Wednesday, July 8, 2015

WIP Wednesday: Discovering English Paper Piecing

I'm not sure what finally made me decide to try out English Paper Piecing, but I'm really glad I did! And now I'm wondering what took me so long to jump on the bandwagon. I think I was put off by the whole "hand-piecing" thing because I'm not very good at hand-sewing. I've tried needle-turn applique, and that was pretty much a joke for me. I'm sure I could have improved, at least a little, with practice, but honestly, I started out really, really bad at it. And I didn't even like it--why practice something you don't enjoy?


So why would I even think about trying EPP? Well...I don't like hand-applique, but I do really enjoy hand-embroidery. Again, I'm not very good at it, but I enjoy it, and I feel like I'm improving. And I really like wool applique. I wish wool applique was more my style, to be honest, because I think it's a lot of fun, but I haven't seen a lot of patterns I would want to make for myself.


Anyway, EPP. I tried it, and instantly fell in love! Nearly instant gratification. Simple. Portable. Uses up scraps. What's not to love? I mean, really.

I got started with the tutorial/video on Craftsy with Amy Gibson's Craftsy Block of the Month class from several years ago. I can't even tell you how many times I watched it, dissecting it, trying to decide if it were something I could even attempt. In the end, I just went for it.


And, I decided to do it with the same layout she did for one of her blocks, except I'll make multiple blocks and sash them all together instead of using it in a sampler.


And now, I'm dying to try out new shapes! I need to get some cut out--I'm thinking my Silhouette Cameo is going to make me a perfect EPP companion...stay tuned for updates on that!

I'm linking up to Lee's WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

4 comments:

  1. I applique ( not a master at it or anything, though ) and I cannot needle-turn. I think that you need three hands for that! :) I do the method where you make freezer paper templates, cut out 1/4 inch around them and then use starch and iron to adhere the fabric to the paper. Right before appliqueing, pull the paper out. I do this for my hexies too! :)

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  2. YAY! I'm always happy to see another person has come over to the EPP darkside! I find it so, so relaxing!

    I came to your blog today through a link up, and I wondered if you might be interested in joining in another link up. My mom and I post one each Friday called Crafty Comment Karma, for people to link up any of their crafting, quilting or sewing posts. It's open for the whole week until the next one goes up, so I hope you think about joining us! Link-up located here: http://bit.ly/1FT3LsD

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  3. You have used lovely fabrics for your EPP. Have you seen the blog for the book All Points Patchwork? Useful videos. Look forward to seeing your project progress.

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  4. Your EPP looks lovely! I have made a few hexies but have never taken the leap to sewing them together.

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