How to Make Quilted Wall Art

Fair warning: This ultra-easy, old-school sewing project will change the way you think about leftover fabric (and quilting) forever. Once you get the hang of the technique, you can turn anything into pro-level, utterly modern art.

March 20, 2020

Photo by: Lauren Oster

Lauren Oster

Materials Needed

  • embroidery needle
  • frame
  • optional: iron
  • optional: packing tape

Photo by: Lauren Oster

Lauren Oster

Measure and Cut Fabric Scraps

Download, print and cut out hexagon templates in the size of your choice. We used just over two sheets of the 1-inch hexagons available for free here to create our finished 8”x10” framed artwork (Image 1). Tip: Double down on your upcycling by printing or tracing your hexagons on scrap computer paper. (There’s historical precedent for that: when this technique first became popular in the early 19th century, quilters re-used letters, catalogs and newspapers.) Pin the templates to the back side of fabric scraps, then cut around each template, leaving a 1/4" border on all sides (Image 2).

Baste Fabric to Templates

Fold the overlapping 1/4" of fabric over one side of the hexagon template (Image 1). Hold the fold in place with your thumb and forefinger, then baste the fabric to the template, beginning with a knot on the underside of the template and stitching through the layers (Image 2). Come back up through the layers a 1/4" along the side of the hexagon, and make two more small stitches in the same direction. When you reach the corner, fold down the next side of the hexagon and continue stitching and turning until you arrive back at your knot. Bring the needle back up through the top of the fabric, the template, and the folded-over back of the fabric one last time, then cut the thread, leaving a small unknotted “tail” at the end (Images 3 and 4).

Create Pattern and Label Hexagons

Arrange the basted hexagons in a pattern of your choice (Image 1). Tip: Create an abstract design of this size with eight rows of hexagons, beginning with a top row of six pieces, continuing with a row of five below it, then alternating rows of six and five, for a total of 44 hexagons. Flip each hexagon over in place, then label it with a row and number (A1, A2, A3, and so on) as a reminder of where it will appear in the finished pattern (Image 2). Tip: Take a smartphone photo of the flipped and numbered hexagons to use as a reference image as you sew. Once you’ve taken that photo, separate a two-hexagon, three-hexagon, two-hexagon “flower” (here, A1 and A2; B1, B2 and B3; C1 and C2) to begin sewing (Image 3).

Sandwich and Whip-Stitch Hexagons

Flip the hexagons in the "flower" so their fabric sides are visible again, then choose an adjoining pair of hexagons (here, B1 and B2) and sandwich them together with their fabric sides facing inward (Image 1). Sew them together using small whip stitches — that is, starting from beneath both pieces, pulling your needle up through both of them, then bringing your needle back up from below to create a second stitch just above the first — to catch just the edges of the folds where their sides meet (Image 2). Stop whip-stitching when you reach the edge of where the hexagons are sandwiched together (Image 3), then check your reference image and create a second cloth-in sandwich with another adjoining hexagon — here, A2. Whip-stitch the adjoining sides of the second and third hexagons together (Image 4). Continue sandwiching and whip-stitching adjoining hexagons (Image 5) until the six petals of the flower are all attached to its central piece, then go back, sandwich and whip-stitch the adjoining borders between each of the petals.

Create and Combine Flowers

Using your numbered reference photo as a guide, continue creating flowers with contiguous groups of hexagons (Images 1 and 2). When you’re down to flowers and a few stray hexagons, refer to your photo one more time and arrange them to match your original design (Image 3). Sandwich flowers and strays along contiguous edges according to your design, then whip-stitch them together (Image 4). Continue sandwiching and sewing until all adjoining hexagons are whip-stitched together (Image 5).

Remove Basting Stitches and Paper Templates

Flip your piece so that the basting stitches are facing up, then use your needle to pull those stitches out, starting at each loose tail and ending with your original knot (Image 1). Remove the paper template from each hexagon after pulling out its basting stitches (Images 2 and 3). Repeat until all templates are removed (Images 4 and 5).

Flatten and Frame Fabric

If your cloth hexagons became creased as you whip-stitched them, steam them gently with an iron. Place your finished piece face-down on top of your frame’s glass (if used), then center the frame’s backing on top (Image 1). Tip: Use small pieces of packing tape to secure overlapping edges of the fabric to the back of the frame. Place the glass-fabric-backing sandwich in your frame and secure it (Image 2).

Proudly Display

Hang your completed wall art in an area where you'll be able to enjoy your colorful and crafty handiwork.

Photo by: Lauren Oster

Lauren Oster

Next Up

Make an Easy-to-Sew Lined Tote Bag

Custom tote bags can add to a fun personal fashion statement. Learn how to make a lined fabric tote bag that's perfect for work and play in this straightforward home sewing project for tweens, teens or anyone new to sewing.

How to Make Custom Dog Clothing

Learn how to make simple and stylish custom pet clothing for all sizes.

How to Make a Paper Flower Easter Basket

Make a 3D flower Easter basket using paper and our free printable patterns.

How To Use Tea and Cinnamon to Age Artwork for Halloween

Brew some tea, snag this free, printable Halloween art and make your own aged wall art in minutes.

How to Make a Christmas Catnip Toy

Don't forget your furry best friend when making handmade gifts for the holidays. With just basic sewing skills, you can whip up a catnip-filled stocking-shaped toy as a surprise for your favorite kitty.

How to Turn a Rug Into a Wall Art Tapestry

Put a cherished rug on display as handmade art with some basic lumber and these DIY tapestry instructions.

Make a Tie-Dye Shower Curtain

It only takes 24 hours to brighten up a basic bathroom.

Preserved Moss Wall Art

New and longtime gardeners alike will love this easy, green wall art project from Hilton Carter's latest book, Wild Creations: Inspiring Projects to Create Plus Plant Care Tips & Styling Ideas for Your Own Wild Interior.

How to Make a Classic Tulle Tutu

This pretty DIY skirt looks adorable as a flower girl dress, a Halloween costume, for ballerinas-in-training or just for the fun of it. Almost no sewing is involved to create this classic tulle tutu, making it a great project for beginner-level crafters.

How to Make a Christmas Cat Spinner Wand

In all of the gifting during the holidays, don't forget about your furry friends. This holly-themed cat toy is easy to make and will encourage hours of playful interaction.

What's New in Handmade

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.