I've always had a love-hate relationship with hexagons, which is why finding quilt as you go hexagon templates was such a huge win for my sewing projects. If you've ever tried traditional English Paper Piecing (EPP), you know it's a beautiful process, but man, it takes forever. I don't always have six months to finish a single lap quilt, and that's where the quilt-as-you-go (QAYG) method steps in to save the day. It gives you that classic, geometric look without the endless hand-stitching or the need to quilt the whole thing at the end.
The beauty of using specific templates for this is the precision. You aren't just winging the shapes; you're getting perfectly uniform pieces that actually fit together when it's time to join them. If you're looking to clear out your scrap bin or just want a portable project to work on while watching TV, these templates are going to be your new best friend.
Why Hexagons Don't Have to Be Intimidating
Hexagons usually scare people off because of the "Y-seams." If you've ever tried to machine-piece a hexie quilt the old-fashioned way, you've probably dealt with puckers, weird corners, and a lot of frustration. But when you use the QAYG method, you're basically finishing each individual hexagon as you go. By the time you're ready to put the quilt together, the "quilting" part is already done.
The templates make this possible because they help you cut the fabric and the batting at the exact proportions needed to fold the edges over. It turns a complex architectural puzzle into a simple "fold and stitch" task. Plus, it's incredibly satisfying to see a pile of finished, puffy little hexies grow on your side table. It feels like you're making progress much faster than traditional methods.
Picking the Right Templates for Your Style
When you start looking for quilt as you go hexagon templates, you'll notice they usually come in sets of two. There's a larger outer template and a smaller inner template. The larger one is for your main fabric, and the smaller one is for your batting (and sometimes a backing fabric, depending on the specific method you like).
I personally prefer the clear acrylic templates. They usually have some kind of non-slip grip on the bottom, which is a lifesaver when you're using a rotary cutter. If the template slides even a little bit, your hexagon won't be symmetrical, and that's a headache you don't want later.
Another thing to look for is "fussy cutting" windows. If the template is clear, you can center it over a specific flower or animal on your fabric to make sure that design ends up right in the middle of your hexagon. It's a small detail that makes your quilt look way more high-end and intentional.
Setting Up Your Hexie "Sandwich"
Once you have your templates, the process is pretty straightforward, but there's a rhythm to it. You'll use the large template to cut your fabric and the small template to cut your batting. Some people like to use a bit of temporary fabric glue to hold the batting centered on the wrong side of the fabric. I've tried doing it without glue, and while it's possible, the batting tends to shift, which makes the folding part a bit wonky.
After you have your batting centered on the fabric, you'll fold the fabric edges over the batting. Since a hexagon has six sides, you'll be doing this six times per piece. This is where those quilt as you go hexagon templates really show their value—they ensure that the "seam allowance" you're folding over is exactly the same on every single side.
You can either pin these edges down or use those tiny plastic sewing clips. I'm a big fan of the clips because pins always seem to find a way to poke me when I'm working on small pieces.
The Actual Sewing Part
Now, here's where you have a couple of choices. Some people like to "baste" the edges down by hand, which is very similar to EPP. However, the whole point of QAYG for many of us is speed. You can take these little sandwiches straight to your sewing machine.
You'll want to sew around the perimeter of the hexagon, catching the folded edge to secure it to the batting and the base fabric. I usually use a standard straight stitch, but a decorative stitch can look really cool too if you want the "quilting" to stand out. Since you're only sewing through two layers of fabric and one layer of batting, your machine will breeze right through it.
By the time you finish one, you've basically created a "self-binding" hexagon. The edges are finished, the batting is secured, and it's ready to be joined to its neighbors. It's a great way to use up those thread spools that only have a little bit left, especially if you're going for a scrappy look.
Putting the Whole Thing Together
This is the part where people get confused, but it's actually the easiest bit. Since every hexagon is already "finished," you aren't sewing them together with traditional seams. Instead, you lay two hexagons side-by-side (wrong sides together or right sides together, depending on the look you want) and join them.
If you want a completely flat look, you can use a zigzag stitch or a ladder stitch on your machine to join the edges. If you prefer a more "handmade" look, a simple whipstitch by hand works beautifully. Because the batting is already inside, you're just joining the very edges of the fabric.
The best part? Once you've joined all your hexagons, you're done. There's no need to load a giant quilt onto a longarm machine or struggle to shove a king-sized blanket through your domestic machine's tiny throat space. You've been quilting the whole time!
Fun Project Ideas to Get You Started
If you're new to using quilt as you go hexagon templates, don't feel like you have to jump straight into a queen-sized bedspread. Start small!
- Coasters: These are the perfect "ten-minute" project. Two or three hexies joined together (or even just one large one) make great gifts.
- Table Runners: You can play with color gradients. Start with dark blues on one end and fade into light whites at the other.
- Pillows: A front panel made of 15-20 hexies looks incredible and adds a lot of texture to a couch.
- Baby Quilts: Since babies don't need huge quilts, this is a manageable way to finish a beautiful gift in a weekend.
A Few Pro-Tips for Success
I've made my fair share of mistakes with these, so let me save you some trouble. First, watch your batting thickness. If you use a super high-loft polyester batting, your hexagons are going to be very "poofy," which makes joining them a bit harder. A thin cotton or bamboo batting is usually much easier to fold and sew.
Second, don't skip the pressing. Even though you're using quilt as you go hexagon templates to get the shape right, hitting those folded edges with a hot iron before you sew them makes a world of difference. It crispifies the edges and keeps everything flat.
Lastly, have fun with your thread! Since the stitching is going to show on the "back" (which is actually part of the design), you can use variegated thread to add some extra color, or a neutral grey that disappears into almost any fabric.
Using these templates really takes the stress out of one of the most iconic shapes in quilting. It's relaxing, it's methodical, and honestly, it's just a lot of fun to see those shapes snap together perfectly. Whether you're a pro or you just started sewing last week, this method is definitely worth a shot.