How do you sew hexagon pieces WITHOUT paper pieces?

Question

I have a bunch of vintage hexagon pieces that I'd like to out together without paper backing. The problem is that I have a long row of these that were sewn together already. I would like to work off that string of pieces. I am not sure there really is any other way to do it, unless someone has any ideas. Is it possible?

This is in regards to quilting and piecing fabric (for those of you who are not psychic--sorry!)

Just in response to the second person--the reason I want to do it without paper piecing is I have a string of hexagons that have been sewn together already. The problem is obviously I can't sew a bunch of rows and then easily sew those together (unless I could, I don't know). I wanted to continue in the pattern established by the row I had already--I bought some vintage ones on ebay.

Answer 1

Yes, it can be done with paper piecing as long as all of your pieces are already cut and are of the same size. Check the original piece to see the size seam that was used. More than likely a 1/4" seam. Here is the trick. You will need to use a Y seam to have the pieces lay flat. Make a tiny mark 1/4" from each edge of the side you will be working on. Start sewing at the first tick and continue sewing till you reach the mark at the end of the side. Have another piece ready to go. When you reach the 2nd mark place the needle through the mark on the 1st piece and into the 1st mark on the 2nd piece and sew. Keep adding pieces one at a time. Sounds like this could be a type of grandmother's garden. Look up this pattern and it will probably be of more help than my vague description. Good luck and enjoy working with your find.

Answer 2

Hmmmm...kind of disagree with the other responder...sorry!...and with respect...
There's no need whatsoever to do this with "Y" seaming, which to my way of thinking makes things unnecessarily complicated.
I'm not sure why you would want to do this WITHOUT the paper pieces? The paper provides support and a template for your cutting and just generally makes life a whole lot easier. They are easy to remove when you're done, just by cutting the basting holding them in and removing them.
However~if you're determined to do them without, here's what I'd do:
1. Remove one of the paper pieces from the ones you have and use it as a pattern; add about 1/4" seam allowance (sa is not crucial as long as you're using the pattern) and cut out.
I'd probably be inclined to make a template from cardboard or plastic, from the paper one, to use for the next steps. Your template should NOT have a seam allowance added.
2. Iron the raw edges to the wrong side AROUND the paper (or cardboard, or plastic) pattern until you have your hexagon shape established, and the right size. Then remove the template.
3. Now, here's how you put them together, either with or without paper inside them:
-take two hexagons (or, your string and a new one)
-put them right sides together, matching the edges.
-on ANY free edge, using a thread that matches the fabric background, whipstitch the two edges together.
You want to be catching just the littlest teeny bit of each edge; if you decide to leave the papers in, you want to try and catch the fold edge of the fabric, but not the paper in the stitching.
If you're not familiar with whipstitch, here's a wonderful stitch dictionary online that will give you instructions:
http://inaminuteago.com/stitchindex.html
4. Once you come to the end of the seam, simply let your needle hang, match up any two other free edges and do it again! Or, if you prefer, end each one and restart the new seam. It doesn't really matter, just a personal preference. Scrunching the fabric and paper in the process doesn't matter. Just iron flat when you are done.
5. You will see that the whipstitch just on the edge allows the two hexagon pieces to lie flat after you have them stitched together.

Hope that helps! Have fun with your hexagons...

Lori