How to Finish Hexagon Quilt

Creating a hexagon quilt can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, blending creativity with craftsmanship. This guide aims to walk you through the final steps of finishing your hexagon quilt, ensuring that it not only looks beautiful but also stands up to wear and tear over time.

Whether you’re an experienced quilter or a novice looking to complete your first project, these instructions on how to finish hexagon quilt will provide clear, easy-to-follow guidance on adding those all-important finishing touches.

What is a Hexagon Quilt?

A hexagon quilt is a type of patchwork quilt made up of small, six-sided fabric pieces sewn together to create a larger design. This shape gives the quilt its unique look and allows for endless possibilities when it comes to color and pattern combinations.

You can make a hexagon quilt using traditional hand-sewing techniques or with the help of a sewing machine. Whichever method you choose, the process involves cutting and stitching together individual hexagon pieces to form larger sections, which are then sewn together to create the final quilt top.

Once you have completed your quilt top, it’s time to move on to the finishing stage. This is where you add the backing, batting, and binding to turn your top into a functional and durable quilt.

Why Do I Need to Finish My Hexagon Quilt?

Finishing your hexagon quilt is an essential step in the quilting process. Not only does it give a polished and professional look to your masterpiece, but it also ensures that the layers of fabric are securely held together, making it more durable and long-lasting.

Without proper finishing, your quilt may start to come apart at the seams or lose its shape over time. So, taking the time to follow these instructions on how to finish hexagon quilt will not only improve the overall appearance of your project but also ensure its longevity.

Materials You Will Need

Quilt Top (Already Completed):

Your completed hexagon quilt top will serve as the foundation for this finishing process. It should be free from any major mistakes or loose threads.

Backing Fabric:

The backing fabric is the bottom layer of your quilt that will be visible when the quilt is in use. This can be a single piece of fabric or several pieces sewn together to match the size of your quilt top.

Batting:

Batting is a layer of material used to provide insulation and thickness to your quilt. It is placed between the quilt top and backing and comes in various types, including cotton, wool, and polyester.

Quilt Binding:

Quilt binding is the final edge that goes around the perimeter of your quilt, securing all layers together. You can use pre-made binding or make your own from coordinating fabric.

Quilting Pins:

Quilting pins are used to hold all layers of the quilt together while you work on it. They come in various lengths, but longer ones are recommended for ease of use.

Sewing Machine:

A sewing machine is a useful tool when finishing a hexagon quilt, especially for attaching the binding and quilting the layers together. However, if you prefer hand-sewing, that is also an option.

10 Step-by-step Guidelines on How to Finish Hexagon Quilt

Step 1: Trim Edges

Before you begin layering and quilting, it’s essential to ensure that your quilt top has clean, even edges. Lay your completed hexagon quilt top on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Using a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat, carefully trim the edges of your quilt top so they are straight and even.

This step will make it easier to align the quilt top with the backing and batting layers, resulting in a polished and professional finish. Take your time during this step to ensure accuracy, as uneven edges can lead to complications later in the process.

Step 2: Prepare the Batting and Backing

To start preparing the batting and backing, first, spread out your backing fabric on a clean, flat surface with the wrong side facing up. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases to ensure it lays flat. Next, place the batting on top of the backing fabric, making sure it is centered and also free of wrinkles.

Both the backing fabric and batting should be slightly larger than your quilt top, typically by a few inches on each side. This extra allowance will help to prevent shifting and ensure that all layers are properly aligned when you begin quilting. Using a pair of fabric scissors or a rotary cutter, trim the batting and backing to match this size.

Once trimmed, secure the batting and backing together using quilting pins, positioning them at regular intervals to hold the layers in place. This step creates a stable base for the next stage of layering the quilt top, ensuring that the final quilt is smooth and evenly padded.

Step 3: Layer the Quilt

With the batting and backing securely pinned together, it’s time to add the quilt top layer. Place your hexagon quilt top on the top of your layered backing and batting, making sure it is centered and smooth. Just like with the previous layers, trim any excess fabric from the edges using scissors or a rotary cutter.

Again, use quilting pins to hold all three layers together at regular intervals. For extra security, you can also hand-baste or use temporary spray adhesive to keep everything in place while you work.

Step 4: Sewing Binding Strips Together

If you are using pre-made binding for your quilt edge, skip this step and move on to step 5. However, if you are making your own binding, follow these instructions to create long strips of fabric that will be used to bind the edges of your quilt.

Using a rotary cutter and ruler, cut several 2-1/2 inch wide strips from coordinating fabric. Sew the short ends of each strip together at a 45-degree angle to create one continuous strip. Trim the excess fabric and press open the seam.

Step 5: Prepare Binding

Whether you purchased a pre-made binding or made your own, it’s essential to prepare it before attaching it to your quilt. Fold the binding in half lengthwise and iron it to create a crease down the center.

Next, place one end of the binding along one edge of your quilt, leaving a few inches of excess at the end. Pin in place and continue pinning along the entire edge of your quilt until you reach the starting point.

Step 6: Attach Binding to Quilt

Using a sewing machine or hand-sewing needle, sew along the crease line on the binding, attaching it to the quilt top. Stop stitching about ¼ inch before reaching each corner of your quilt.

At each corner, fold the binding diagonally and then back up over itself to create a mitered corner. Continue stitching along the next side, repeating this process at each corner until you reach your starting point.

Step 7: Join Binding Ends

When you reach the end where you started attaching the binding, trim off any excess binding, leaving a few inches to overlap with the other end. Fold under the raw edge of the overlapped binding and continue sewing along the crease line until you reach your starting point.

Once complete, fold the binding over to the back of your quilt top and hand-stitch it in place for a clean finish.

Step 8: Quilting

Quilting is the process of stitching all three layers together. There are various quilting techniques you can choose from, including free-motion quilting or using a walking foot on your sewing machine.

If you’re new to quilting, start with simple straight-line quilting by sewing along each seam line in your hexagon quilt top. This technique adds durability and texture to the quilt without being too complicated for beginners.

Step 9: Remove Basting and Pins

Once you have finished quilting your hexagon quilt, it’s time to remove any basting stitches and quilting pins that were used to hold the layers together. Begin by carefully removing the quilting pins, ensuring not to disturb the quilting stitches you’ve just completed. If you used hand-basting stitches or temporary adhesive, gently take these out as well.

For hand-basting stitches, use a seam ripper or a small pair of scissors to cut the threads at regular intervals, then pull the threads out carefully. Removing these temporary stitches and pins will allow the quilt to lay flat and showcase the quilting work you have done. This step is crucial to ensuring the quilt has a smooth and professional appearance before proceeding to the final step.

Step 10: Finish the Edges

To complete your hexagon quilt, finish off the edges by trimming any excess batting and backing fabric from the outer edge. Ensure that all layers are even, then finish with a binding or alternative finishing technique of your choice.

Congratulations! You have successfully completed your very own hexagon quilt. Through careful attention to detail and precision during each step, you have created a beautiful and functional piece of art that can be cherished for years to come. Experiment with different fabrics, colors, and quilting techniques to create unique variations of this classic design. Happy quilting!

Following these steps on how to finish hexagon quilt, you can create a beautiful and functional hexagon quilt that will be cherished for years to come. Remember to always measure and trim carefully, use quilting pins to secure layers in place, and try out different quilting techniques to add your personal touch to the final piece.

Additional Tips for Quilting Success

Choose Quality Materials:

Start with high-quality fabric, batting, and thread. Investing in good materials can significantly improve the durability and appearance of your finished quilt.

Maintain Your Tools:

Keep your rotary cutter blades sharp and your sewing machine well-maintained. Dull tools and a poorly functioning machine can lead to inaccurate cuts and uneven stitches.

Pre-Wash Fabrics:

Pre-washing your fabrics can prevent shrinkage and color bleeding when the quilt is washed after completion. This step can save a lot of frustration and disappointment in the long run.

Practice Makes Perfect:

Don’t be discouraged if your first few quilts don’t turn out exactly as you imagined. Quilting takes patience, practice, and experimentation to master. Keep trying new techniques and patterns, and you will continue to improve with each project.

Conclusion

Finishing a quilt can feel like a daunting task, but by following these steps on how to finish hexagon quilt and using quality materials, you can create a beautiful hexagon quilt that will be treasured for years to come.

Remember to take your time, measure carefully, and have fun adding your personal touch through fabric choices and quilting techniques. With a little patience and practice, you’ll be quilting like a pro in no time!  So go ahead, gather your supplies and get ready to create your very own hexagon quilt. Happy quilting!