Yes.....I am in love. Actually, I am in love with so much of life (it is a passionate and visual kinda gal that I am) but the subject of my passion for this little while is EPP or for those of you whom are not in the know, English Paper Piecing.
LOVE.......all those itty bitty EPP hexies!
Why does EPP move me so?? Why does EPP transport me into a state of rhapsodic rapture?? =) Why......because in folding itty bitty scraps of fabric around itty bitty pieces of paper, then hand stitching each shape, every itty bitty corner lines up perfectly. Every itty bitty shape, in this case my fave shape of all time, the hexagon, snuggles perfectly to the hexagon beside, above, below; every which way. Yes indeedy, it warms the cockles of my li'l ole, persnickety heart that each shape is perfect! Me and EPP are a match made in heaven!
Now, before you heap burning coals of fire upon my head and point your finger at me chastising me regarding my perfectionist tendencies, let me assure you I am okay with the imperfections of this life.....I am.....I really, really am. I saw the light as a wee child that nothing in this life is 'just so'. It's just that my arty farty soul is enjoying the exactness of EPP. I am loving the fact that I can sew teeny tiny, almost invisible stitches and each shape is lined up utterly, entirely, consummately......(you get the picture).......in the most perfect manner. Yes indeedy, I am loving skipping down the oft-elusive path of perfectionism, with my itty bitty EPPs in hand, happily stitching as I enjoy the view.
My arty farty soul is having the best of times with my itty bitty EPP hexies, fashioning flowers as I go. Instead of using paper shapes for my hexies, I have used iron on shapes. I wouldn't use iron-on paper if I was fashioning a whole quilt entirely of EPP hexies, but as this quilt will be one made of blocks with a hexie flower in each block it should be fine. The dear lady in the quilting shop assured me the iron-on paper would slowly dissolve, so throwing caution to the wind I decided to give them a go. If over time it doesn't work I will let you know, shall I.
As you can see I have continued to build teetering, tottering piles of hexies, both for my scrappy quilt-as-you-go quilt and for the EPP quilt. Love, love, LOVE!!
I am continuing to work on my scrappy, quilt-as-you-go hexie as well as English Paper Piecing. My scrappy quilt has grown much too big for stitching in the car as we (my good husband and my good self) meander through the countryside. There has been talk around town of the strange man who drives around the countryside with a movable quilt next to him in the passenger seat. Thus the need to have a smaller stitch-wherever-you-go, pretty. Somewhere underneath these folds and folds of a hexie quilt, is a woman. Somewhere underneath this pretty, is li'l ole me! =)
I have also been stitching lengths of fabric strips to cover the seams at the back of my quilt-as-you-go pretty. My persnickety tendencies again. I like to cover the back seams with fabric as it looks lovely and also makes the quilt stronger. Besides, by doing this one has two quilts in one. Sounds 'perfect' to me!
I have also been stitching lengths of fabric strips to cover the seams at the back of my quilt-as-you-go pretty. My persnickety tendencies again. I like to cover the back seams with fabric as it looks lovely and also makes the quilt stronger. Besides, by doing this one has two quilts in one. Sounds 'perfect' to me!
I don't know why me and EPP have taken forever to become acquainted. Strange really, considering my love for hexagons. I have been falling down the rabbit hole of Pinterest of late and have been oohing and aahing over the Milliefiore and La Passacaglia quilts that all those clever souls are stitching at the moment. Be still my beating heart! Each and every one is truly the most magical work of art. Someday I would love to dance along the bejewelled Milliefiore, geometrical pavement and stitch one of these exquisite quilts, but for now this arty farty soul is loving stitching my sweet, little itty bitty hexie flowers.
Until the next time............
I love EPP and I especially love your beautiful floral hexie rosettes, this will be a stunning quilt :)
ReplyDeleteOh dear , you are such an EXCELLENT Artist!!!.
ReplyDeleteI rarely saw such passion for stiching your magnificent diamonds of beautiful, delicate thoughts and turning them into such flourishing art.
I am beyond appreciation for your stunning creations and charming description!
perfection - has many definitions to me. in this art, which i have heard of, perfection means doing it right - so that everything fits together. quilting is the same!!
ReplyDeleteeverything you touch and create is exquisite...a work of art. you surely have talent in an art you love!!
You are nuts. :-) So many little pieces!!! And after getting together that QAYG hexie, you're adding those awesome strips on the back? You're making me want to do that, and I haven't even finished making all the hexies. oof!
ReplyDeleteHow many times can a girl use the word "hexie" in a blog post? I think you have just done that but who's counting, right?...lol! What a stunning masterpiece your quilt-as-you-go hexie quilt is turning out to be! Am I surprised? Not even one little bit. Enjoy your EPP's! Hugs to you, sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, you must have such patience and great eyesight!!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt will be stunning when it is complete.
Have a marvelous week quilting :)
Yes, I am a very patient gal when it comes to stitching and my old eyes aren't too bad at all. I will do my darndest to have the most marvelous week playing with my hexies, Prunella. Kim Xx
DeleteWow, so very perfect....I can see why you are hooked on it!!! I could sit and play all day with all those completed hexies like a child with a pile of blocks...Being very visual myself, all those beautiful colors and florals put me right in my happy place! Amazing, really....what a gorgeous quilt it will be!
ReplyDeletePlaying with my hexies and building teetering, tottering towers of blocks puts me in a happy place as well, Linda. It really doesn't take much to make me happy. =) Thank you for popping by my hexie world, lovely lady. Kim Xx
DeleteThese are so beautiful. You are a very patient and talented person. Have a blessed rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteI can hear your joy! All those piles of wonderful hexxies - it's no wonder you're happy.
ReplyDeleteThere's lots to love about EPP and especially pretty hexies. I'm interested to see what you think of the iron on hexie papers and I think it's a marvellous idea to cover the seams on the back of your scrappy hexie quilt.
ReplyDeleteYes, it will be interesting to see how the iron on hexie papers pan out after time. My only worry would be that the paper doesn't dissolve completely and leaves behind little bumps. Hope you are enjoying a lovely week, Ann. Kim Xx
DeleteI love EPP too, it was the first thing I tried when I began sewing a few years ago. I haven't seen any dissolving papers in England, do let us know how you get on with those. Also, i would love a mini tutorial on how you do your QAYG hexies. x
ReplyDeleteI cannot think of a better method than EPP to start one on the journey of stitching. I will think about a mini QAYG tutorial, Kay. Somehow, I will try to fit it in. Thank you for visiting my little hexie place. Kim Xx
DeleteI really don't understand what EPP is and how it works😩 Is it just using paper patterns instead of a rotary cutter? Your quilt is a work of art! The colors!
ReplyDeleteYou are one patient lady! Your hexies are lovely-they remind me of a summer garden! A great way to spend a wintry day. I did get our DAR group's quilt of valor top finished. The ladies want to help quilt it so we'll see how that goes. Haven't had much time for blogging lately but will try to post about it sometime. Enjoy your moments of perfection!
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to stitching, Zenda I am a very patient gal. =) My hexies have been putting a sunny smile on my face these chilly, wintry days. I am looking forward to seeing your finished valor quilt when finished. It is going to be lovely. Thanks for visiting my little hexie world, lovely Zenda. Kim Xx
DeleteHere we said : who runs for fun doesn't get tired...
ReplyDeleteI think I can apply it to you ;)
Have fun with your EPP !
Anna
Just fabulous! Such talent! Your work is so great!
ReplyDeleteOh I understand your hexie love and EPP, it gave me great joy reading your post and seeing your beautiful pictures. I have no idea how to QAYG works, so would love to hear more about it xx
ReplyDeleteOh I'm with you my dear, I too love EPP, it is just the most serene fun in the world. Good for a take along project too - until the quilt devours you whole. I'm made one whole quilt of Hexies and working on a second for my daughter - which is a some-day project - some-day I'll work on it - and some-day I'll finish - but for now it is lots of itty bitty pieces in little sandwich boxes - waiting to join the finished flowers in grandmother's flower garden, that grows slowly, but we live in a temperate zone and everything grows slowly. Love your colors and the fabric strips on the back are a super wonderful touch - I could just live in your blog, it is so pretty and relaxing.
ReplyDeleteI love all your beautiful hexies, they are amazing.
ReplyDeleteOnes I had an hexie cushion, but it was old and ruined by our dog.;-))
Aah....what is it with puppy dogs and cushions and stuffing, that they want to fight with the cushion to within an inch of it's life. You will have to fashion another hexie cushion, Loes and hide it from your sweet dog. =) Kim Xx
DeleteEPP is new to me and I love it! I love your excitement over it all and can't wait to see what you create. I KNOW it will be over the top gorgeous! I admire your patience at stitching all those teeny tiny stitches. I would be pulling my hair out! You are a patient, sweet soul, perfectionism and all!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely hexies Kim, any quilt is going to be so pretty with these beauties.
ReplyDeleteKim, your quilting talent is amazing. I don't understand what you will do with the paper hexies. I look forward to seeing what you make with them! xo
ReplyDeleteOh dear Kim, I just want to reach into my computer screen & stroke those gorgeous fabrics of yours. I love all your hexies all sitting in perfect little piles. I laughed at the thought of your dear man driving around town with some strange being next to him under the folds of a quilt she might be stitching!!!!! Stranger things have happened ............... Have a wonderful creative week dear girl xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteSo many people I work with have been bitten by the EPP bug. I'm trying to resist as I really don't need another hobby! Your work is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with your EPP too, it cannot be otherwise, and your quilt is truly outstanding, Dearest One, your passion drives you higher and higher, thank you for sharing such Beauty !
ReplyDeleteWishing you a most lovely new week,
I'm sending hugs and ever much love to you
XOXO Dany
Oh my goodness! Two hexie quilts in the making with so many happy colours! Love the pile of hexies. Have fun :)
ReplyDelete-Soma
Oh my goodness. I thought I had commented already. I must be going batty...lol! Kim my lovely, you have the patience of a saint. Beautiful work! Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteYou did comment on the other post re my scrappy hexie, Mimi....thank you. =) I too am going batty at the moment. I get confused with which hexies I am sewing. All these bright and happy hexies are confusing my muddly brain. =) I am beginning to see the light at the end of my hexie tunnel....can't wait till I walk through the light. Hope you are enjoying a lovely week up there in your little piece of paradise, lovely Mimi. Thank you for popping by. Kim Xx
DeleteOh my you have been very busy I see, I had not heard of the iron on hexie bases, I just might make one if I had those, I might have to check out my quilt shop soon :) I just love those borders you put on it gives the hexies that extra something, but I can't figure out how you quite sew it together like that. Yes I can see how having a huge moving quilt might be a bit much in the car, you will have to make two and put them together, LOL!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work you do, I can totally understand the excitement!!
I have puzzled over your hexies, it looks as though you are backing each one with another hexie, then using a ribbon piece of fabric to cover the seam? Looks very pretty and something to keep anyone busy for some time. I hope you do find time to do a tutorial I would welcome it.
ReplyDeleteYes, Chris each hexie is backed by a bigger hexie of a different fabric as the backing. There is batting the same size as the smaller hexie in between the two fabric hexies. Then each completed hexie is stitched together and on the back I cover the seam with a strip of fabric binding. I will try and write a tutorial in the near future. Thanks for visiting, lovely Chris. Kim Xx
DeleteKim I neglected to ask you on your last post, so my take on this is that I cut 3 hexies. Inside,outside and then the batting. Is This correct and then what are the sizes. Since it for my bed I'm not doing the extra binding on the back. Since you won't be able to check it out, I think I can get by with that.
ReplyDeleteOh my dear Kim, there you go inspiring me again on these beautiful hexies!! Which do you like more, the EPP or the other type that you do with the larger hexies? I do like the idea of the iron-on paper. I received and email from a quilt shop that used the EPP method and had the hexies cut out, but it wasn't quilt size. I admire you for all that cutting! Your quilt is going to be sumptuous. xx
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see these EPP hexagons I cannot help but wonder at the effort invested to make them. I am in awe with your ever growing collection of them and must applaud your neat stitches - they seem perfectly made. I must see that quilt when you are finished with it!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to try my hand at quilting for a very long time. This looks amazing and pretty and wonderful. I can't begin to imagine the amount of work that has gone into it.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
You amaze me! I wish I could fall in love with EPP like you have. I really need to get back to finish my grandmothers flower garden quilt which has hexie flowers. Love, love all that you are doing!!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Oh yes..you've caught the EPP fever of Hexi's! They are so fun to create and pile and admire. I giggled at thought of your husband driving around with a "movable" quilt. LOL!! Yes, these little guys will be much easier to travel with.
ReplyDeleteOh! The patience! But what lovely result. I am still on four squares when it comes to quilting, so I have a long way to go. I wish you many more enjoyable hours with hexies!Anna x
ReplyDelete