Oh. 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.
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English 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.
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The 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”.
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Someone 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 - - -
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“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.
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I’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.
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6 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.
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New 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!
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Sitting 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.
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Each 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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Will you weigh in on my choice background fabric? At first I thought I’d use a low volume background - classic and effective. But, I think I’ll enjoy the joining process more if it feels unique. Here are a few possiblities.
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Hello, friends! Today I’m busy unpacking and organizing in our new home. As you can imagine, everything is topsy turvy, but I do know where my Ice Cream Soda blocks can be found. I’ve made three new blocks!
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Cringe - look at that edge! Fussy cutting makes for ragged yardage. But it also allows for the best kind of fabric play. You never know what you can create by manipulating the placement of those acrylic templates, until you try.
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English paper piecing is such a wonderful project for transitions. I’ve taken it on the train, several times. Tossed my project bag on the edge of sofa after sofa. Traveled with just a few pieces that unfurl into one new star after another. The task seems to add quiet moments to my days.
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This quilt tells a story about where I started, about what brought me into this profession and how far I’ve come. The mended spots are testament to my appreciation for that journey. So, I shall hold it close as we embrace adventures to come.
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This weekend I got to put the cherry on top of a very sweet stitchy experience. I finished a project that I started last summer in the form of hand sewn, English paper pieced flowers for the Kingfisher quilt.
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Wow, I had such a lovely weekend! It began Saturday morning, working side by side with sweet Miss Rora and continued with friend-filled celebrations for my 36th birthday.
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It’s the solution to shifting while basting! Just like working with freezer paper for applique, these precisely shaped paper pieces will temporarily adhere to your fabric when pressed with a hot iron.
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