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You are here: Home / Crafts / How To Make An Applique Hexagon Patchwork Cushion

How To Make An Applique Hexagon Patchwork Cushion

7th August 2015 by Claire Armstrong 22 Comments

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These gorgeous hexagon patchwork cushions/pillows were made by my sister Tasha. She used a fabric called China Doll by Michael Miller to give it a retro Chinese feel, which really fits in with the decor of her house.

Both my sister and I were born and raised in Hong Kong. This has had an influence on some of our decor and crafting choices. I made some Chinese paper lanterns for the Chinese New Year. In my garden, I have some upcycled tin can faux Ming vases. My upcycled craft cupboard also in a Chinoise style.

Shanghai poster pillarboxblue.com

How to Make A Hexagon Patchwork Cushion/Pillow

If Chinoise is not your style, you can use any patterned fabric to make these gorgeous cushions.

This is a really easy hand-sewn craft suitable for all levels. It is so easy to make your own hexagon patchwork cushion. Appliqueing hexagons to an existing cushion cover makes it a quicker craft than patchworking a whole cushion.

It is a quick way to update any plain cushions/pillows you have by adding some applique hexagons to the front.

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What You Need to Make a hexagon patchwork cushion

  • 3 to 4 different color fabrics. The fabric used here was China Doll by Michael Miller which can be purchase online. A fat quarter of each colorway should give you enough fabric for several cushions.
  • Rotary cutter or scissors
  • 3-inch Paper hexagon squares. These can be bought cheaply on-line or you can cut your own.
  • Ruler
  • Needle & Pins
  • Black thread for tacking
  • Thread to match the fabric
  • Cutting Board
  • Double-sided sticky tape
  • IKEA Gurli 50cm X 50cm cushion cover. Any plain cushion cover will do.
Applique Patchwork Cushion

How to make Applique Patchwork Cushion

The applique patchwork hexagons are attached to the cushions/pillows using a method that is sometimes referred to as English Paper Piecing. This method makes it easier to get neat shapes and angles with appliqued shapes.

1.. First,  iron fabric to make sure it’s completely flat before you start. Then, stick the double side tape to the middle of a paper hexagon. Stick the hexagon to the reverse side of your fabric where you want the pattern.

Paper hexagon on fabric

2. Next, using a ruler to get a 1cm edge around the hexagon, cut the fabric with a rotary cutter. Repeat with your chosen fabric pieces, you will need 7 hexagons for each cushion.

Cutting the fabric hexagons
cut hexagon fabrics

3. Next, tack the fabric to the paper hexagons. To do this first make sure the paper hexagon is centered and then secure to fabric with a pin. Fold the fabric edge over the paper hexagon and using a contrasting thread tack the folded fabric edge to the paper hexagon.

Continue tacking around the whole hexagon. Folding the fabric over the paper as you go around. When you have finished, don’t knot the end of your thread, as you will be pulling this out later.

tacked hexagons

4. Next, decided on how you want your 7 hexagons to fit together. I arranged mine with one center hexagon and 6 around the edge.

Arranged hexagons design for hexagon patchwork pillow

5. Then,  using the arranged design as your guide. whip stitch the hexagons together. Stitching at the very edges of the hexagons, just going through the fabric and not the paper hexagons.

whipstitch
Sewing the hexagons together

 6. When finished stitching the hexagon patchwork together, you will end up with a neatly sewn fabric panel consisting of seven hexagons. Carefully pin this to the cushion cover.

applique hexagon patchwork

Appliqueing The Hexagons

7. Next, Start the applique with the middle fabric hexagon. Use a thread that matches your fabric and a small running stitch neatly sew the hexagon to the cushion cover. Your stitches should go all around the very edge of the hexagon.

Bear in mind, you will need to remove the paper hexagons. However, it is easier if you can keep the paper hexagons in the patchwork panel as long as possible. As the panel keeps its shape better and is easier to work with.

That means on the outer hexagon, the paper stays in until you have appliqued all but the last side. Then, whip out the paper hexagon before attaching the last side of the hexagon to the cushion.

8. Repeat, this time going around the outer edge of the whole hexagon panel. This should be enough to securely attach the hexagons to the cushion cover.

Hexagon Patchwork Cushion
Applique patchwork cushion

 

This is a lovely project to do, as you don’t need to get your sewing machine out. It can be done slowly over time in the evenings while watching TV. The final cushion looks great I love the retro feel of the fabric and the patchwork effect.
 
These hexagon patchwork shapes are sometimes referred to as hexies. I love making hexies so much, that I used this paper hexagon method to make a denim patchwork chairs with old jeans for a really fabulous upcycle.

I’ve also made denim patchwork placemats. However, this time the hexagons were made using triangle patchwork shapes.


 

 

DIY applique hexagon patchwork pillow

If you like to make your own pillows and cushion for your home, I have some wonderful tutorials for both upcycled sweater pillows and repurposed denim pillows. The most popular being my patchwork Boho jeans pillows.

Filed Under: Crafts Tagged With: applique, Chinese, cushion, English paper piercing, hexagon, Hexies, patchwork, patchwork hexagons, pillow

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam @Threading My Way

    16th August 2015 at 9:54 am

    Great way to brighten up some plain cushions. Love the fabrics your sister has chosen.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th August 2015 at 10:23 am

      Yes a nice way to end up with some unique cushions.

      Reply
      • Pam @Threading My Way

        24th September 2015 at 11:46 am

        Hi Claire, I’ve featured your fab cushion in a roundup of scrap busting projects…

        Reply
        • Claire Armstrong

          24th September 2015 at 1:43 pm

          Thank you look forward to seeing it.

          Reply
  2. Jennifer

    15th August 2015 at 6:15 pm

    What a great job your sister did on those cute pillows! Thanks for sharing on the Weekend Blog Hop (www.myflagstaffhome.com).

    Jennifer

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th August 2015 at 6:40 pm

      Thank you !

      Reply
  3. Karen

    13th August 2015 at 10:18 pm

    These are too cute! I love the colors that she used and the simplicity of the project.
    Thanks for sharing this great tutorial at Something to Talk About!
    Karen

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th August 2015 at 6:03 am

      Thank you, the colours do look great together.

      Reply
  4. Vicki

    10th August 2015 at 4:17 pm

    Oh! I simply love this project. I adore the way you framed the image with the other fabrics and I love your color scheme.
    I have to make something like this!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th August 2015 at 4:32 pm

      Thank you, it really does fit in with the decor and is an easy sewing project.

      Reply
  5. creativejewishmom/sara

    10th August 2015 at 10:18 am

    Just love this! And fun to see what your sister has been up to as well. Haven’t done any paper piecing or quilts for that matter, but of course have lots of fabric lined up for that purpose, hope it happens soon! thanks for sharing on craft schooling sunday!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th August 2015 at 2:20 pm

      Thanks it is one of those crafts that you can do a bit of at a time, but like everything else its just a case of starting.

      Reply
  6. T'onna @ USS Crafty

    10th August 2015 at 4:30 am

    Super cute pillows! I really like those fabrics! I’d love for you to stop by the Submarine Sunday Link Party to share this crafty creation! I hope to see you there!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ The Submarine Sunday Link Party

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th August 2015 at 5:53 am

      Cheers and thank you for the invite.

      Reply
  7. Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse

    10th August 2015 at 12:36 am

    Claire! This is so cute! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the visit and sweet comment at The Dedicated House. It means the world! Feel free to share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party which goes live on Monday at 8pm CDT. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th August 2015 at 5:57 am

      Thank you and cheers for the invite.

      Reply
  8. Dimsumhoney

    9th August 2015 at 11:22 am

    I really love your sisters style!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th August 2015 at 11:58 am

      Thanks, I really like your sisters style as well !

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 50 Sewing Projects to Use Up All Those Little Scraps of Fabric - Unfines says:
    18th July 2019 at 9:16 am

    […] Hexagon Patchwork Cushion ~ Tutorial by Claire, from Pillar Box Blue     Colour Blocked Pillow with a Twist ~ Tutorial by Jann, for So Sew Easy     Quilt Block Inspired Throw Pillow ~ Tutorial by Nicki, from SewUprising     A girl can’t have too many Zippered Pouches & Accessories… Half Circle Zippered Pouch ~ Tutorial from Lula Louise […]

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  2. 50 Sewing Projects to Use Up All Those Little Scraps of Fabric - Spration says:
    2nd April 2019 at 9:53 am

    […] Hexagon Patchwork Cushion ~ Tutorial by Claire, from Pillar Box Blue     Colour Blocked Pillow with a Twist ~ Tutorial by Jann, for So Sew Easy     Quilt Block Inspired Throw Pillow ~ Tutorial by Nicki, from SewUprising     A girl can’t have too many Zippered Pouches & Accessories… Half Circle Zippered Pouch ~ Tutorial from Lula Louise […]

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  3. How to make a denim patchwork chair - Pillar Box Blue says:
    24th May 2017 at 9:57 am

    […] Paper piecing ago and are tempted to try it. You may want to try with an easier project such as my Chinese applique patchwork cushion/pillow.       Or you may want to check out my other denim upholstery tutorials. Ikea Hack […]

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  4. Great Ideas -- 20 DIY Home Decor Projects! says:
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