more of my favourite things

Last time I shared some of my favourite tools, this time I would like to show you some of my favourite English paper piecing (EPP) tools and patterns.

English paper piecing is when you use templates cut from thin card which the fabric is wrapped around and sewn together. There are several methods of doing this, my favourite is the glue stick method.

I also like to fussy cut my fabrics and I use a fussy cutting mirror and viewers to do this. Basically you have a negative shape cut from card, a hinged mirror and your chosen fabric. Place the viewer on the fabric and put the mirror along the sides of the shape and gently push is round the fabric to find where you want to cut your shape from. I then trace inside the shape with a water soluble pen or chalk pencil, remove the viewer and place a corresponding perspex template over the markings. Most perspex template have the seam allowance added to make it easier to cut out. If you don't have a perspex template for the shape you can easily add seam allowance with a Quarter plus ruler.

You would then use the first one cut to line up on the same part of the pattern in another location on the fabric, repeat to cut as many shapes as you need.

The first video is a demonstration I recorded earlier this year during the Great International Craft Show 13. I talk about many of my favourite supplies and projects from some of my favourite designers including Lilabelle Lane and Hugs'n'Kisses

The video above is one where you can see how I cut out the stars and hexie flowers in my Chrysallis Garden quilt. This one recorded during The Great International Craft Show 12. There are also several videos to check out on my Youtube channel

All of our favourite EPP supplies, including the ones shown above are in one place in our online store

My next EPP project will be The Grand Paddle Wheel by Lilabelle Lane, (pictured below) which I hope to start early October. I touched on it during the first video above, but will do a serious fabric pull when we return from holidays. I intend to share my progress on Facebook and will be doing some live videos as well. If you are interested in following along, make sure you like our Facebook page and join our enewsletter (sign up here) to receive updates.

As mentioned, we are on holiday and the shop is closed until we reopen on Saturday September 17, 2022. Online orders will be processed upon our return.

Until next time,

cheers

Angela