Large Hexagon Quilt Tutorial
Hi there! I’m so excited today to share the tutorial for this Large Hexagon Quilt with you. I was able to whip this Halloween Quilt up very quickly using half hexagon quilt pieces, this free Hexagon Quilt Pattern, and a bunch of Halloween fabric fat quarters.
This large hexagon Halloween quilt comprises an extremely random selection from my Halloween fabric stash.
I decided to stick to blacks, oranges, and whites, trying to vary the scale of the prints for interest. I think that all large-scale prints would have been a bit overwhelming for this quilt size.
However, I think the large hexagon shape lends itself well to both large and novelty prints. It’s a great quilt to make if you’re looking to use up a lot of fabric scraps.
You could easily use this Large Hexagon Quilt pattern to make a quilt for any season or occasion. It does not have to be a Halloween quilt. This pattern would also make a great baby quilt!
Why This Quilt is Constructed with Half Hexagon Pieces
Usually, when you piece hexagons together for a quilt, you have a difficult to sew “Y” seam. To avoid having to sew Y seams, I used a special half hexagon quilt ruler when I cut out my quilt.
By cutting the hexagon in half you can avoid this by sewing 1/2 hexagon shapes together in rows, thus avoiding Y seams.
Just know that you have to plan ahead to get the look you want.
To finish the quilt I decided to free-motion quilt spiderwebs onto the quilt. I couldn’t bring myself to quilt a spider web in every hexagon (although that would have been cool), so I chose to quilt 5 large spiderwebs and then fill in a few of the hexagons with their own web.
The photos of the finished quilt were taken at Shaker Village in Kentucky. It is one of my favorite places to visit in Autumn.
How to Cut out the Half Hexagons
This post is a few years old. I’ve gone through and updated it extensively. You now have 3 different options to cut out the hexagons for your quilt. I’ll briefly discuss each of them.
Option 1: Use a Quilt Ruler
You can use a half hexagon quilt ruler to cut out the pieces for this quilt. I’ve linked to one in the instructions. The ruler I used is 9″ wide and sized to fit on a 10″ piece of fabric. This makes this quilt particularly easy to make since you can use a pre-cut stack of fabric.
Option 2: Paper Template
If you choose this option, you’ll need to get the PDF of the template then print it out and cut it out. You can cut the template from template plastic so that it will hold up better as you complete your quilt. You can find the information to get printable under this post’s “How to Get the Hexagon” section.
Option 3: Cricut SVG File
In my opinion, the easiest way to cut out this quilt is with a Cricut Maker and a pre-cut 10″ stack of fabric. Get the SVG file in our Cricut Library. Upload it to Cricut Design space, then insert it into your project twice.
What is a Cricut? A Cricut Machine is an electronic cutting machine. It hooks up to your computer via USB or Bluetooth and cuts images you send to it, much like a printer. It just cuts instead of prints. It can cut vinyl, paper, fabric, and much more. The images are all digital; you can upload your own images or buy images in the Cricut Design space individually. You can read my full review of the Cricut Maker Machine HERE.
Flip the pieces so they are on top of each other. One right side up and one upside down. Select both pieces, then ATTACH in Design Space.
When you select “Make it,” double-check that the entire cut will fit on the 10″ piece of fabric (you can see a grid on the preview screen), and use your mouse to move the design if necessary.
Then select Continue and keep cutting until you are done. If you tell the machine to make 53 copies, it will prompt you to insert a new mat. It will go very quickly. To see more about cutting fabric with a Cricut Maker, you can check out our detailed tutorial.
How to Get the Hexagon Templates
Fill out this form, and we will email you BOTH the Printable Half Hexagon Template and an SVG File that can be used with a Cricut Machine.
Large Hexagon Quilt Pattern
Instructions
Giant Hexagon Quilt Pattern
Equipment
supplies
Half Hexagon Template; Choose 1 Option
- Half Hexie ruler that is 9" Wide OR You can also use the paper template linked below on our site.
- Paper Template for Half Hexie Ruler Obtain for free using the form on this page.
- Half Hexagon SVG File for Cricut Maker Machines Obtain for free using the form on this page. Make sure template is 9" tall when imported into Cricut Design Space.
Fabric
- Option 1: Buy a 10″ stacker of fabric. You can cut 1 completed hexagon from each 10″ piece of fabric. You will need 53 10″ pieces for this quilt as shown. Most pre-cut stacks come with 42 pieces, you will need a few additional pieces of fabric to complete the quilt.
- Option 2: Various Fabric Prints- enough to cut 53 10” squares. You could, in theory, get 2 full hexagons from one fat quarter. Which means you need a MINIMUM of 27 Fat Quarters.
- 3 Yards Fabric for backing
- Batting I prefer 100% cotton.
- 1/2 Yard Binding Fabric Assumes binding cut to 2 1/2" wide.
Instructions
Cutting:
- Cut 106 half hexagons from your prints in groups of 2. Which works out to be 53 sets. (remember that the hexagon is cut in half, and you will sew it back together).
- A note about fabric direction: I chose not to try to match the direction of the prints on my half hexagons. As I was cutting out my fabrics I didn’t try to match the “repeat”. You can spend a bit of extra time when cutting if you wish to match the pattern of the fabric on the pieces. Just be sure to account for the 1/4" seam allowance. Remember as you sew the pieces together that one half-hexagon is right side up and one is upside down, so flip your template when you cut the second piece so all of the fabric is facing the same direction when sewn.
- You can cut the way you think is easiest. If you want to first cut 53 10” squares then cut your hexagons from that you can. If you are not concerned about fabric direction, you can fold the 10" piece of fabric in half and cut out both pieces at the same time. This is what I did.
- TIP: A spinning cutting mat and it made quick work of cutting out the shapes.
Layout the Cut Pieces:
- You’ll need to pre-plan your layout before you start sewing. Layout your half hexagons so that you have 7 half hexagons across by 15 half hexagons down.Make sure that your prints match up to create the full hexagon when sewn together. I used a design wall for this (linked above). If you don't have a design wall, just layout the pieces on the floor.
Sew the Half Hexagons Together:
- Start sewing the 1/2 hexagon shapes together by row, along the short edges. Making sure to keep them in the exact same order as when you laid them out.
- Use a 1/4” seam allowance. I always label my rows with a water-soluble pen, so I know what order they go back together.
- Now press the seams to one side. Press the seams on the odd # rows to the right and the seams on the even # rows to the left.
- Sew your rows together.
Finishing:
- Use a quilt ruler to cut the extra parts of the hexagons off the edges so that you have a clean edge when you are done.
- Quilt & Bind as Desired
Notes
You May Also Like:
A Tour of Shaker Village in Kentucky
Halloween Haberdashery Witches Hat Quilt Pattern
Free Mini Quilt Pattern; Dresden Plate Mini Quilt
Tic Tac Cat; Witch Hat & Cat Halloween Quilt Pattern
Thank you so much for this tutorial! Super helpful for this newbie sewist…and the quilt is super cute!!
Did you use a batting in this quilt? If so what kind? Thank you!
I have an Accuquilt die in the hexagon shape. If I used this whole hexagon shape to cut out the shapes and then cut them in half, would they end up the right size? Do you lose any size by going with the half cut?
Hi! I’m thinking about using my dad’s old sweatshirts in this pattern. Would you still use half hex and sew them together or make a full hex and sew together? I’ve never quilted but was about the thick material and a line down the middle looking ok.
I love love love this Halloween quilt! Isn’t it crazy to have posted this 3 years ago and it’s still being discovered! Your blog is beautiful, I can’t wait to read more! Back to this quilt, I’ve never used a hexagon ruler before but now I’ll need to! I love the beautiful scenery too! So nicely done! Halloween is just around the corner I better jump on making this! Thanks again!!
Have fun!
I can understand not wanting to match them as 53 would have been time consuming but what if you had folded the fabric and used the fold for the large end of the ruler? I don’t have the half hexi yet but have been thinking about getting it.
Yes, placing the ruler on the fold! So smart! I’m going to do that! Thank you!
But then that would have given you the Y seam! (using the ruler on the fold) I got it! Still on my first cup of coffee this morning! 🙂
Hi! Love your quilt! If I wanted to add a narrow border (@2″), around this – what would those measurements be and how would I do that? I also wondered if this hexie half cutter can be purchased at a fabric store like Joanne’s?
I have not seen or tried the hexie cutter or that system before but I think the principal is the same. Yes, I think you could add a border… I don’t know what size to tell you to cut the fabric, it will depend on the finished size – especially if you end up using another hexagon size than I did.
I am curious about your “design wall”. What did you use to make it?
I do love this quilt too! 🙂
You can buy a design wall at the craft store. It’s in the quilt section and is pretty much a plastic backed piece of flannel. You can also make one by covering large panels with quilters flannel
What is the length of half hexie? I can’t find one up in Canada.
Missouri Star Quilt company online store sells the half hexie template.
I love this quilt! It would be awesome in Christmas fabrics as well! I want to add, that in nature, spiderwebs are never perfect, so your are just as they should be!
Hello, I was so inspired by your quilt i am now starting my own!!! But I would really like to make mine to fit my queen size bed. Do you have an estimated guess of how many full hexagons i would need for something that size? Currently i am just going to town cutting my half hexies and trying to lay them out as i go to see the size. Please please let me know what you think! Thank you in advance for your help!
-Alli
Did you figure out how many hexagons you needed for a queen size quilt?
Thanks!
No,
I’m sorry, I’m not sure how to do that- I made the quilt a year ago and my memory is just not good enough to figure it out. I’d google “Lori Holt Hexagon Ruler, Queen Size” and see what you come up with.
So I made this in a queen size and it came to 10 half hexagons wide and 18 rows long. Hope that makes sense
Thanks for the info! I know a lot of people will appreciate it.
I love your quilt! Mainly because Halloween is my favorite holiday but also the fun hexagons. When I saw this, I knew that I wanted to try it, so I’m making one for my sister using her favorite colors. I’m using brushed flannels “Rag style” with exposed seams. My finished hexagons will be 8″ using a 60° ruler. Thank you for the inspiration and yes, I loved the donkey!
So glad you like it! The rag quilt sounds adorable!
This is sew fabulous and fun!!!! Going to start mine today!
What is the finished size of the quilt? How much batting would I need to get, like a twin or queen?
A twin would be more than enough- it’s about 43 x 55 finished.
Super cute! And much easier than piecing actual hexagons together. Ain’t nobody got time for that!
Beautiful quilt, next time I make hexagons it will be large ones and not 1inch ones.
I am in love with that quilt! It is amazing and looks so cozy. I think my favorite thing is how subtle it is. From the first photo, I had no idea it was a Halloween theme. Then you get close up and see all the Halloweeny goodness!
Yes, I think it’s a pattern that would work great for any holiday fabrics.
Ha! I love the walking quilt….
Yes, I need a bigger quilt or a shorter model 🙂
This quilt is absolutely delightful!
Your comment about the donkey takes me back to my wedding. I decided to hang this awesome triangle bunting that i had made on the fence behind where the ceremony was going to take place. I was taking pre-wedding pictures with my bridesmaids when I look over and all the groomsmen (not groom) are running to the fence to get the triangles away from the goats. I thought it was hilarious, and all we had to do (thankfully) was move the triangles up a little higher. 🙂
This is adorable. I want to make one for Halloween and one for Christmas out of my grinch material. Do you know where online I can find the ruler? Thanks
Terrri
I think Christmas would be adorable! I saw the Grinch fabric last week at my local store– looks so cute!