Smitten Quilt - My English Paper Piecing Adventure - Part 3

Every time I make a new hexie it becomes my new favourite.  I am just loving every single stitch that is going into this quilt.

One of the questions I have been asked a lot is "What does the back look like".  There have been many questions about my seam allowance, glue basting versus thread basting and lots more.

Here is a pic of the back of one of my Hexes.  I find the 1/4 in seam allowance on the templates that I have been cutting is plenty for my paper piecing.  I am glue basting and if you have any trouble with the glue not releasing from the papers there may be a couple of things you can do.  Firstly make sure you are not using to much glue.  Glue on the paper (not the fabric) but not too close to the edge.  If you can't release the fabric from the paper try ironing the shape to "relax" the glue.  The steam will help release the paper and fabric.

With all the Large Hexagons now finished it is time to work on the smaller Hexies.  These are great fun and I have tried to work out which colours I need to add more of and add more of those fabrics in.

Which is your favourite Hexie so far? Who else is making a Smitten?

Jemima x x

F-A-N-C-Y Foxes!

I started Elizabeth Hartmans Fancy Fox quilt a little while ago and it was certainly time to get it quilted and bound and completed.  I must say I am not usually a purple lover but as this quilt is for a special young lady I am pretty sure she will love all the shades and purple prints.  

Having recently upgraded my sewing machine I could not wait to use one of the features my new Pfaff Performance 5.0 had that my older Pfaff did not.  With 5cm wide stitches machine quilting this quilt was a breeze as the machine was making the large wavy stitch with me only having to guide it through.  All sewn and Quilted using my favourite Aurifil Thread - #2024.

While it is hard to capture the Andover Chambray used for the background it has the most amazing silver metallic thread through it giving this quilt a glimmer that is beautiful.  The Chambray came from Hawthorne Threads and while I thought it may fray terribly - it didn't at all and even with the metallic threads through it, it was a dream to sew with.  Teamed with all the Purple Liberty prints I hope this quilt will be treasured for years to come.  

Jemima x 

Smitten Quilt - My English Paper Piecing Adventure. Part 2

Well and truly Smitten! I am just loving this quilt and deciding each and every piece that will make up each hexagon.  It took me quite a long time to decide whether I was going to Machine piece or English Paper Piece this project and I am glad I decided on EPP.

To hand sew my shapes I like to use Aurifil #2021 in 50wt.  This is nice and fine and perfect to make the tiny stitches.  I also love to baste my Hexagons with a Sue Daley Glue Pen.

There are now full kits available from Sue Daley Designs for the Smitten Quilt with all the pre-cut papers and acrylic templates you will need to make each of the Hexagons if you are planning on sewing yours also using the English Paper Piecing method.

If you have been thinking of starting a Smitten Quilt - do it!  You will love it no matter whether you sew it on the machine or by hand.  If you have any questions as well as to how mine has been sewn - ask away.

Jemima x