Hexa-Go-Go: English Paper Piecing - 16 Quilt Projects

by Tacha Bruecher

Fat Quarterly Magazine co-founder Tacha Bruecher takes a fresh look at an old favorite English paper-pieced hexagons with current fabrics and settings for quilts, table toppers, and more. Modern and traditional designs are both featured, including rosettes, stars, and free form. Learn how to combine settings and how to creatively quilt hexagons. Projects are varied for any skill level or time commitment make a few hexagons, make a few more, or make few hundred. Making the individual hexagons are perfect for modern quilters on the go; they are terrific stash busters (and stress busters) that take your priceless handwork from repetitive to remarkable!

Genres: Quilting, Crafts, Sewing, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm super lucky to have the opportunity to do some book reviews for C&T Publishing, including Stash Books.
One of the books is Hexa Go-Go by Tacha Bruecher, one of the geniuses behind Fat Quarterly.


Hexa Go-Go is all about English Paper Piecing (EPP) and has 16 different patterns that use hexagons, in all different settings.


Tacha does a really good job explaining how to make hexies, and gives different methods, for making, basting and stitching together the hexies, depending on the project and your personal preference.

One of the things I really have found in quilting in general is that there are a lot of "right" ways of doing things. Which one is right for you depends on a lot of different variables. Tacha understands that and gives instructions that everyone should be able to understand and work into their own style.

Not surprisingly the book has some serious eye candy! Both Fat Quarterly and Stash Books have a real flair for capturing the feel of quilts and projects and not just the physical dimensions.

Tacha does a great job taking what is a very traditional shape and making it into very modern designs.
This isn't Grandmother's Flower Garden!
Between the fabrics, the arrangement of the hexagons, and the addition of other elements, hexagons leave the 1930s and come blasting into the 21st century!

Hexa-Go-Go Hexies are a great stash buster and all of the projects in Hexa-Go-Go can be made mostly from scraps, or from precuts or yardage. Whatever the look you prefer you can make it with these projects. From placemats to full bed quilts there is something for everyone, whether you just want to dip your toe into the EPP pond or if you're a full blown hexie addict.

With this book available there is no reason for anyone to say they can't make a hexie project, on the "go-go"!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I ever lose my mind and decide to make a hexa quilt - this book has lots of ideas for variations from the traditional patterns

[Jacqueline M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to EPP and specifically the famous hexagon. The instructions for this book are very clear and the pictures are high quality. I enjoyed looking at the various projects, though there are only maybe 2 of the 16 that might actually interest me. Most of these designs use the EPP rosettes as applique which is so not my jam. I hate applique. So while there are EPP elements, the majority of the project will be standard machine piecing and finishing. I did like her instructions for using a machine to connect your rosettes. EPP is traditionally a handwork exercise only, so this technique might make it more accessible for those who are intimidated by the idea of thousands of hours of handwork (Me? This is what I do in airports when traveling for work so this is not an issue for me)

Overall, this is a nice book for both beginners and advanced quilters but I probably wouldn't buy it for my collection. I would check it out from the library again, though.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to look at, but too complicated for me!

[4cats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for anyone interested in epp

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to start some of these!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most useful for my purposes... worth checking out again

[Reading with Cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly, I have a feeling my sewing skills will never be equal to the projects in this book. Nice inspiration, though.

[. · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s 2 methods for hexagons, it was educational but I won’t be using the techniques or patterns from this book.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original, quirky, modern, fascinating! Wonderful pictures, diverse ideas for using hexagons. Thoroughly enjoyable read. Tacha's enthusiasm and creativity are catching!

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on modernizing the hexagon English paper piecing. I found some nice inspiration, but wouldn't likely make any of the projects out right. If I did, I'd probably go for more traditional color schemes. But the instructions and introductory material were well presented and clear.

[Sheila Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab book, great reference book but lots of great patterns both large and small, very good clear instructions

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some cute patterns and it did what it said was the goal: modern hexagon patterns. It just wasn't what I happened to be looking for.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth buying-I found five wonderful patterns. I plan on making the "over-the-rainbow" first.

[Connie Marx · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think she did A great job going through all the possabilities of quilting with hexigons. I used to think it would be to much to go through them, but I am now kind of excited to try them.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring book - will have to keep an eye out to see if I can find a copy on sale or in a destash -- I really want to make the Union Jack quilt

[Zippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several projects that I liked. Did not make any. Would like to check this book out again.

[Ellen Spes]

Own it