Magical Hexagons: Simple Steps to Dynamic Designs [Paperback]

Martha Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2002

Give hexagons an all-new twist with this "magical" method! Discover a simplified method for cutting, sewing, and recutting hexagons into beautiful, unexpected designs. You'll love the results you get from playing with this one-of-a-kind technique.

· Choose from 10 eye-popping projects--simply stitch hexagons together, cut triangles from the piece, and re-sew them in easy rows to create vibrant, swirling patterns

· Discover special tips for cutting and piecing that eliminate any anxiety over matching points; large templates with built-in angles do away with complicated calculations

· Use leftover hexagons from one project to make another gorgeous quilt--just rearrange shapes or add a new fabric for a totally different look

Combine hexagons and straight-line piecing for stunning quilts that only look difficult to piece!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hometown: Seattle, Washington

Magical Hexagons is Martha Thompson's third book with Martingale & Company. She operates her own pattern-design company and shares her inventive quiltmaking techniques through lectures and teaching engagements.

Also by Martha Thompson: Square Dance (ISBN 1-56477-121-0)

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Martingale and Company (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564773973
• ISBN-13: 978-1564773975
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,309,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Technique, Awesome Quilts needs 10 stars!, January 2, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Magical Hexagons: Simple Steps to Dynamic Designs (Paperback)

Ok...I'll have to come back after I get the book, which I'm purchasing shortly. However, I just watched "Simply Quilts" on HGTV (Jan 2, 1:30pm program) and this was the topic and they showed this book. Her technique was fabulous!!! Go to HGTV.com and look it up under the "Simply Quilts" program and you'll see an example of her work. It's episode QLT-821 or look in their episode list. Then come back here and buy the book (they have a link back to amazon.com). The quilts look gorgeous & impossibly difficult, but she makes them incredibly easy. Her technique is very direct & straightforward. I'm dying to start a quilt and get the book. Update: It took quite a while to get the book, but it was worth the wait. Made the Swirligig Wreath the first week I had the book: IT WORKED & LOOKED GREAT!!! And I only started quilting a couple months ago. Follow her directions when triangles overlap. Cut between...it works!

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Fun!!!, July 23, 2004

By 

M. Monson "monsonmm" (Graham, Washington USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magical Hexagons: Simple Steps to Dynamic Designs (Paperback)

Never being an ace at geometry, it is such a pleasure when someone else figures it out and put it such simple terms. I received the book 3 days ago, after being captivated by the Simply Quilts episode, and have made 3 of the Swirligig Wreaths, which makes a beautiful table centers for everyday or elegant use. When I opened my stash cabinet the ideas just jump out. Now I am planning a full sized quilt!! You will love this book for its simple instructions and the complicated look. Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very strange technique, March 16, 2007

By 

hillcountrygirl "hillcountrygirl" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magical Hexagons: Simple Steps to Dynamic Designs (Paperback)

I bought this book used because of the two glowing reviews and the pretty quilt on the cover. I have been quilting for over ten years, have 50-60 quilting books in my library, and I have to say that this is the most convoluted technique I have ever seen. To make the type of block you see on the cover, the author wants you to cut dessert plate sized hexagons, sew them together with all the Y seams, then cut triangles along the seams of hexagon quilt top. Rotating the triangles you make stars. The technique is done with templates, marking, and scissors. I am experienced enough that I don't shy away from Y-seams and templates, but those stars can be made much more easily and faster by rotary cutting strip sets. If you really have a thing against rotary cutting, why not just cut the individual templates out for the stars? At least you don't have to do Y-seams and then hack all your work apart again. Very strange book.