If you've been following along with my projects, you know I love a good challenge — but I also love a project that's practical. And right now, I'm combining both with a fun little hexie project I've been wanting to try for ages.
Why Hexies? Why Now?
I'll be honest: I've always been a little hesitant about hexagons. The traditional English Paper Piecing (EPP) method — cutting templates, basting fabric around them, hand-stitching them together, and then removing all those papers — just never appealed to me. It felt fiddly and time-consuming in a way that didn't spark joy.
But I have some travel coming up, and I wanted a portable hand-sewing project I could take with me. Something small, satisfying, and easy to pack. So I started looking around for options.
Enter: Amish Hexies
Then I stumbled across a video on Amish hexies — and everything changed. Unlike EPP hexies, which are built around a paper hexagon template, Amish hexies are made from circles. That's right — you start with a circle of fabric, fold and stitch it into a hexagon shape, and then join them together. No templates to baste. No papers to remove. Just fabric, needle, and thread.
I was immediately hooked.
What I Love About This Method
No templates needed — just cut your circles and go
Truly portable — perfect for travel, waiting rooms, or cozy evenings on the couch
Meditative hand stitching — slow, satisfying, and screen-free
Scrappy-friendly — a great way to use up small fabric pieces
Cutting the Circles Efficiently
Once I decided to dive in, my first question was: what's the most efficient way to cut all these circles? I found my answer in the True Cut 360 Circle Cutter — and it has been a game changer. (Not available in the store, but we can place an order for those interested. There is also an Olfa circle cutter that I bought to test out, but I haven't used it yet.)
I won't lie, there was a bit of trial and error at first. It wasn't working for me initially, and I eventually figured out why: I was trying to cut on a small mat on a soft surface. The key is to stand at a firm table with a proper cutting mat underneath. Once I made that switch, I was able to zoom through my scraps — cutting multiple layers of fabric at once. After that, I was completely obsessed!
Rather than reinvent the wheel with a new video, here are some links I recommend to get a feel for the technique:
One of my absolute favourite things about this project? It is perfect for scrap busting. I have soooo many scraps, and these little hexies are a wonderful way to work through them. Every fabric tells a little story — a remnant from a past project, a favourite print, a fun novelty fabric I couldn't resist.
Right now I've just been working away on them in the evenings while I watch TV. It's the kind of hand sewing that's relaxing and productive at the same time — my favourite combination!
A Few Tips I've Picked Up
As with any new technique, there's a bit of a learning curve. Here's what I've discovered along the way:
They won't always be perfectly even — and that's okay! The slight irregularity is actually part of the traditional charm of this style.
Imperfect circles can still work. If you miss cutting a small section of your circle, don't toss it — you can still use it if you plan your stitching carefully.
You can use either side. Some people prefer the smooth side; others use the folded side facing out and embellish with beads or buttons for a fun, decorative touch. Both are beautiful!
What's Next
I'm just getting started, but I'm already loving the process. I'll be sharing more as the project comes together — including fabric choices, tips I pick up along the way, and of course, the finished piece (eventually!). I haven't decided what I'm going to make with them yet, but stay tuned!
Have you tried Amish hexies before? I'd love to hear your experience in the comments below!
