How DO Quilters MEASURE a Hexagon?
This was the question we asked our quilter friends and quilter family members. We also looked in quilt books and went hunting on the Internet. The answer was more complicated than we anticipated. Here is what we found:
1. Point to Point – “Of course you measure point-to-point!” Aunt Cheri told Jason over the phone. Note: Divide this measurement in HALF and you get the Short Side measurement. See our simple conversion table below.
2. Short Side – A very dedicated and brilliant quilt teacher says in her book that it makes the most sense to measure on the short side, as this is the only measurement common to all the shapes in the 60 Degree Family. She’s a very smart lady with an excellent point! Note: This measurement is simply HALF the Point to Point Measurement. See our simple conversion table below.
3. Flat Side to Flat Side – Jason’s mom Cheryl was quite adamant about this!
Because we wanted the Mercury Template to be easy to use and as friendly to as many quilters as possible, the laser registration lines take into account the Point-to-Point and Short Side measurements.
Short Side Conversion Table for Hexagons
*Measurement in inches, FINISHED, and including ¼” seam allowances.
Short Side Measurement |
Mercury Template Measurement
(Point to Point) |
½” |
1 |
1” |
2 |
1.5” |
3 |
2” |
4 |
2.5” |
5 |
3” |
6 |
3.5” |
7 |
4” |
8 |
For Flat Side to Flat Side, please refer to the Adapt My Pattern section.
Coming Soon – Conversions for Diamonds and Triangles!!

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