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You are here: Home / Archives for English paper piecing

Emergency hex-it how to…

10 March, 2015 by admin 9 Comments

Well, there’s no point writing a QuiltCon post as you’ve probably read all about it and seen all the photos and besides the tragic and sad demise of my iPhone means I have no photos to share. C’est la vie. Move on Lorena…

So instead, I can finally focus on writing a tutorial to use my Emergency Hex-it kit that I gave to a few friends at QuiltCon. The kits included an acrylic template and seven 1″ hexagon papers, enough to make one hexagon flower. Maybe to keep in your handbag for crafty emergencies, just add fabric, needle and thread and voila – crisis averted!

It comes as a huge surprise that there are still some modern quilters out there who have never tried English paper piecing, oh hello Penny! Probably because I enjoy making samplers which aren’t always terribly modern, I learnt lots of different techniques to try to create all the different blocks.

Pairing up the technique of fussy cutting with English paper piecing can create a kaleidoscope of colour. Whilst it’s possible to machine piece fussy cut hexagons and other shapes, I like the portability of the paper pieced project. The acrylic template makes finding a motif and cutting the fabric super easy.

This tutorial will focus on making the hexie flower, I’ll follow this up with a tutorial to make the zipper pouch in case you can only sew one beautiful fussy cut hexie flower in your lifetime and want to share it with the world. Or you may become addicted and start a whole new quilt. For a grandchild. Mine is taking a while…

What will you need:

1″ Acrylic hexagon template with included 3/8″ seam allowance

7 1′ hexagon papers

fabric glue stick or needle and thread for tacking

strong, sharp needle

strong fine thread, a colour that blends into your fabric

cutting matt

small rotary cutter

a large piece of interesting fabric with at least 6 repeats of a motif (choosing fabric to fussy cut is an art itself, I should really write more about this)

Step 1

Spread out your fabric and slide the template around till you find a motif that you like and that you can see would repeat well. It doesn’t necessarily need to be completely symmetrical but that can help create the kaleidoscope effect. Check that you have six of the motifs on your piece of fabric before you start cutting!

Choosing a fussy cut motif

Step 2

Using a small rotary cutter, carefully cut around the template. Be careful not to shift the template and cut as accurately as possible.

You will use this first cut hexagon to position the template for the following 5 identical pieces.

Find your motif

Step 3

Position your template carefully over your hexagon and cut with your small rotary cutter.

Repeat till you have 6 identical hexagons.

IMG_0102

Step 4

Here comes the fun part, where you start to see your pattern emerge.

Take one of the fabric hexies, flip it over and place under the template.

Dab a tiny amount of glue in the middle. This will hold the paper template in place.

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Step 5

Centre the paper hexagon into the middle of the acrylic template.

Remove the acrylic template and repeat with the rest of your fabric hexies.

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Step 6

I prefer to use a glue stick to fold back my seam allowance.

You could also tack them down with needle and thread but I find I get better accuracy with the glue stick.

Use a thin line of glue at least 1/4″ from the edge of the paper. You don’t want to get glue where the needle and thread need to push through.

Fold over the seams one by one, creating neat folds in the corners.

Don’t pull the fabric too tight, you need a tiny gap at the edges to get your needle through later.

Don’t use too much glue! Those papers need to come out at the end.

Repeat with all six hexagons.

IMG_0114

Step 7

You’ll need an extra hexagon for the centre, that one needn’t be fussy cut so go ahead and pick a fabric that compliments your design. Then play around with your hexies to find a setting you like. It’s amazing how different they will look as you turn them.

I decided to go with the blue solid.

See that film that I’ve got under my hexie? I’m trying a tip from QuirkyGranolaGirl Melinda, it’s Press’n Seal and it keeps my pieces from disappearing in a gust of wind. High novelty factor as we don’t have this stuff in Australia! Probably a piece of batting will work just as well.

Anyway, time to stitch. I prefer to sew all the “petals” to the centre of the flower first but feel free to do what feels good for you.

Place your two prepared hexies together, make sure you’ve got the right edges together.

Use fine, strong thread and a strong, sharp needle to make little whipstitches over the edges of the templates. Don’t sew through the paper, there should be just enough fabric over the edges to slide your needle through. If not you may have glued your fabric too tightly or used too much glue.

Continue sewing the petals around your central hexie.

Always knot at the corners in case of thread breakage.

IMG_0123

Step 8

Continue sewing the hexies together by folding the flower in half and sewing the opposite seams till you’ve sewn all the seams.

You can see the folds here:

IMG_0126

Step 9

And voila! your beautiful fussy cut hexie flower is done.

See that wasn’t too hard at all. And don’t worry if it’s not perfect. The eye and brain work very well to forgive imperfection! And if not, take your glasses off or step back.

Next I’ll give you some tips on what you can do with one flower or maybe you want to make a whole quilt full of them?

Will you make one? I’d love to see it. If you share it on IG or Flickr please tag me or #emergencyhexit 🙂

IMG_0127

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: English paper piecing, Front page, Fussy Cutting, Tutorials, Uncategorized Tagged With: Emergency Hex-it, english paper piecing, EPP, fussy cutting, hexagon, Sexy Hexie

Holiday Hexies

25 January, 2015 by admin 2 Comments

Do you have a long term project you just pick up a few times a year? Something that’s purely therapeutic, mindless and there’s no end game?
I do! It’s purely for fun and has no deadline whatsoever. I’m calling it Blissful Abandon. Sounds a bit Mills & Boon doesn’t it?

IMG_3571.JPG

I’ve been working on these 1″ fussy cut hexagons for over a year. I’m not in a rush as I’ve now worked out the longer it takes the more fabric I can include.

Fussy cutting is a pretty slow process, choosing the motif and then painstakingly cutting six identical shapes before stitching them over paper by hand.

Did I mention that it’s very relaxing? Highly recommend you give it a go 🙂

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Filed Under: English paper piecing, Front page, Quilts Tagged With: english paper piecing, fussy cutting, hexies

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Below Stairs… it’s just like in Downton Abbey, Below Stairs… it’s just like in Downton Abbey, rooms full of silverware, crystal and china. Massive kitchens and larders. It must’ve been teeming with staff to keep everyone fed and watered!
I don’t think I was expecting such an opulent es I don’t think I was expecting such an opulent estate when I signed up for the Thread House Retreat at Harewood House. Incredible that the house has retained so many of the original furnishings and art works.

I’ll need to do some more research to process all of this…
💖 TE᙭TᑌᖇE TᑌEᔕᗪᗩY 💖 I’ve los 💖 TE᙭TᑌᖇE TᑌEᔕᗪᗩY 💖
I’ve lost track of the days… Is it still Tuesday?
Opal Essence quilt on my bed with matching EPP cushion. I’ve got a limited amount of template sets and EPP kits available for local postage if you’re in the UK. Send me a DM for details ✨

#opalessencequilt #opalessencequilttemplates #quilt #modernquilt #timeless #patchwork #yseams #tumblingblockquilt #machinepieced #curvedpiecing #quiltsofinstagram #quilting #ihavethisthingwithquilts #imadethis #pattern #patterndesigner #scrapquilts #quiltingkeepsmesane #epp #neverleavehomewithoutaquilt #staywithaquilter
After a brief stopover with my dear friend Ann Mar After a brief stopover with my dear friend Ann Mari in London, now in Leeds for a few days of stitchy goodness with the creative trio that are @threadhouseuk Retreat @harewoodhouse. 

The weather is really putting on a show, with a lovely warm day and sparkling blue skies once we pulled into the house. 

It’s so quiet and relaxing here, totally worth the epic journey ✨✨✨

PS - some of us looking a little fresher than others. Looking forward to a good night’s sleep without any travel for days!
Inspired by Sharon’s @toomuchfabric win at the S Inspired by Sharon’s @toomuchfabric win at the Sydney Quilt Show, @elizabeth.lansdown is now challenging herself to finish her Chuck Nohara quilt. Go Elizabeth 🎉

Leanne has almost finished this adorable baby version of #opalessencequilt 

I’ll be back at @mysewingsupplies for our regular #3rdsaturdayclass on 21 October. Want to join us? Call the shop to book your spot 🎊

#sydneysews #learntoquilt #sewingisfun #quiltclass
I’m excited to be able to share that I’ll be i I’m excited to be able to share that I’ll be in Melbourne for the Australasian Quilt Convention 11-14 April. Keeping that a secret was becoming increasingly difficult 😅

📣📣📣

I look forward to four days of teaching and social events with a bunch of talented tutors and students at the beautiful Royal Exhibition Building. Classes will be announced soon, they sell out pretty quickly so keep an eye out for the emails from @intocraft #expertiseevents. 

Of course I’ll share here and in my newsletter as soon as I can 💫

#ilovemyjob #quilting #aussiemodernquilters #makersgonnamake #aqc2024 #travellingtutor #savethedate #showyourwork #quiltshow #australasianquiltconvention #quilts #learntoquilt #australianquilter #aqc #melbourneworkshops
Had a lovely day @sydneyquiltshow, didn’t take a Had a lovely day @sydneyquiltshow, didn’t take as many photos as I had hoped so I’m sharing from other accounts in my stories…

🏵️

Honoured to have won a Judges Commendation for Planetarium in the Pieced Professional category. So many gorgeous quilts. I don’t know how the judges do it. Thank you to the judges and the exhibition committee @quiltnsw for a great day. 

My kawandi workshop was busy and buzzing with new converts to Kawandi. I hope everyone enjoyed it ✨

Loved @lieselquilts big beautiful quilt. Congratulations on your well deserved award Liesel. 💜

Congrats also to my clever student @toomuchfabric for her Red & White Chuck Nohara quilt ❣️

I’m sure there are loads of photos popping up on the socials but if you want to see all the winners, head to the Quilt NSW website 💫
First swim in ages, last swim for ages. The water First swim in ages, last swim for ages. The water is still a bit nippy. The air a bit thick with the smoke from hazard reduction burning. Summer is coming. Yay!

I’ve missed this. I’m looking forward to getting back into my cycling and swimming routine when I get back. 

I 🩵 #sydneyrockpools
Zoomed down to lovely @berryquiltandco for our bi- Zoomed down to lovely @berryquiltandco for our bi-monthly class. 

🍓🍓🍓

There were a number of quilt coats being finished from the weekend’s workshop. 

And a quilt coat on the way, using the jelly roll friendly  #megaqstcourthousesteps pattern! You can find it in the link in my bio. 

Finally, some fun and superfluous face masks panels got snapped up to make a quick #swirlygigquilt ⚡️

Next Berry class is on 8 Nov. See you there or be 🔲

#berrygood #quiltcoat #sewingiscool #learntosew #quilting #learningnewthings
It’s been a while since I’ve seen fireflies on It’s been a while since I’ve seen fireflies on a summer evening… so I put them on little thread bin gifts for Friday’s Kawandi Workshop at the Sydney Quilt Show. 

🔥✈️

Counting down the days… working through the to do list!

#mondaymotivation #justdoit #todolist #lotstodo #countingdown #threadbin #littlethreadbin #gifties
We had the most perfect weather in Berry this week We had the most perfect weather in Berry this weekend! Sunny, blue skies and just crisp enough to remind us that quilt coat weather is not quite over. 

🌞🌞🌞

Two action packed days of cutting, sewing and binding. Bravely turning quilts into patchwork jackets. Breathing a new life into those quilts that never sparked joy or that were ready for something different. 

✨✨✨

Thanks so much to Sharon @berryquiltandco for hosting such a lovely bunch of quilters. Huge thanks to @janesquilts for your hospitality and to all the gorgeous staff. 

🍓🍓🍓

See you back in Berry on Wednesday for my bi- monthly class. Some coats will be finished then 💫

#quiltcoats #quiltcoatsofinstagram #patchworkclothing #chorecoat #quiltcoatworkshop #patchwork #cutitup #isewmyownclothes #quiltedjacket #quilted #sewingisfun
Ooh, this is exciting. It’s always a thrill to s Ooh, this is exciting. It’s always a thrill to share my work. It’s the cherry on top to win an award!

🍒 🍨 

Will I see you at the @sydneyquiltshow next Friday? 🥳

#quiltshow #sydneyquiltshow2023 
#surprise #showyourwork #modernquilter #quiltexhibition
That’s the last of the needle turned appliqué b That’s the last of the needle turned appliqué blocks. I’m kinda sad cause I really love this technique. It forces me to slow down and stitch carefully. 

💙🩷❤️🧡💛

Now to finish the rest of the pieced blocks for this special quilt project. It’s a big one and time is critical ✨

💙🩷❤️🧡💛

Whilst I’m stitching I’ve been wracking my brain for a name for this quilt. Hopefully something will pop into my head before I finish the hand quilting 😅
An interesting discussion over on @themqg members An interesting discussion over on @themqg members resource site about which category to enter your quilts for QuiltCon. See their profile for the link. 

⏲️🌐❌

The panel was headed up by Amanda Bernay (Director of Partnerships) with three other panelists @hixsonir @rjbosscher and @geometriquilt. 

⏲️🌐❌

It’s worth listening to if you’re thinking about entering QuiltCon, the world’s biggest and best modern quilt show! There are many categories to choose from, so it can be overwhelming if you’ve only ever had the choice of a general “modern quilts” category in your local show. 

⏲️🌐❌

I was thrilled to hear Amanda @wellthreadquilts mention Wind Me Up, my quilt in the Modern X category this year. And you may be interested in seeing the blue and white fabric i fussy cut to get this effect. 

⏲️🌐❌

The X effect was unexpected so I turned lemons into lemonade and was so happy to have the quilt accepted to hang at QuiltCon!

WIND ME UP (2022)
72” x 72”
Made using my custom made 24” Winding Ways templates. Using a commercial print Wild Child by Jane Sassaman for Free Spirit. Paired with Kona Ocean and White solids. 

🏷️ quilted by @mishmash.quilts 

This quilt is currently touring with the Australian Quilt Show, next at the Brisbane Craft & Quilt Fair 11 - 14 Oct. 

#quiltcon2023 #windingwaysquilt #quiltsofinstagram #quiltcon #modernquilt #fussycutting #fussycuttingisfun #blueandwhitequilt #letthefabricdothework
💙🧡TE᙭TᑌᖇE TᑌEᔕᗪᗩY 🧡💙 So 💙🧡TE᙭TᑌᖇE TᑌEᔕᗪᗩY 🧡💙

Sometimes the fabric needs to have subtle texture… I love this pairing of Moda Grunge with Ruby Star Speckled Fabric ✨

Working on some lovely big needle turn appliqué blocks. My favourite technique to keep things smooth and consistent is to use a reusable freezer paper template. I then snip the background fabric away to remove the paper and reduce any bulk in the quilt top. I can reuse that cut away fabric too, bonus 💫

#needleturnapplique #handmade #slowstitching #showmethemoda #applique #modernquilt #quiltdesign #handwork #texturetuesday #precision #patchwork
Sunday was a productive day sewing some lightweigh Sunday was a productive day sewing some lightweight travelling clothes… comfy and easy to wash and wear on the go. 

🌸🌸🌸

🏷️ Roscoe Dress by @truebias. Made with shortened bodice and two tiers. 1st tier is width of fabric, 2nd tier is 1.5 x width of fabric. Fabric is Warp & Weft by Alexia Marcelle Abegg for @rubystarsociety. 

🏷️ Gathered Collage Top by @matchymatchysewingclub in a pretty Echino double gauze with Lana Wovens gingham trim. I added 3” to the length as I found my first one was too short. I’m 5’8” so that makes sense as the pattern is written for someone 5’5”. Details!

🏷️ Another Collage Gather Top. I’m so happy that I managed to squeeze a second top out of this favourite Nani Iro double gauze! The trim is a bright and happy print by Melody Miller for Ruby Star. The side panels are off grain but I reckon that the double gauze is stretchy enough that it doesn’t matter 💫

And now that they are done it’s back to work, the overlocker goes back on shelf so I can finish a couple of special quilts ✨

#roscoedress #roscoedresshack #collagegathertop #matchymatchysewingclub #naniiro #warpandweftfabric #isewmyownclothes #sewover50dresses #sewover50september #memade #handmade #memadeeveryday
Fun sewing day… first up - a lightweight holiday Fun sewing day… first up - a lightweight holiday dress to see me through day & night events. Lightweight being most important when your luggage includes quilts!

🏷️ Pattern is the ever reliable #roscoedress by @truebias. 

🏷️ Fabric is #warpandweft by @alexiamarcelleabegg for @rubystarsociety that I picked up on my last trip @fabricsauce. 

👗🧵🪡

#isewmyownclothes #memadeeveryday #warpandweftfabric #rubystarsociety #roscoedress #roscoedresshack #sewingiscool #sundayfunday
Can you believe that it’s September already? Aug Can you believe that it’s September already? August was a bit of a bust for me with a bout of gastro that wrecked pretty much everything, including my immune system. I’m determined to turn things around this month. With so much to look forward to… 

➰➰➰

There’s the @sydneyquiltshow 15-17 September. I’ve got a couple of quilts hanging and I’ll be teaching a Kawandi class at 1pm on Friday 15th. There are a couple of spots left if you’re interested. 

➿➿➿

I’m teaching my quilt coat workshop 9/10 September and a quilt class on the 13th @berryquiltandco. The Coat class has sold out but spots are still available for the Wednesday class…

🍓🍓🍓

On the 16th it’s my final class for over a month @mysewingsupplies before I travel. 

✈️✈️✈️

Then I’m off to the UK to the @threadhouseuk retreat! Classes with @edinburghmqg and @londonmqg… finishing up with a much longed for Andalusian adventure. I can’t wait!

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇸
PLANETARIUM 84” x 84” 🌐 I love the hand q PLANETARIUM
84” x 84”

🌐

I love the hand quilting on this. Like little paths around the rings. Leading the eye about the many details. The machine quilting is there for structure but the hand quilting is there for bling. It’s a fluke that I had just the right @dsquilts Hope Valley print for the binding. 

🌐

The quilt top is made from just one fabric, an ombré print. Cut using my 12” Winding Ways templates. 

#modernquilt #handquilting #machinepiecedcurves #machinequilting #bigstitchquilting #ombrefabric #windingwaysquilt #secondarydesign #makeitmodern #wheelofmystery
MAKING DO 72” x 72” A mash up of a bunch of @ MAKING DO
72” x 72”

A mash up of a bunch of @victoriafindlaywolfe prints. Wildly held together by the crazy black & white stripe we all love, Mostly Manor. Busy and dynamic. Patched scraps to make it that little bit bigger. Just how we like it!

🍄🪼🐝🌸🍊🎪

Not obvious here but beautifully machine quilted in a gorgeous free flowing design by @twocatsquilts. 

#traditionmademodern #drunkardspathquilt #quartercircles #victoriafindlaywolfe #mostlymanor #maximalism #modernquilt #colourandmovement #textilelove #makingdo #machinepieced #quilt
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