What This Half Hexi Template Is
The Project Jelly Roll Half Hexi Template is a 2.5-inch half hexagon template in bright fluorescent green. It was made to be just the right size for use with Jelly Rolls — pre-cut 2.5-inch-wide fabric strips. Instead of measuring and marking a half hexagon freehand every time, you place the template on your strip and cut the same accurate shape again and again. Each piece finishes at 2 inches by 4.5 inches, so your half hexis come out consistent from the first strip to the last.
A half hexagon, often shortened to half hexi, is one half of a hexagon. Sew two half hexis together and you get a full hexagon look, but with a straight seam that is much easier to piece on a sewing machine than a traditional hexagon.
Why Quilters and Sewists Use It
Jelly Rolls are convenient, but it is easy to fall into making only strip quilts with them. This template opens up a new set of designs from the same 2.5-inch strips, with no extra measuring. Because the template is sized to the strip width, there is very little waste — the strip width becomes the height of your half hexi.
Consistency is the other big benefit. Half hexi quilts rely on rows fitting together neatly. If every piece is cut with the same template, seams line up more reliably and rows stay straight. The fluorescent green color also helps the template stand out on patterned and dark fabrics.
How to Use It, Step by Step
- Prepare your strips. Choose Jelly Roll strips and press them flat. Accurate cutting starts with flat fabric.
- Place the template on the strip. Lay the template on the strip so its long edges align with the long edges of the strip, and check that it sits squarely before you cut.
- Cut around the template. Hold the template firmly so it does not shift, and cut around its angled and short edges with your rotary cutter, keeping your fingers clear of the cutting path.
- Flip for the next cut. Reposition the template for the next piece so the angled cuts nest together and waste stays low. Continue along the strip until it is used up.
- Lay out before you sew. Arrange your half hexis in rows and play with color placement. Two half hexis joined along their long edge form a hexagon shape, and rows can be offset or mirrored for different effects.
- Sew and press. Join pieces with a consistent seam allowance, press as your pattern directs, then join the rows, checking that points and edges meet as they should.
Practical Tips
- Cut a test piece first. Cut one half hexi from a spare strip end and check it before cutting a whole Jelly Roll.
- Keep the template still. Most cutting errors come from the template shifting mid-cut. Hold it flat with your whole hand, and reposition your hand — not the template — as you work around it.
- Sort as you cut. Stack cut pieces by color or print as you go. A sorted stack makes layout faster and helps you spread colors evenly.
- Watch the angles. Half hexis can be turned several ways, and it is easy to sew a row upside down. Lay out each row fully and check orientation before sewing.
Care and Storage
Wipe the template clean after cutting so lint does not build up along its edges. Store it flat, away from heavy items, with your other rulers and templates so it is easy to find.
Project Ideas
Half hexi quilts are the classic use: join pairs into hexagon motifs or sew long rows for a modern, geometric quilt top made from one Jelly Roll or several coordinated strips. The same pieces work well for table runners, placemats, tote bag panels, and pillow fronts. It is also a satisfying way to use leftover Jelly Roll strips — cut them all to the same shape and they will piece together as if they were bought as a set.
Shop the Project Jelly Roll Half Hexi Template at Linda's Electric Quilters.
