It's a runner month with Jane and her Seasonal Hexaculture

Hi, I am Jane (Quiltjane) from Want it, Need it, Quilt. Thank you Madam Samm for inviting me to share in the March Runners month.

Today I bring you a detachable runner, using one of my favourite shapes - the humble hexagon. The hexagons can be joined with a simple button and loop to extend the length of a table or divided up into individual pieces.

Materials

• 1/2 yard of 5 different fabrics ( 2 prints and 3 solids)
• 1/2 yard binding
• 1/2 backing fabric 
• 20" x 65" wadding
• 8" 60 degree triangle ruler / or template plastic
• 8 buttons
• Perle Cotton

Clearview 8" 60 degree ruler

To make your own template, draw a 7 1/2" base line. Find the midpoint of the baseline.
Draw a vertical  line measuring 6 1/2".
Draw 2 sides exactly 7 1/2" in length. Measure 1/4" inside the perimeter to mark the 1/4" seam allowance.

Cutting

• Cut 1 - 6 1/2" x 22" strip from one print fabric. Set aside for Summer block
• Cut 6 - 2 1/4" strips WOF for binding
• All other cutting directions are block based.

Assembly


Each hexagon is made up of 6 equilateral triangles cut from pieced fabrics. For each hexagon block made there will be left over strips which can be used in the other blocks.

Winter

• Cut 2 strips, width of fabric (WOF) from each of the 5 fabrics in different widths of 2", 2 1/2", 1", 1 1/4" and 1 1/2". Alternate the strip width for each fabric so no 2 are the same width.
• Cut the strips in half again to yield approximately 22" strips
• Join the strips to make 2 sets 6 1/2" x approx 22".

Hint: Start and finish with a wide strip. You may need to trim back the finished strip sets to 6 1/2".

• Using the template or ruler, cut three triangles from each strip set. Save the off cuts and extra strips as they will be used in the 'Summer' Block.

• Sew 3 triangles together to make a half. Make 2 halves and sew these together to make one hexagon.

Horizontal Strips - Winter

Spring

• Cut 2 strips, width of fabric (WOF) from each of the 5 fabrics in different widths of 2", 2 1/2", 1", 1 1/4" and 1 1/2". Alternate the strip width for each fabric so no 2 are the same width.
• Cut the strips in half again to yield approximately 22" strips
• Join the 10 strips into one large strip set to make length and width approx 22"
• Cut into 6 1/2" x approx 22" sections

Remember to keep all off cuts for use in the Summer block

• Cut 3 triangles from each 6 1/2" x 22" strip set
• Sew 3 triangles together to make a half. Make 2 halves and sew these together to make one hexagon.

Vertical Strips - Spring

Autumn

• Using any extra strips from Spring and Winter, make 2 strip sets 12" x 22". You may need to cut extra
• Place the template on an angle and cut first triangle.

Hint: Mark the three triangles on the fabric to ensure they all fit

• Cut 3 triangles from each 12" x 22" strip set
• Sew 3 triangles together to make a half. Make 2 halves and sew these together to make one hexagon.

Angled Strips - Autumn

Summer

• Using all the off cuts and left over strips, make 1 randomly pieced block 6 1/2" by 22"

• Cut 3 triangles
• From the 6 1/2" x 22" print piece cut 3 triangles

• Sew 3 triangles together to make a half. Make 2 halves and sew these together to make one hexagon.

Pieced Strips - Summer

Quilting and Binding

I chose to do four geometric designs to reflect the four seasons

Doing 60 degree bindings is very similar to a square binding on a quilt.

• Sew to corner of hexagon

• Fold binding up You can see it forms an angle in line with the seam

• Fold the binding down with edge in line with corner top and at right angles to tip. Start sewing 1/4" from tip

• Fold back binding and hand sew at back.

Finishing runner

I have chosen to use a simple loop using perle cotton. If you would like to make a chained loop here is a great tutorial by Oliver + S.

• Add a loop to each end of the hexagon at the widest point.

Bring thread through to point and make a quilters knot. 

Make a loop big enough to fit button through. Thread back through tip and secure again with quilters knot. 

Bring the thread down through layers and trim to hide.

• Repeat for all four hexagons.
• Add button to the tip of each corner that has a loop

• Join hexagons by slipping opposite loop over button.

Configurations

The hexagons can be joined at one point

or at 2 points

and they can be separated to make individual mats.

Try experimenting with different sized hexagons

or even different shapes, such as diamonds and squares.

I hope you have enjoyed todays project. If you make a detachable runner please add it to the Flickr group found here. I would love to see them all.