Large Hexagon Quilt Pattern: A Modern Honeycomb Throw (56 x 58)

Hexagons have a reputation as fussy, thanks to tiny paper pieces and hand sewing. This quilt is the opposite: big 7 inch hexagons, pieced by machine in rows, and a finished throw of about 56 x 58 inches. I made mine from a stack of fat quarters in blue, cream, blush and sage, and it looks like a honeycomb across the couch.

Who it is for

You do not need paper piecing experience, but you do need to be comfortable with a quarter inch seam. The only new skill is a pivot seam: when you join one row to the next, you stop at a marked dot, pivot with the needle down and continue along the next edge. The pattern shows you every step, and by the third row it feels natural. I call it confident beginner level.

Skill level: confident beginner. Time: a few weeks of evenings. Seam allowance: 1/4 inch.

Materials

• 21 fat quarters: 19 for the 75 whole hexagons (four per fat quarter, one spare) and 2 for the 10 half hexagons at the row ends
• About 3 3/4 yards of 44 inch backing
• 3/4 yard for the binding
• Batting at least 64 x 66 inches
• Rotary cutter, 6 x 24 inch ruler, template plastic, fabric marking pencil, clips and a walking foot

What is in the PDF

Nine letter pages. The two last pages are full size templates for the whole hexagon (7.5 inches flat to flat for cutting, with the seam line dashed) and the half hexagon, each with a 1 inch square so you can check that your printer did not scale the page. Before that you get the cutting chart, fat quarter layouts drawn to scale, a row by row layout diagram showing where the half hexagons sit, and nine illustrated steps: cutting, layout, sewing rows, joining rows with pivot seams, a Y-seam detail, trimming the zigzag edges, basting and quilting, and binding.

Why large hexagons

Fewer pieces means faster progress and a bolder look. Each hexagon shows off a print, so this is a good home for your favorite fat quarter bundle. Large hexagons also quilt beautifully: stitch in the ditch around each shape, or add lines 1 inch apart for a modern grid.

A few honest tips

Mark the dots. The pivot method depends on them, and it takes a few minutes per row. Press seams open at the joins, which makes the quilt flat and easier to quilt. Lay out the entire quilt on the floor and take a photo before you start sewing; it is easy to turn a hexagon and not notice until three rows later.

Get the pattern

The Large Hexagon Quilt pattern is an instant PDF download for personal use. Print the template pages at 100 percent and check the 1 inch square. Your purchase includes the free Sewing Project Planner.