Smitten Quilt - My English Paper Piecing Adventure - Part 4

Time to prep some more hexes for my Smitten.

When I first started this Smitten way back in March - Fussy cutting wasn't really a thought for how I wanted to create my Hexies.  I purchased Fat 1/16ths for this quilt and of course this meant that the pieces were not big enough for fussy cutting.

However as I continued on I knew that I had to add some Fussy Cutting in somewhere in my quilt.  I raided my stash and found some fabrics that would just be perfect for fussy cutting with pattern repeats and large enough pieces to cut out large holes into the fabric to make these hexies.

With some careful cutting and stitching I am stoked with how these fussy cut hexes turned out and can't wait to add them in.

Heading towards the home stretch for the piecing for this Quilt - these Small Hexagons took a little time to cut and piece with the size of the smaller diamonds and triangles that make these up.

These hexes came together really quickly with only three diamonds per hexagon.

With all the small hexagons complete it was time to hand stitch them together to make them into Large Hexagons.  After some sorting, arranging and cutting of certain prints and fabrics to make each hexagon the right colour way I have made great progress on these Large Hexagons.

Each one I make becomes my new favourite.  So close to having these all pieced.

Happy Sewing

Jemima x

Smitten Quilt - My English Paper Piecing Adventure - Part 4

Now that all my larger Hexes are finished it is time to get well and truly stuck into the smaller sized Hexes for this Smitten Quilt.

One of the questions I have been asked about my hand sewing is What type of stitch and what equipment for stitching are you using.  I am using Aurifil 50wt thread in both #2024 and #4060.  Both of these threads are the only two I am using.  I love the white and especially the grey variegated as this works well across the darker colours.  I am also using Clover needles (Appliqué Sharps size 9) - these are nice and thin and glide so well through the pieces as I go.  I am using a small Whip Stitch to create each seam.

When I went earlier this year and picked all the fabrics for this project from Amitie Textiles I did not at think about fussy cutting the Hexes so I only purchased Fat 1/16ths for this project.  Which was great as it gave me the variety I wanted in colours and prints but I wish I had of realised that fussy cutting would have suited this project so well as I would have bought some larger pieces of fabrics that would look magical having been fussy cut.  Oh well - next time.

These are all such fun to make, although I do love some more than others.

Jemima x 

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

In-between Sewing!

In-between sewing bigger projects like quilts and writing patterns there is always something to create and be inspired with, discover or learn about.  I was sent some Soak Wash Inc products just before Christmas to try out - see previous post.  I had heard great things about their Smoothing Sprays and Laundry Care products and was keen to try them out to see if they did what they say they do.

I used the Soak on some of my Quilts and even on my crochet blankets and have to say that after washing them with the Soak not only did they smell amazing but they left such a natural feel to the quilts and blankets.

Hands down though the Flatter is a Game Changer!  So much of what I do in my sewing is about the Seams of quilting.  So to use a plant based soothing spray to make my seams sit just flat - well that just makes quilting even better.  

I was so thrilled with how it actually made the seams sit flatter and crisper and so I could show you I made two samples (above).  The first was using Flatter and the second was just using steam alone from the iron.  And well as you can see the results speak volumes of this great product.

Ask for it at your Local Quilt store - it is well worth it.  Here in Australia you can find Soak Wash products distributed by Millhouse Collections at these stores:

Hetties Patch SA

Appleyard Cottage NSW

Amitie Textiles VIC

The Stitchers Cupboard NSW

Addicted to Fabric

Patchwork Paradise QLD

Make it Hobby & Craft QLD

Two Blue Birdies VIC

The Quilted Crow TAS

Patch'n'Paint WA

Quilt Fabric Delights

I have also made a start (and to be honest this is the only block as it stands) on my Gypsy Wife Quilt. For this project I have chosen to use Liberty and Linen.

And after finishing up all my Tula Pink Hexagons that I turned into Grandmother's Flower Gardens - I sat down and planned out the layout for them.  Armed with some Hexagon Grid paper I drew out the design and then laid out all the flowers so that I would be happy with how they were all going to be placed.

Making good progress so far - that's 20 out of 70 hand sewn.

Jemima x 

Custom Order Quilt complete

Finishing up the year with a custom Quilt seems just right.  It was gifted to the clients dear friend for a special birthday gift. The Coral and Aqua fabrics have all come from my stash.

And how could I go past this binding - "A Day in the Country" - do amazing stripes - always perfect for binding.

In-between finishing up orders, working on publication and media commissions and sewing Santa Sacks I have been working on two projects that I had started earlier this year.

I have been wanting to get back to my crochet Granny Square Bobble Blanket for ages and having finished up other projects I was working on (namely Green Tea and Sweet Beans) I have put it at the top of my list and I now have some nice little piles of Granny Squares.  Now to just sew in the ends before it all becomes too much at the end.  I prefer to sew in the ends as I go - how about you?

Also back to working on my Tula Pink Hexes - I decided to turn these Parisville Kits into Grandmothers Flower Gardens. Look I am not going to kid myself - English Paper Piecing takes time so this make take another whole year to complete the design I have in mind.  I love English Paper Piecing as I take it along with me for the times I have to wait - like while the girls have Swimming Squad, or waiting at doctors appointments or for when we travel long distances in the car.

70 Grandmothers Flower Garden Hexes all finished

In the kits also came with the Aurifil thread - both perfectly matched colours for basting and sewing together - #4060 (Silver Moon) and #4660 (Pink Taffy)  The 50wt is just perfect for sewing them together.  

Jemima x x