Free hand piecing patchwork templates + tutorial

Templates are one of our favourite pieces of kit for getting neat results from our hand piecing! If you haven’t used templates like these before, download our free set and find out how to use them below...

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Published: September 20, 2019 at 10:41 am

Templates are one of our favourite pieces of kit for getting neat results from our hand piecing! We featured a set of free Jewel, Hexie and Kit patchwork templates back in issue 31 of Today's Quilter.

If you haven’t used templates like these before, here’s how to use them…

Don't have a set of our free templates? Download the shapes here:

Free hand piecing templates (PDF)

Our Jewel & Hexie and Kite templates will help you create all sorts of beautiful hand-pieced designs. As well as these named shapes, you can use them to make half-hexies and large or small triangles, and arrange them to make your own beautiful creations. From tessellated hexagons and pyramids to kaleidoscopic stars and flowers, mix and match and let your imagination take over.

Let's get started!

Step 1

Place the template on the wrong side of the fabric. Draw around all edges for the jewel, or three then rotate to complete the hexie (Fig 1).

How to use patchwork templates step 1

Step 2

Holding the template still, mark the seam allowance dots through the holes (Fig 2).

How to use patchwork templates step 2

Step 3

Remove the template (Fig 3). Repeat to mark as many shapes as required for the pattern.

How-to-use-patchwork-templates-step-3-

Step 4

Carefully cut out each shape along the lines using scissors or a small blade rotary cutter (Fig 4).

How to use patchwork templates step 4

Step 5

Your shape is now ready to use. Turn to page 36 for Jane Alcock’s tips on how to stitch them together (Fig 5).

How to use patchwork templates step 5

Step 6

For a half-hexie, draw around the top three sides and mark the dots. Align the ¼in line on your ruler with the dots and complete the shape (Fig 6).

How-to-use-patchwork-templates-step-6

Ta da! Now you’ve cut out your fabric pieces, check out Jane Alcock’s guide for how to hand piece them to make these eye-catching cushions in issue 31 of Today’s Quilter, available through our app for Google Play or Apple Newsstand.

Hand pieced patchwork cushions