Beginner's Guide To Quilting - UK (2020-04)

Hexagon

laptop case

Get to grips with a truly portable technique and

make this fun gadget cosy. By Rebecca Reid

P

atchwork might be a traditional
craft, but it’s infinitely
adaptable to the modern world.
This wonderfully simple project is
ideal for quilting beginners and is
easy to pick up whenever you have a
few moments to spare, without having
to remember where you got to! This
stylish and cosy laptop case is lined
and padded to keep your precious
computer safe. It makes a great gift
too – adapt the size to suit e-readers,
tablets, phones and more.

CUTTING THE FABRIC
Step 1 Trace the hexagon shape on
page 101 and cut it out from thin card
to make a template.

Step 2 I t c a n b e u s ef u l to s ketc h a
layout diagram to work out how many
whole, half and part hexagons you
need to cover your laptop. Use the
card template to cut out the correct
number of paper hexagons. Office
paper or freezer paper works well.

Step 3 Once you’ve cut out all your
paper shapes, pin them onto your
cotton fabrics (or iron on if you’re using

YOU WILL NEED

Materials

Q Basic quilting kit, see page 16

Q Cotton fabrics: a selection of

different prints and colours (or

one charm pack)

Q Cotton lining fabric: 11x28½in

(28x72cm), in a co-ordinating

print

Q Wadding (2oz): 13x30in

(33x76cm)

Q Cotton backing fabric: 13x30in

(33x76cm)

Q Cord for button loop: 5in (13cm)

Q Button

Q Quilting thread

Q Hexagon template on page 101

Seam allowance

Q ¼in (6mm)

Finished size

Q 10½x14in (27x36cm) – to fit a 13in

laptop

freezer paper). If you’re using a charm

pack, you can cut one whole

hexagon from each square.

Step 4 Tr i m t h e fa b r i c ¼i n ( 6 m m)

outside the edge of each hexagon

shape all the way around.^1

Step 5 Turn the edges of the fabric

over to the back of the paper and

tack into place, folding the corners

neatly as you go.^2 3 4

Step 6 Arrange the hexagons on a

flat surface until you’re happy with

the placement and pattern.

SEWING THE PATCHWORK

Step 7 Take two hexagons and place

them right sides together, then whip

stitch (see page 94) along the two

sides which will sit next to each other.

Be careful not to sew through the

backing paper and try to make the

stitches small for a neat look.

Step 8 Continue joining the hexagon

pieces together in this way, working

on one seam at a time until all the

hexagons are joined together.

Exploring Shapes

Beginner’s Guide to Quilting 91

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