Tutorial – How to Sew Log-Cabin Hexagons

 

Hello everyone! And welcome if you popped over from Lynne’s to check out my stop on the Oakshott Colourshott blog hop. Today, I’m going to show you how to make Log-cabin hexies for a summer table-set. Although I can’t help but wonder how fabulous a scrap quilt would look made out of these?!  

How to sew a log-cabin hexagon to make a table runner and matching set of coasters.

I was sent a Fat Eighth bundle of Colourshott Oakshott Brighton Rock and despite not really being a pink type of girl it’s very hard to resist Oakshott in any colours and these are just gorgeous. I think it’s the way they shimmer and shine depending on how the light catches them.

Tutorial using Oakshott Colourshott to make a table runner and oasters by sewing log-cabin hexagons.

So, enough waffling – lets get started shall we?!

If you would like some extra hints and tips, check out the Candy Crush Log Cabin Hexie Quilt

The Inspiration

This colourway instantly reminded me of roses and I just couldn’t get the idea out of my head so in the end I ran with it!

Starting with hexagons, they are built up in a similar way to log-cabins – working around each of the edges, trimming as you go, with different colours used to suggest the varying shades that you get in a rosebud.

How to sew a log-cabin hexagon to make a table runner and matching set of coasters.

This summer table set will give you one table runner and six coasters.

Materials

  • 1 x Oakshott Colourshott Brighton Rock F8 pack
  • 1 yd Backing fabric
  • 1/2 yd Wadding 1/4 yd Binding fabric  

Finished size of table runner: 12 1/2” x 50”

Please remember to read through all the instructions before starting. All seam allowances are 1/4” unless otherwise stated.

How to sew a log-cabin hexagon to make a table runner and matching set of coasters.

Cutting Instructions

  • Cut a 3” wide strip from the short end of each F8: from each of these cut 3 x 1.5” hexagons
  • Cut the remaining F8 fabric into 1.5” strips length wise
  • From the backing fabric and wadding cut 6 x 6″ squares for the coasters, 15″ x 55″ for the table runner

Making Hexagon Roses

Tip: Each rose is built up like a log-cabin block. I took each long strip, sewed it on to the hexagon, cut to size and then trimmed properly after pressing to make the process a bit speedier!

How to sew a log-cabin hexagon - can look like flowers or a great use of scraps.

Following the above diagram for colour placement as you work your way around the hexagon, mixing up the light/dark fabrics on each of the roses so that there is an even distribution of colours across the table runner.  

Take a hexagon. Pick up your first strip in the same colour and sew on to one side of the hexagon. Cut the strip. Press upwards.  

How to sew a log-cabin hexagon - can look like flowers or a great use of scraps.

Using a ruler, line up with the outside line where piece 2 will go and ensure it is square with the opposite side of the hexagon (on round two you can square up with the seam on round 1) (A)  Trim your rose following the line of the hexagon (B)

Rotate the hexagon to trim the other side in the same way as before (C & D) 
Take your next strip and continue in the same way around until the rose is complete.  

Make 6 roses up to round 1 (piece 6) for the coasters.

Make 18 roses up to round 2 (piece 18) for the table runner. Cut five of the roses in half.  

Tip: because of the pressing needed, it is quicker to sew all the Strip 1’s on, before pressing/ trimming/cutting, then Strip 2 and so on.  

Making the table runner

Take the 18 roses with Lay your roses out as per the diagram.

How to sew a log-cabin hexagon to make a table runner and matching set of coasters.

The roses are sewn together on the machine using the y-seam method.  

How to sew a log-cabin hexagon to make a table runner and matching set of coasters.

For this step I’m going to send you over to Karen’s fabulous tutorial which is the one that I used: it very clearly describes each step and I think that she should have all the credit! If you’ve not sewn y-seams before, then please don’t be put off at this point as this was also my first time and it really is a lot easier than you would think!

When adding in the half roses, position the bottom short edge to the table runner and work out to the outside edge to ensure an accurate fit.  

Trim each end to form the point following the line of the outer hexagon, and trim the long edges  

Layer the quilt top, wadding and backing to make a quilt sandwich. Quilt as desired. I stitched a 1/4″ around the outside of each rose using a variegated thread.   Bind the table runner in your preferred way.

To Make the Coasters

Layer the wadding, backing fabric (right side up) and rose (right side down). 

Starting at piece 6, sew around the outside leaving a hole for turning, securing the beginning and end stitches. 

Trim the excess backing fabric and wadding and the corners so that the coasters will lay flat.

How to sew a log-cabin hexagon to make a table runner and matching set of coasters.

Turn out through the hole using a chopstick (or some other pointy thing!) to push the corners out. Press.  

Topstitch to secure the opening and quilt as desired, again I used a variegated thread and stitched 1/8″ inside round one and the hexagon.

How to sew a log-cabin hexagon to make a table runner and matching set of coasters.

For the full blog hop schedule:

I thought I would also share with you the recommendation that if you make an Oakshott project and wash it please make sure you use colour catchers: I washed this table runner with two colour catchers and they came out quite pink, but they did their job as the white is still white so all is good, thankfully!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions then do drop me a line,

S x

Today’s sky ● gloriously sunny with blue skies and a few wispy clouds. Perfect!

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Log Cabin Hexie Quilt, Love Patchwork & Quilting, Issue 86

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13 Comments

  1. I honestly would not choose those colors myself either, but that rich red really helps make this a beautiful project. I really love what you created using these fabrics. Very pretty.

  2. Another genius idea on this bloghop! I love your hexagon roses Sonia, beautiful and very rosey! It's funny that every post I've been to I've wished I'd chosen that bundle instead – it's how everyone has used them that makes me think that! Well done!

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