Okay, can you give me some feedback? Given that I want to use the Brimming print, is there one or two other prints that you would suggest removing? In other words, does something stand out in a bad way or do you have any other tips for me regarding my fabric mix?
Read MoreFour years of Ice Cream Soda. Really, four and a half (but who’s counting)? A look back at all the places this quilt has taken me from South Carolina, to the train and plane to The Netherlands, all over Europe and now to Floris. Each time I joined another row together, he would marvel. I would have relished seeing the blocks come together anyway, but there’s nothing like love to give your needle wings.
Read MoreOh. my. gosh. This quilt top is finished people. FINISHED! That’s four and half years of meditative hand stitching. So many moments, so many journeys, changes and dreams.
Read MoreEnglish paper pieced quilts are so WOW. All those tiny pieces, irregular shapes and fussy cuts can be quite impressive. So, how do you go from novice to EPP-maker extraordinaire? Here is how to gradually build up your EPP skills.
Read MoreI did consider making another heart backpack, because that was quite a success, but my curiosity to try something new won out. That’s when I was struck with the idea to look through my orphan blocks. I found this English paper pieced block languishing in my orphan block bin. It totally deserves to become something real, something loved.
Read MoreThe Dutch word for “to process” is verwerken. Can you spy the Dutch version of “work” in there? That’s because verwerken means more literally to work on something until it is completely integrated into who you are. It’s like how we say in English, “I worked through it”.
Read MoreSo you’d like to try English Paper Piecing, but (understandably) don’t want to tackle a whole quilt project right from the start? Over the years, I’ve made a handful of short-term projects with the technique. These projects and resource links will help you figure out where to begin with EPP.
Read MoreSomeone sound the trumpets! I can hardly believe that I’ve come this far at last. It is the biggest, bestest milestone in the process of making my first, completely hand sewn quilt - - -
Read More“Hey, what ever happened to that star quilt that Rachel started hand-sewing three years ago?” Oh, it’s still here, friends! It’s my longest ever work-in-process and that’s just fine with me! But, it’s official, the end is in sight.
Read MoreWhen your hobby is also your job (so lucky!) it does blur the lines between work and rest. It’s healthy to mark boundaries from time to time. That why I set the Ice Cream Soda quilt apart when I embarked on the project years ago. No goals, no pressure. Just slow, satisfying sewing.
Read MoreChristine’s La Passacaglia illustrates the fact that custom quilting is not the default for every special project. Here, all over quilting compliments the swirling, turning style of the patchwork and thoroughly reinforces seams, while not stealing any of the spotlight from her incredible patchwork masterpiece!
Read MoreI’ve been sewing an Ice Cream Soda EPP quilt for almost two and a half years now. I refuse to rush the process or set any goals for myself, so it’s slipped contentedly in and out of my attention during that time. Now I begin the filler pieces.
Read MoreA week of sand, sea and slow stitches, in photos - - - the Zeeland coast, Camping Dutch style, Feet in the North Sea, Veere Harbor, Middelburg Abbey, Slow Stitching spot and new Ice Cream Soda blocks.
Read MoreGuess what? Next Friday my family departs for two weeks in France! Eeee! We are taking the train from our home in The Netherlands to southern France, via Amsterdam and Paris. I’m totally taking my favorite slow stitching project!
Read More6 Tips for Choosing Fabrics for English Paper Piecing. What fabrics work best for fussy cutting? What else is important? From transformative fabrics to directional fabrics - let’s explore how to use fabrics creatively for EPP.
Read MoreNew Ice Cream Soda blocks, plus a good look at my English Paper Piecing project bag. Here’s the process and tools that work best for me. I love a take-along project for summer!
Read MoreSitting down with hand sewing instantly calms my body and mind. Stop by for slow stitching, a background fabric discovery and fixing a block that turned out a bit muddled.
Read MoreEach one is counted as a little finish. I think that’s why I’m able to stay engaged on such a long, winding road. I don’t really worry where it is taking me or how long we will travel this path. Each Ice Cream Soda block is its own destination.
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