marks1009 writes: I made this years ago, using scraps from dresses I had made in high school and college, so it's a real 'memory' quilt!

Thoughts on finishing edges:
1) cut hexagons in half (point to point), finish the short edges like the whole hexagons, and sew into the gaps to make a straight edge, then bind with long strips (I used green like the 'paths' between my flowers).
2) cut long strips with the same 'saw tooth' pattern as the edge of the quilt, put the strip right side down on top of the quilt, and sew like the facing of a blouse by following along the edges, and turning carefully in each corner. Turning the corners will be tricky -- might want to add interfacing to make the points a little stiffer. Be sure to trim across the corners and clip the inside 'V's, as you would a shirt collar. You'll want to top stitch/quilt close to the edge to keep everything in place.

Posted: 4:21 pm on August 8th

nazianz writes: I am making a Grand Mothers Flower Garden quilt. I have made the "flowers" 18 pieces around the last row. I want to connect the flowers without a border around each one. I want to sew them to each other to creat a different look. Can anyone tell me how to connect these and come out even??? Thanks
Posted: 3:12 pm on July 21st

Eternal_Clouds writes: i love it cant wait to try it out
Posted: 10:48 am on March 8th

PatInLondon writes: I made a baby quilt using the Grandmother's flower garden (and plastic hexagons which can be reused), and it was great. Love the hand piecing and hand quilting. But I am having a diffuclt time binding it as I did not make it with straight edges. Any advice, please? Thank you!!
Posted: 9:19 am on February 13th

iHanna writes: Thank you, it's a great tutorial and a fun way to use paper-piecing that will not be a big quilt (not a good starting point...). I've recently made several balls using paper-piecing and you can find my tutorial and pattern here

How to handsew a patchwork ball! Enjoy!
Posted: 5:44 pm on September 15th

pauleena writes: I'm inspired. I am a real hand stitcher. Your instructions are beautiful. I am going to try this in taffeta. Yes!
Posted: 8:28 pm on September 14th

Char50 writes: Instead of having to print out and cut out all the hexagons,
you can buy a package of 50 reusable mylar hexagons that can be popped out after stitching. This is one link I found to them.

http://www.connectingthreads.com/tools/mylar+hexagons_TDMylarHexagons.html

Char
Posted: 1:08 pm on September 14th

AuntB93 writes: Re-reading the instructions, I note that the fusable interfacing was specific to that project. Yes, it's probably pretty sensible in that use. Sorry if I've misled anyone.
Posted: 8:54 pm on September 13th

AuntB93 writes: Irranch, the easiest way to finish off the edges is to whip-stitch them together just as you did for the piecing. I made a few smaller projects using hexagons, and that's what I did. Just be sure the saw-tooth edges are on the sides, and put half-hexagons in the spaces at top and bottom to make a smooth edge where it will go under your chin.

By the way, I have two differences with the person who did the illustrations.

(1) I never used fusible interfacing for a paper-piece project. Instead, I just basted the pieced motif to the background fabric, papers and all. Then appliqued it into place. When it was completely closed with nice fine applique stitches, I went to the background and cut away all but a quarter-inch of the background. This exposes the papers. Then pull out your basting stitches (You always make sure your knots are on the right side, of course) and pop the papers. Doesn't get stiffer than regular fabric that way.

(2) I used somewhat smaller basting stitches that the pictures illustrate. You want to be sure your sides stay nice and smooth, your corners neatly tucked in, for when you do your whipstitches. This is especially important if you are doing more than one shape, as in the Ferris Wheel design. You can lose track of those corners awfully easily when you are putting hexagons, squares and triangles all together.

I always bought pre-cut paper pieces from http://www.paperpieces.com
Posted: 8:50 pm on September 13th

bj29 writes: If you use freezer paper for the templates they can be ironed onto the fabric.
Posted: 7:41 pm on September 13th

lrranch writes: I am paper piecing a grandmother's flower garden quilt. I want to leave the edge natural. How do I quilt and bind the edges?
Posted: 11:09 am on September 11th

PipStitch writes: Thanks for a great tutorial! I really want to try this now.
Posted: 7:10 pm on September 6th

LindaPermann writes: I love how this turned out- it's on my "to try" list now!
Posted: 12:49 pm on September 5th

Sister_Diane writes: What a great tutorial! And I love this project. Thank you!
Posted: 12:35 pm on September 5th