonderment!
What a creative project. Wonderful idea for teacher gifts.
that little key fob is adorable – I’d love to win this book – it looks fabulous
How fun is that??
What a great tutorial and giveaway! I love Hexies and would love a copy of this book!
I have just started doing epp – Love it! Your book looks really great. Hope I win.
Very cute key fob, and useful too.
A great project for scraps!
Deborah
homemakerhoney @gmail .com
really cute!
That quilt is super cool. I’m sure the book is brimming with awesome projects!
looks like fun.
I’m a hexagon junkie, hexagons in any form, not just EPP. Thanks for the tutorial, Tacha. And, thanks for the giveaway, Beth. This book is on my wish list!
I just started making hexies this week. This key fob is adorable.
What a great idea for hexagons! And a give-away is always fun, thanks!
I’ve been excited about this book since I first heard it was coming out. Can’t wait to see it in person.
Love the rainbow quilt. And the hex fob looks like a fun project.
Thanks
I’m definitely going to try this!
Love hexies! Great little project…thanks for sharing it with us!
I have been eyeing this book! I’m ready to get my hexie on!
What a cool gift idea! And not so hard a project for someone who has never made a Hexie! Sooooo love them, and want to learn!
Thanks for sharing! and for chance to win the book!
Would love to win an ebook of this lovely book. I have never worked with hexies before, I would love to learn too!
Thank you for the tutorial and for the giveaway of such a great book!
I love the rainbow quilt and the sweet hexie keychain fob! thanks!!
Love hexagons, English paper piecing, and I also have a Sizzix! I think I’ll have to make a couple(dozen) key fobs! Thanks!
I’ve wanted to learn how to make hexagons so winning this book would be fun.
thank you for the opportunity.
michelle
I adore the quilt and have always had a weakness for hexes!
I love the way you combine the traditional hexy block into modern looking work. Paper piecing is so easy to take along.
Thanks!
What lovely projects – and love your fabric choices. Thanks for the chance!
A hexies key fob! So creative:)
Looks like a very interesting book. I always wanted to try EPP.
That’s a cute project – she’s one awesome lady.
What a sweet little tutorial!
Oh man I love EPP too. I love the peacefulness of hand piecing. What I am not so keen on is hand quilting. I just can’t seem to get the hang of the hand quilting stitch. I need to machine quilt my pieces. I am learning that from my first big queen size quilt that I am currently hand quilting, and trying desperately to finish the quilting on, so I can move on to another project. The ones you have shown in this preview, aren’t helping my desperation to FINISH!!
Fun project! I just started making hexies and I’m addicted!
I love the colors in the cover photo!
What a gorgeous way to use hexagons. Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial. I think my keys need a new keychain!!!
I love this idea. Great stocking stuffer ideas.
This would be a great project to learn! So cute!
What a great book – I can’t wait to get a copy for my library!
Cute project.
I am going to try this. You made it look so easy! Thanks!
oh my goodness that quilt is to die for! and the near-instant-gratification fob is too cute!
I haven’t worked w/hexies before, I love how they look
What great projects!
What a cute key chain! I’ve never tried EPP but would love to try it out. Looks like a great book for newbies
I am on quite the hexy kick right now, so I would love to have a copy of this book! Thanks for the great project and for the chance to win!
What a great way to start hexi’s i love a fussy cut key fob!
love the hexi fob!
I love the key fob, so adorable! Thanks for the tutorial. Please enter me for a chance to win this book! Thanks!!
Ohhhh, I love hexies! This book would be a terrific addition to my library.
thanks for the giveaway.
So cute. Would love some inspiration for upcoming projects. Have a lot of scraps to put to good use. And what better use than some hexie goodness?
Awww the hexie key fob is so cute. You reminded me that the first piece of EPP was in school and it was hexagons sewn to the front of a pillow. I still have it now, although much loved & worm.
I love that keychain idea… I’m thinking stocking stuffers
I love hexagons and that book looks so inspiring!
I love the hexagons. So wonderful.
I love the key fob! I have a whole stack of hexes that would love to be made into one (or several!).
So cute. I want to give hexies a try. This project looks doable for me.
My husband loves hexagons, so this book would be amazing. I like the key fob too!
Such a gorgeous quilt. Would love to win the book!
sellcrystal2 at gmail dot com
This book looks great! I would love to win a copy!
Love the quilt. All the colours of the rainbow. Hexagons have me hooked, love the quiet time when I piece them together. Thanks!
I’ve been such a chicken, but I really can’t wait to try a Hexie project! I lve he idea of having his Asa takealong.
The work is wonderful. Love hexies. I am from Brazil and I would love to have this e-book.
have not tried paper piecing….. looks like a fun challenge…… thanks for the opportunity…..
s cree
I just started making hexagons and am very interested in some projects using them. Thanks for a chance to win this amazing book
Love the hexies!
The rainbow quilt is such a clever way to use some hexies! Looks like a great book!
I just bought some hexagon templates! This looks like a great way to use them!
The quilt on the cover is so cute. That would be my first project from this book. Thanks for the chance to win it!
I love hexagons! I’ve got 2 quilts going right now with them, (oops, make that 3). Thanks
Love seeing the new look of what can be done with hexagons!
Andrea
Lovely book with tons of inspiration! I’d love to have it in my library.
Love those quilts. The key fob is adorable, and a great first hexagon project.
I haven’t done hexies in years but now I want to try them again!
I love the hexy key fob! I will have to make one of my own this weekend! Thanks for the tute!
I’ve never done a hexie quilt before. Would love to win this book! It looks like a fun starter book.
I love the rainbow hexie quilt. Just gorgeous.
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
That’s really cool, and I have hexagon templates but haven’t made any yet for some reason, this is a nice manageable size project to start with!
This book looks so interesting. I’d love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance.
That is so cute. Wouldn’t that make a nice stocking stuffer? Never too soon to get started.
Love this book. Great ideas to use those hexagons!
Would be great if I won one!
I just love anything to do with hexies!! What a fab idea with the keyring. I would love the chance to win this book!! Thank you
Very cute – love it!
Looks like a cute book and thanks for the tutorial! Greetings from germany, Hildy
hildy(at)ebertzeder(dot)de
Just attempted hexagons and I am sold! Would love to win!
I’ve been completely obsessed with hexies lately and have just started making some baby 1/2″ ones for a purse. Would love to win that book, it has been on my Amazon wish list for several months now!
Great idea! I’d love to learn more about hexies!!!
Have been wanting to try hexagons and this book seems the perfect way to start and learn
Too fun, thanks for the chance to win!
This looks great. I am new to this hexis-technique but will try making a key fob as your instructions are very detailed and easy to follow. Greetings from Bavaria! Christine
I love hexies. I recently started to turn my many small fabric scraps into 2 ich hexagons to make a quilt with them but need some layout ideas. The book would be perfect.
I love hexies and your project is so cute!! Thanks!
I’ve been wanting to try hexagons for ages. Thankyou for the chance to win a giveaway.
Never tried hexagons before, but I’m wanting to try! Book looks lovely!
What a cute little hexy project and the perfect thing to get started with! The book looks divine – I’ve seen other previews as well. Thanks for the opportunity!
Add me to the list of the hexie obsessed. Can’t wait to page through this book!
I take my hexies everywhere!
Love all the hexi projects out there. Thanks for the giveaway. This would be so fun to win.
Id love a chance to learn anything hexie. Looks so fun!
Great ideia! Very simple.
Tanks for the giveaway.
Hexagons are just the sweetest and I love every new idea for using them! (I love the old ideas too!) Thanks for the chance and for this great diy!
Love your tutorial and book! Thanks for a chance to win my own copy
Love, love, love! Please, please, please! Hexa a go-go to my house!
Great little tutorial and I have a growing scrap pile that will benefit from some “hexification” Thanks for the chance
love this key chain! would love to win a copy of the book – I have some hexagons waiting to be made into something fun!
I love everything hexagon. Everything! I have a red, white and blue quilt that I’m sewing completely by hand and now really need to finish it so I can start on some more hexie lovelyness.
Thanks for such a great giveaway.
Suzanne