What do you do when your get a creative idea in your head? Sometimes I am able to jot it down in my notebook and move on and other times I have to just see if I can make it work. My latest obsession started with some gifted Heather Ross fabric – some precious small pieces that I felt I needed to make good use of.
And so my latest EPP project was born…
Last year, on a whim I picked up a Octagonal block kit during Paper Pieces sale. I wanted to have some hand work that was NOT hexagons but I am not brave enough yet to do a complex project… my long term goal is to one day be brave enough to try the La Passacaglia block! These Octagons seem a perfect step up from hexagons.
Unlike my hexagons I am glue basting the sections of these blocks which is saving time… my Sewline glue pen is getting a good workout.
I have put together a little kit that I have been throwing into my handbag when I head out the door, just in case I have some down time.
Every good EPP kit needs some small sharp needles, a needle threader (if your eye sight is as bad as mine), wonder clips, thread conditioner, a good thimble and of course a nice thread. I have only just started using Aurifil’s 80 wt thread in my hand piecing and I am loving it. It is really thin but does not break or tangle. I may be in love.
This is really a fun little project and I have tons and tons of Heather Ross fabric to cut into. I got three blocks done during the Super Bowl party I was at and I am hopeful I can get a block done a week… and if I am lucky maybe more.
I can see why those fussy cut pieces are so precious, and why they deserve some really special hand piecing. I’ve never got into glue basting for EPP; some of my hexies are on their 7th or 8th use, and I’m pretty sure if I’d used glue they wouldn’t have lasted. I don’t know if that’s a sign I’m stingy or simply economical! 😉
love, love, love it! really sweet & cool! 🙂
These look great! I love using the Sewline glue pens for my 2 inch 60 degree diamonds. This design looks like a good break from the hexies…or diamonds.
quite sweet. Well done
Cute blocks!
Love the fussy cuts! Great idea to have the kit available. A stitcher must always be prepared. 🙂
Wicked cute!