Sexy Hexies

There’s something deeply satisfying about English Paper Piecing. Watching tiny 2" hexagons click together into something bigger feels like magic.

Time-consuming? Absolutely. First, you’re punching hexagon templates out of whatever cardstock is lying around—junk mail, cereal boxes, Amazon packaging. Then comes the hunt for just the right fabric images to center in each piece. Add the careful cutting, wrapping seam allowances, and a little glue or stitching to lock them in place. Press them flat, line them up, and suddenly these little suckers start to sing.

It’s fussy, it’s meditative, and when the pattern finally comes together, it’s worth every minute. 

I’ve always been drawn to Charley Harper’s illustrations. A Cincinnati artist with a sharp mid-century modern vibe, his work hits that sweet spot between playful and timeless. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with the Charley Harper End Papers fabric collection.

After ordering fat quarters in every color I could get my hands on, I started plotting how to savor every little animal tucked into the design. Enter the power of the HEXIE! I carefully cut as many motifs as possible from each fat quarter, even tracking down the same prints in barkcloth. Pretty soon, my imagination was pulling me toward a pillow design inspired by one of my favorite patterns from Modern Handcraft.

After weeks of cutting, gluing, stitching, ironing, and quilting, I’m almost ready to release a new batch of throw pillows in the Hooplethreads shop. Each one has been pieced together with extensive time and care. I can’t wait to see them land in homes where they’ll be loved and enjoyed for years to come.