Tuesday, February 12, 2013

english paper piecing

I picked up my EPP quilt again. I haven't had the fondest feelings for this quilt lately. It's pretty and all, but sometimes I wonder why I'm hand piecing an entire quilt? My arms can barely take it.
However! Last week I had a friend point out that I only need 4 more rows before it's a decent lap size. What welcome news-I might actually finish it this century. Hurray for renewed motivation! And better yet, I already have a full row of stars pieced!
It's a little late in the game, but I discovered that the clover clips work well for holding the pieces together as I stitch. (And I need all the help I can get holding things together! Ha!!!)

I looked back to see when I started this quilt, and it's only been in progress since April of 2011...not as long as I thought! If you would like specifics on how to make this quilt, click on the link above.

Happy Tuesday to you!

43 comments:

Dolores said...

I tip my hat to anyone who does English paper piecing but I would never do it. As a matter of fact, even though everyone seems enamoured with hexagons, I personally, know of no one making one.

http://thankfullga447 said...

You go girl, I am doing hexies and I am enjoying it, I only have 3/4 of a row. Ask me again 3 months from now.

Melanie said...

I"ll take it!

Chartreuse Moose said...

Your hand pieced star quilt is beautiful! Keep plodding along...it is a real treasure! Thanks for the tip on clover clips...had not seen them yet!

Unknown said...

I have a hexie baby quilt I started in late 2010, it's all hand pieced and I want to hand quilt it, when I get it finished. I work on it in splurges, and haven't had a splurge to hand piece in a while.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I am hand piecing two different kinds of hexagon quilts but I do it with Inklingo instead of EPP - I hate EPP it is slow and tedious - I can do regular hand piecing a lot faster and it is neater. No stitches show.

Suzanne said...

You are making progress and that is wonderful!

Beth in MN said...

You go girl. That EPP quilt will be beautiful when done. Have to admit, I too like to hand piece better than EPP.
Beth in MN

jenni said...

It is so pretty! You will feel so accomplished when you finish it!

Anonymous said...

I would like hints on how to finish my own EPP quilt.... one thing is for sure, in a pile in a corner is not going to do it!!

Bridget said...

You go, girl! You are on the final stretch!

Anonymous said...

It is absolutely beautiful, and worth of the time it takes, I've been EPP'cing hexagons and I pick it up from time to time, but it does grow and it is beautiful. Love the stars- that is next up for me!

Wonky Girl said...

It sure looks wonderful so far.
But, my philosophy is that life is too short to piece by hand. LOL You will know what I mean once you hit 60.

Susana Neiger said...

Beautiful! Yay for motivation! I have a (similar but different) star quilt in progress, also EPP, also trying for lap-size - looking forward to getting back to it one of these days ...

Gunilla said...

Love it! Admire all the work put into this!!!

Selfsewn said...

And when you finish this quilt you'll want to start another one. Believe me I swore I'd not make another one, but everytime...
I need those clips!!

Tina Short said...

I started one too after seeing yours and mine has been in a basket for several months - lack of motivation, other quilts and life in general just get in the way.
You could try and get yours finished by april... 2 years for a quilt isnt too bad...is it???

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

I'm a recent convert to EPP after I picked up a Liberty print kit in the summer. I love it but I've no idea what to do with the finished fabric. It was enough to persuade me to make a hexie pieced stocking for the newest member of the family though. I've just finished it. In February. Luckily she's only 9 weeks so she doesn't really mind!

Gunilla said...

Oh I just remember that I also have one in progress.
Good luck with yours!
Regards,

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

And as a PS because I'm curious - are you using freezer paper or card templates and how much tacking are you doing?

Christine said...

It looks so beautiful so far. I really want to try making one.

Jeneta said...

WOW - I'm impressed that you even started a quilt like this!! I know I just wouldn't finish it within 5 years. Really. It is absolutely beautiful (though I shall admire from afar and be happy that you have such a beautiful quilt while I try and complete my mound of WIP's!) - I am pretty confident you'll be keeping this one (you are going to keep it aren't you?).

junacreationsuk.blogspot.co.uk said...

I large double sized hexagon bed quilt for my parents, it was the first quilt I ever started and it only took me 5 years... I've made a small cristening quilt in between time, but when the large qult was finished I said never again... but now I've seen those stars, which look gorgeous... I just might start another!

Thimbleanna said...

WooHoo -- you're almost there and it's looking fab! I started one a few weeks ago. I'm really enjoying the process. I'll probably only get a few stars done a month but I don't care if it takes me 20 years! Beautiful!

Lorna McMahon said...

You wonder why you're hand piecing an entire quilt? Because you can! It is beautiful! What a treasure it will be... I love it!

Flaun of I Plead Quilty! said...

I caught the fire, again, doing my EPP ogees while watching Downton Abbey and even last night while watching the State of the Union address.

elizabeth said...

it is GORGEOUS!!!! I just began doing hexagons and I have about 8!!! someday maybe someone will receive a mug rug... at this pace I can't imagine anything bigger than that. I do like it--so far it is the only other handsewing i like besides making flowers.

The stars are lovely!! Way to go!

Elsa said...

Amanda Jean ~ I'm doing the same EPP! I decided rather than make myself totally crazy, I'd take an entire year to put the thing together.
I'm loving yours! Such great fabric!

Beth said...

I am working on a mini quilt with the same stars. And I am starting a hexie quilt. I showed my DD how to EPP and she is making a hexie quilt.
Love yours. It is so beautiful. And you are close to a finish.

Annemieke said...

nice soft colours. I started some epp and used a glue pen from sewline to temporarily hold the fabric onto the paper. It works much faster than to baste it around the paper. Maybe a little late now:-)
I must admit I would not have started it if
I didn't get ill. I had to rest a lot so this was easy to do :-)
groetjes
Annemieke

Dolly said...

That's beautiful !

Keep going.....no hurry......if everyone gave up, we'd have none of these to admire ! You'll make it, and you'll be so glad that you stayed with it.

Barbara said...

Love Clover clips!! They should help you finish Lickety-split!! Have fun, its looks gorgeous!!

Sharon said...

Wow. This quilt is truly wonderful! Keep slogging along, It will be quite an accomplishment!

Annalia said...

That is very amazing!

Kate said...

That is beautiful - definitely a technique I will probably not be doing anytime soon, but it is super impressive. :) I love seeing your projects - very inspiring. :)

MissesStitches said...

I love EPP! Check out my blog to see what I'm doing!

Rachel said...

My hat is off to you...in fact I will give you the hat. I totally love what you are doing with this and I am grateful *I* don't feel the need, LOL!

nancyb said...

i have an english paper piecing project that i started about 7 or 8 years ago. i got bored with it and now don't like it like i used to. i'm going to finish it for sure some day! nancyb

Unknown said...

WOW! This is a priceless quilt.

Live a Colorful Life said...

I have been contemplating the Clover clips. Now I know that I really MUST purchase some!

Sarah said...

It is gorgeous! This quilt will be a treasured family heirloom.

Denice said...

I haven't seen you work on this quilt in awhile. Well, I should say I haven't heard you talk abut working on it. I want you to know you inspired me to start one of these too. It has traveled all over the world with me since I began. My kids think its the funniest thing ever. It's like she's a part of me. Oh yes, this quilt is a she and she has a name. Lol. I always say this quilt is what I'd grab, after my family of course, in the event of a fire. I've finished the top - queen size! Next step is basting and hand quilting. Thank you for being my inspiration. Ps. After watching me, several of my friends have also started this quilt. One friend didn't even sew before picking up a needle and thread while I taught her how to hand piece a star! The inspiration continues.

MaterialGirlQuilts said...

This is beautiful! I give you great kuddos...I started some EPP stars last year and have now decided that they will be turned into a large floor sized pillow :)
Amanda