Not long after discovering my love for quarter inch hexagons, I started exploring ways I could use them, what motifs and designs I could create with them. I can’t remember now the exact moment I thought of making a heart shape motif, or when I pieced my first one, but I know it was many years ago and I have made a lot of them since!
At some point, while making my first heart, I settled on the idea of framing the finished heart in a timber embroidery hoop. I knew I wanted the heart to stand alone and not be incorporated into a quilt. I decided instead on hand appliqueing it on to plain calico fabric, allowing the design of the heart, and all those little hexagons take pride of place.
At the time crafters all over were finding new and creative ways of using timber embroidery hoops other than their most general purpose for doing cross stitch or embroidery in. I loved the simplicity of these little hoops, and I knew they would complement my Hexie Hearts and result in a pretty wall hanging.
I became a little addicted to making Hexie Hearts after that first one. I started to make them from both quarter inch and three eighth inch hexagons, making small heart designs and larger ones. Soon I had too many to keep for myself so I began selling them at local craft and artisan markets. I never found it hard to let these mini EPP creations go. I love sharing my love for this craft, so it was lovely when customers and market shoppers also revelled in their tiny cuteness. Many people would look in awe at them, quite astonished at the size of the hexagons and that they had been all stitched by hand. It is nice to think of them living now in people’s homes, hopefully bringing a little joy and cheeriness to them.
And so, the idea to write a Hexie Heart Pattern Collection came to be. I know not everyone likes to sew with the tiny hexies I like to use, so I decided to design additional hearts created with larger hexagons as well. I ended up with eleven Hexie Heart motifs created from seven different sized hexagons – ¼”, 3/8”, ½”, 5/8”, ¾”, 7/8” and 1”. I designed all of the hearts to fit within specific size embroidery hoops. Of course, the possibilities are endless when it comes to the end use of your Hexie Heart Motif. You could incorporate it into a quilt panel or block, applique it on to a bag or cushion, even applique it on to an item of clothing.
I also started to experiment with ways you could embellish or quilt on top of the hearts. This has lead me down an exciting new rabbit hole! I experimented with sweet embroidery motifs, traditional Sashiko stitching and also kantha stitch quilting. I have also included in the pattern some examples of different applique methods you can use for sewing your heart on to backing fabric.
As well as the written instructions, I have filmed four tutorials that you can find on my YouTube channel: Basting Hexagons, Needle Turn Appliqueing Your Heart on to Backing Fabric, How to Frame your heart in an embroidery hoop and Harmonious Hexagon Placement.
I really hope everyone enjoys making these pretty Hexie Hearts as much as I do. They are so sweet and simple to make, the perfect accessory to any sewing or craft room. Please share your Hexie Hearts with me by using #hexieheartepp and tagging @the_makers_stash on Instagram.
You can find the Hexie Heart Pattern Collection HERE.
Happy Stitching,
Miss Leela
Lovely stitching! I recently worked with hexies for the first time making a block for the Quiltmania Solidarity SAL. I am hooked. Thanks for making tutorials too. I’m now a subscriber.
Thank you and welcome to the wonderful world of English Paper Piecing 😊
[…] it might be interesting to incorporate it over the top of hexagon EPP. Again as I was working on Hexie Heart Samples, I thought some Sashiko paired with one of my heart designs would be an interesting match. Similar […]