Monday, October 8, 2012

Hexagon Help Needed!

Hi everybody --

I have been trying to print the hexagon template for the October block and I'm not having much luck getting the right size.  My printed hexagons are 4.5" across.  The label to the template says "2.5 inch hexagon" -- but the sides are only about 2 and 3/8".

Anybody having any luck yet?  I could get out my son's geometry set soon and draw my own -- but given that they need to fit with other blocks, I'd feel much better using a template that everyone else is using.

Please post if you have any solutions.  Thanks!  Meg

8 comments:

  1. Hi Meg, (and everyone!) I just printed off hexagons from the link. Mine also measure
    2 and 3/8 on each side and 4 and 1/4 across.
    Jennifer

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  2. Hi girls,
    I am happy to say I have printed my hexagons and they are the correct size, 4 inches across (although the sides are actually 2 and 1/4). I'm afraid I have no suggestions as to why you are having trouble. Genevieve did say she could email the document if you had difficulty. Hope that helps!!

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  3. Hi!

    Just measured my squares I printed out again. My squares measure 4" across the middle, from side to side. The edges are only about 2 1/4". Let me know if you are still have problems, and I'll see if sending the document to you makes any difference.

    Genevieve

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  4. Meg, thanks for making me check! I would have just cut blindly, assuming my template was correct...but my template is also 4.5" wide... I think I'll wait till next week to do my cutting and spend this week looking for fabric. Genevieve, can you bring your template with you?

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  5. Yup, I'll bring a bunch of squares for the Waterloo meet up next week. :)

    Genevieve

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  6. Hi All!

    I've been trying to figure out how to scale the hexagons properly for those who are having difficulty. I was wondering if you could try 2 things for me. First, when you go to print select "US letter" under the Page Setup tab. If that doesn't work, try scaling down to 85% and see if that does it.
    If none of that works I am happy to mail out a bunch of the paper hexagons to those who need them. Just let me know.
    Hope this helps a bit...
    Genevieve

    (Sorry for all the trouble! I didn't really think about this issue when I decided to to it)

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  7. Hmmm, just tried to post a comment but no luck. I will try again, and apologies if you're all reading this a second time.

    I messed around with the computer for awhile, then decided that the photo in the original instruction blog could not be any simpler, 4" from point to point. So, with a couple of simple tools, I made my own template. Here is how I did it if you're having trouble with the printing: Draw a line, exactly 4" long. Using your 60 degree ruler, draw a second line, 60 degrees to the first line and bisecting the first line at exactly its middle point (2"). Repeat, drawing a third line at 120 degrees to the first line, again taking care to bisect the first line at exactly the center point. You should now have 3 lines in an asterisk-type shape. Measuring from the center point, mark each side of each line at 2" from the center point. Connect the marks, and voila! Perfect 4" hexagon.

    My block is coming together quickly now -- will post a pic when I finish. Looking forward to meeting the Waterloo girls on the 16th! xo Meg

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  8. Impressive instructions, Meg! I am lazy (and still suffer from the inability to be able to be consistently precise with my measuring and cutting of multiple pieces)! I mail ordered pre-made paper hexagon templates! I think this technique is something I want to pursue for myself after I have made the pieces for Genevieve so I figured I could use a bulk stash of 280 hexagons!

    Can't wait to see your finished hexagons and photos of all of you girls at the Waterloo meeting. I am so jealous that I can't be there too!
    Jennifer

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