Machine Piecing Tutorial Marmelade and Jam

Happy Rest Day!
I thought I'd get started with the tutorial Frances Leate gave me permission to share with you.
It is found in this issue of Australian Patchwork and Quilting.  I found it in Canada just before Christmas.  You may be able to still find it in your Local Quilt Store....
Here is a picture of the cover, so you will know you are getting the correct issue

Australian Patchwork & Quilting, Issue number: Vol 19 No 8. 

Here is a link to the pages with the article and pictures.  I couldn't copy and paste the magazine pictures, I guess for copyright reasons.  But that's ok, we can make do. 

http://craftlovers.com/magazines/91-australian-patchwork-quilting/10491-australian-patchwork-quilting
 
Here's what my finished mini-quilt looks like!

So, let's get started!
1.  The pattern sheets have the templates and I enlarged mine by 150% on a photocopier.  They DO NOT include 1.4 inch seam allowance.  I found 3 fat quarters were all that were needed for the top, plus borders, depending on what and how many hexagons you would like.  I made 12 hexagons.  So if you want more hexagons, especially if you want to fussy cut them, you will need for fabric.  For the basic 3 pieces of hexagons A, triangles B and trapazoid pieces C, I used one fat quarter for each template. 
If you are making all your templates now, for machine piecing, I cut the larger Template E (you will need 20 pieces of E) rather than D.  I also cut Template G rather than F.
2.  Then, I cut out the enlarged paper templates and redrew them onto plain paper, adding the 1/4 inch seam allowance all the way around.  I labelled them by piece and added how many to cut out, so I could make sure I didn't screw up! 
3.  On these new paper templates, I marked the number of pieced I needed:
Template A:  12 pieces
Template B:  72 pieces (6 per hexagon x 12 hexagons).  I used all the same fabric, but you could use some scraps as Frances did. 
Template C:  72 pieces (6 per hexagon x 12 hexagons), ie: if you want to use scrappy pieces.
Template D E:  20 pieces
Template F G: 16 pieces, but 1/2 are reversed.  I found when I cut E from squares, I automatically got G pieces and 1/2 of them were reversed!  Bonus!!
4. I took theses new templates and transfered them to template plastic, of course labelling them, including the grain direction.  If you are using a directional fabric with strips, etc, this is important for the final piecing.
I tried using a transfer marker to draw out the templates on the back of the fabric, but I found it didn't really work for me.  In the first one I made, I marked and fussy cut the hexagons from the back so I would get the roses centred in the hexagon template.  Just use a method that will work for you, ie the KISS method.  LOL!
5.  Personally, I like to cut strips, then cut out the pieces.
To make it easier for you, here are the strip and block sizes:
A:  4 and 3/4 strips cut into 4 3/4 squares, the squares cut down around the template
B:  2 3/8 inch strips, and I flipped the template so the grain line was along the bottom, then top of the strip to minimize waste
C:  1 3/8 inch strips, cut into 1 3/8 x 2 1/4 inch blocks, then trim around the template
E:  2 3/4 inch strips, cut into 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 inch blocks
G:  left overs from the 2 1/4 inch blocks, including the reverse pieces.
6.  Once all your pieces are cut (more depending on how many you want or how big you want your mini-quilt).  Sort them, then lay them out as you see in the picture to ease your piecing.  This hexagon is already pieced, but you will see how to lay out your pieces.

Whew!  I think that is enough for today!  If you have any questions, just leave a comment below and I'll adjust the tutorial or email me at lesquilts@gmail.com.
Have fun!  More to follow tomorrow....
Take care, Leslie