March 2017 - English paper piecing

This month saw the first of two demonstrations on English paper piecing (EPP). MW, with the use of a story board, talked about the various shapes you can use with this technique and suggested the use of isometric graph paper for drafting template shapes such as hexagons, triangles, diamonds, rhomboids, church windows, to name a few. We were also shown some ways of using these shapes singly and in combination to produce various patterns.

Combining shapes in EPP

The choice of fabric was covered and suitable material for templates was discussed, e.g. thin card, thick paper, freezer paper. A demonstration on tacking the fabric to the template and whip stitching the shapes together, meant we were now ready to have a go ourselves at making some 1 inch hexagons.

Cutting templates

Choosing fabric
Some of us are already familiar with this technique as a variety of work in progress showed.

This one for a bed quilt




Results from the evenings work
We are planning on making a charity quilt from the rosettes made. By joining them with some plain calico hexagons, we should have a lovely Grandmothers Garden quilt.

Some other pieces on show were; 

Sampler block quilt for Project Linus

This small wall-hanging was a leftover block from a larger quilt.
We all went home very satisfied with our evenings work. Some of us looking forward to a half day workshop at the end of the month.