Half Hexagon Bag

Would you like to get the look of paper pieced hexagons without handsewing or Y-seams? Half hexagons are the perfect solution and Sizzix now as a Half-Hexagon Die. I made this zip bag, measuring 7″ x 10″, using the Half Hexagon Die and an assortment of fabrics from my stash. To begin, I cut 40 half hexagons and arranged them in rows of four.

You need to sew the half hexagon sections together in rows first, matching the angled seams right sides together and stitch using a 1/4″ seam (see image above.)

Five rows will complete one side of your bag. If you look carefully at the photo above, you will see that I ironed my seams open. When I went to sew my rows together, I found that it was much easier to be precise in matching the seams when I ironed the seams to one side and alternated direction from row to row so that the seams nest. Learn from my mistake and start out ironing your seams to the side!

You can see what I mean by looking at this image of the back. I did iron open the seams that join the rows together.

You will need to create two panels like the one above.

Square up the right and left sides of the panels. Then attach fusible fleece to the back of each panel and quilt in the ditch.

Next, cut two pieces of coordinating fabric for the lining, cut to the same size as your front panels. You will need a 10″ zipper with tabs sewn to each end, cut to size to match the length of your pouch.

Lay your quilted front face up, followed by your zipper face down and your lining face down. Stitch 1/4″ along the upper edge.

Iron the lining to the inside and edgestitch along the top of the quilted panel.

Next, lay your second piece of lining face up, followed by the other lining/zipper/front combo lining side down, and then the second quilted panel right side down. Stitch along the top with a 1/4″ seam.

Open out and iron the lining to the inside and edgestitch again.

This is a view of the lining side at this stage. Open your zipper part way.

Next, rearrange your bag so that the right sides of the front are together and the right sides of the lining are together. Stitch around the perimeter with a 1/4″ seam leaving an opening in the lining for turning. Turn, press, and blind stitch the lining closed.

I embellished the bag with a felt flower (felt from National Nonwovens). I used the Flower Layers with Heart Petals Dies and a button from BasicGrey.

While this project still takes a little time, sewing together 40 little pieces, it saves so much time over English Paper Piecing and is a fun alternative!

Supplies: http://www.sizzix.com/product/658119/sizzix-bigz-die-half-hexagon-2-1-4-sides http://www.sizzix.com/product/658053/sizzix-bigz-die-flower-layers-w-heart-petals http://www.basicgrey.com/fabric/shop/product/fab-8073/category:vintage_buttons http://www.commonwealthfelt.com/ http://www.thermowebonline.com/p/heatnbond-fleece-fusible-high-loft-white-22-in-x-1-yard-pack http://www.etsy.com/shop/zipit