What Design Should I Make?

Out of these EPP 60' Diamond shapes? I haven't worked with them before, but have so far came up with these so far. Perhaps I might end up using all three of them in a table runner or other size quilt. I am so glad that I didn't get the shape bigger than 1 3/4" as it would be too big for the mini charm fabric I want to use for these. I didn't think they would be this big as per yesterday's post I have only worked with 3/4" Hexagons, they are measured quite differently than these shapes. What would you make?

Different EPP Pieces...

Normally, I only work from hexagons for EPP (English Paper Piecing) but decided to branch out. I forgot though that the way they are measured is vastly different than all of the other shapes. I already had mini charms picked out for the two new shapes 60' diamond and coffin. The mini charms I have for the coffin shape is no longer available, and consists of mostly light cream type shirting and blue fabric. The charms only consisted of 45 pieces of fabric, where most of the newer mini charms I have gotten consist of 75. I thought I would make a table runner and have one coffin piece per fabric, as you can tell from my pictures that I will be getting probably at least 4 or 5 EPP pieces from one square of fabric. 😂

They are 1" but of course not as big as the close up even appears. I guess at least I will get end up with more coffin EPP pieces, but not sure I want to try and make a table runner since they are so small. Normally, I do not work with hexagons smaller than 3/4". My next post will be all about the diamond shapes I got. 

Black Friday

Today or yesterday to be exact once this post will be up for view, I am not shopping but spending time at home and having leftovers, watching football and working on some craft projects. Here are some of the photos of my latest progress and where I am starting today, perhaps I won't get too far but you never know.

Random Quilt Mistake

So I started making this English Paper Piecing quilt without using a pattern, and messed up one the placement in some of the rows. I tried to correct and then found out I was making the same mistake, considering this is all done by hand I wasn't going to go back and fix it all. So what have I decided to due is every once and awhile have a random mistake so then technically it doesn't look like any of it was a mistake, hopefully. We shall see.

Progress, New Projects, and Organization

So this post has you can probably see from the title is a little bit about everything. After making a few EPP (English Paper Piecing) projects, I have found that for me it is easier and faster for me to put the hexies into rows before attaching them together. Here is my latest progress, I know only one small row complete, but at least it is now a complete flower (assuming you don't count the sashing).

This is a new project that I started while on retreat, it is a embroidery panel I purchased for $7.50. The panel has various flowers and baskets on it. The one thing I like about this is that they already have the colored pattern on it. I need a little bit more thread since I don't have all of the colors in my stash, but only need a few as I have most. I tried to get close up pictures, as from far away you can't really tell what work I have done since the pattern is so bright.

 In trying to get more organized I decided that I needed to go through all of the embroidery/counted cross stitch floss that I currently have. Normally what I do is get all of the thread and put it with the corresponding pattern (with copies of original and copies) in a big ziploc bag. In deciding that I needed to know what I have and needing to put thread away once I completed a project, I decided I needed to have a better idea of what thread I currently own. I already had one thread organizer box full, but quickly found out I needed to another one. I still have a big ziploc bag full of thread that I need to place on bobbins and reorganize in the boxes by number. I went on the DMC thread website and printed a free list of all their threads. I mark away the ones I own, then I know what I do not have in stock for a current project. On each box I will list on a piece of paper what numbers are in the container. I think it will help in not wasting time before starting a project by going through big ziploc bags to see if I have the correct thread or not. I still have a long way to go, but think this organization will be worth it.

Upcoming Quilt Retreat

Every year I go on a retreat with several ladies from the quilt guild I belong too. They have about three a year but I only go to one. Planning what to bring is always I think an issue, the  first year I had no idea what to bring, so I brought lots of projects with me. I didn't think that much ahead and should have pre-cut fabrics. Last year I did precut some fabrics and brought only a few projects with me. My original plan for this year was to bring two pillowcase projects, bring a quilt that I need to complete the backing and then quilt it, and precut fabric to make a small child's quilt. Yesterday, I was using my sewing machine when I ran into issues with it, I think it needs to be serviced and given a tune up. Every project I had thought about bringing has now changed.  I will now take all handwork and even some counted cross stitch work with me. I have precut several fat quarters and even half yards of fabric into 2 inch squares so I can work on a English Paper Piecing project that I have started. I will also be taking a small applique wall hanging with me. The only other projects I am taking are counted cross stitch items, the Good Morning with the rooster and the Music Is Love, Love Is Music (previously shown about two posts ago). I was thinking about bringing another quilting or applique project with me, but then thought I might not focus on them enough. I really want to get quite a bit done, especially since I have not even basted that many hexagons for the English Paper Piecing Project or even cut the fabric from the applique wall hanging kit.

EPP Project and Pillowcase Complete

A couple of weeks ago I finally completed hand piecing and hand quilting the EPP (English Paper Piecing) project I had been working on. I ended up giving this to one of my Grandmothers who is ill. I put her initials on the table runner. It is now on her nightstand by her bed.

A few years ago I had made these flying geese blocks and then I saw this cardinal fabric, and knowing my grandmother loves birds thought it would be perfect for a pillowcase to brighten her room. My mother sewed the pillow case together.

New EPP Project

I am working on a new English Paper Piecing project for one of my Grandmothers. Her birthday is in a few months, and I wasn't sure how long it would take for me to make a table runner for her. I have quite a bit more done, almost two more flowers done, than what is in the picture. I think she will really like the colors. I think I will make this have a total of five flowers.

Another Row Finished.....

More work completed on by English Paper Piecing (EPP) table runner. This coming weekend though I plan on working a few new projects. What are you working on?

Another Row Complete

Here is my progress over last weekend. I haven't done anymore since but I am getting quite a bit done on my EPP project. I think I might make it a little bit longer, of course because it will go on a coffee table it will need to be a lot wider.

Keeping English Paper Piecing Projects organized

If you have ever done English Paper Piecing you quickly realize how many pieces there are, and the need to keep them all together. My solution for part of this happened when I went to a local tool shop and got a plastic container for only $2.76, better than spending more money for the same item at a quilt shop. I organized my English Paper Pieces by color and I have enough room for needle, hexagons, fabric, scissors, thread and everything else needed in this container that fit perfectly in my purse.

Since I already have a couple of rows together I did need a bigger plastic container than the one above. I tried finding one in the tool shop that I thought would work but no such luck. So I ended up getting one at a craft store, it was on sale for $11 even though it says scrapbooking, cheaper than paying for the non-sale plastic container of the same size at the same store for $20. I keep the rows that I have already attached together in this bigger container along with quite a bit of extra fabric and the small-medium size container that fits in my purse also fits in this bigger one (that way if I want to take my whole project with me I can as well). So how do you keep everything organized?

More Scrappy EPP Done

Today I worked on more of my scrappy English Paper Piecing project. I still need to decide if I want to make this into a table runner or quilt, but I probably won't decide until I at least get this into a table runner size. The last photo I had only two rows but together and now I have added another one, with a fourth row soon to be added. So what are you working on?

English Paper Piecing

A few years ago I started doing English Paper Piecing and quickly became addictive, I am sure like most people. Unfortunately, I had to put most crafts aside for quite awhile, but lately have slowly been getting back to them. I have picked up my english paper piecing again, and am making a very scrappy table runner/quilt (I haven't made up my mind yet which one). This project uses 3/4" hexagons. As a Christmas gift I ended up giving a friend her own starter English Paper Piecing kit and showed her how easy it was. I think she enjoyed it.

I loved this English Paper Piecing (EPP) quilt that I found on Paper Pieces. Isn't it just beautiful!?!

EPP Quilt from Paper Pieces

Future Projects for Next Week?

I have a few projects that I want to either start or finish next week. I am not sure if I will be able to get to all of them, but I can at least try, right? Off and on I have been working on a English Paper Piecing project, and there is still a long ways to go. While shopping the other day though, I found this fabric which I think will be good as a backing for a English Paper Piecing project.

 

I think that this will work great, even though my project right now isn't in a flower theme like the backing fabric above is.

 

I also got some panel fabric, that I think will go good with our kitchen table, that will be made into placemats.

 

At first I didn't really care for the fabric, however it did grow on me. Comparing it to the table above, I think the fabric was a good one.

 

I found that Joann's had some tatting needles, so I picked them up along with a little bit of new thread. Here is a picture of the burgundy colored thread, although it looks hot pink in the photo.

 



Slow but surely...

I am working on more progress, as my yet unknown, hexagon project. Could be a table runner or a quilt, who knows. I am just playing it by ear, I guess until I feel like no longer working on it. I love hexagons and the English Paper Piecing is addictive. Last night while at a quilt guild meeting, I put more pieces together.

Here is the progress of all of it together by rows, assuming I would put it together like this. I plan on waiting until I have made all of my rows though to put it all together, as I want to ensure I don't have to much of one color together.

While at the quilt guild people always give away items they no longer want. I was lucky enough to get this pattern by Bonnie Blue Quilts. I plan on checking out their other patterns, hopefully they have a shop online.

I haven't accomplished much for my 12 for 2012 goals, although on Friday I plan on working a lot on some projects while watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics. So I should be posting some progress pics later on in the week.

Independance Day

Besides doing a few errands, we have been inside enjoying the nice central air. I have been working on a English Paper Piecing project, although I have yet to decide what I will be making it into. Even though I love the Grandmother's Flower Garden pattern, I have chosen to just do a scrappy version of hexies. Enjoy the pictures. Not sure there will be fireworks tonight due to mostly drought and the temps. Perhaps I will catch it on tv. Hope everyone who is celebrating Independence Day are able to stay cool during this heatwave throughout the country.

 This just shows some that I have finally put together into rows. I have TONS done that need to be stitched together.

Just a closeup.