A hexagon? A wagon wheel? A snow flake? A Christmas Wreath? Sometimes a simple shape can be the most confusing to name. This week’s English Paper Piecing block is an example of how the humble hexagon can be transformed simply by changing the fabric colors and placements.
One of the first things a quilter learns when researching or designing a patchwork block is that color makes all the difference. Sometimes, the placement of light and dark fabric will change the overall look, and even the name of the block can be different because of the choices. In this week’s block, designing with three high contrast, warm colors created a star that was reminiscent of a yearly wheat harvest. Changing the fabric choices to a Christmas theme created a different look all-together. Since I am working on a vintage fabric quilt, I chose fabrics with less contrast, but still high impact because of the cream background. Whatever you choose, this pinwheel star is perfect for any season or palette.
Every year crafters work endless hours making the special items they hope will bring joy to others. On their own, they may not seem like such investments in time, but when added together into a collection, the magnitude of effort is revealed.
This year, I have decided to designate a decorated box for each of my children as a place to collect the items I am making with them in mind. It not only works as a way to stay organized, but it has the added advantage of becoming a treasure chest of sorts. Each item added, while on its own might seem simple or small, will become part of a collection representing the love I have for the recipient, and a reflection of the joy I experienced in the making of gifts.
There will be an added gift in the treasure box – a gift that I will receive. If fatigue or doubt threaten to dampen my seasonal joy, I can simply open the boxes one by one and see the result of my efforts. It will be a reminder that my fatigue is the price I have chosen to pay in order to make gifts, gifts crafted from love, for my children.
I discuss this treasure box idea in this week’s video. Plus I will share how I have used patchwork and printables to create ornaments for my Christmas tree. You will find below three downloadable files with patterns/templates for a few of the projects I share this week. I hope they bring you as much joy as they did me.
When I started my journey into English Paper Piecing just over three months ago, I never envisioned how much joy I would find in the process. While not my first slow-craft (the trendy way to call traditional crafting), it has been the most surprising. Yes, it is true, my aging eyes need excellent lighting to manage, and a needle threading tool is quite helpful, but the joy of creating with needle and thread is abundant.
Finding balance seems easier now that I have added an additional slow-craft to my life. Without the slower hand work of crafts like EPP, it is easy to feel everything in life needs to be high-speed production in order to have value. Life, yes even crafting life, can speed out of control until one unexpected obstacle or turn derails you. Recovery is then required before the journey can continue.
This week I share three EPP projects: one that took weeks to make, one that is a component of something bigger, and one that is full of holiday joy. Each brings with it the benefits of slow-crafting.
I often wonder if animals get as confused as we do when the weather doesn’t follow normal patterns. Based on a traditional Flying Geese pattern, this block takes a twist, with one column of geese flying in an opposite direction.
Confused Geese is a fairly straight forward block to piece. You construct each goose unit, apply sashing strips, and then borders. Much like the geese in my block, I was confused when I assembled it (as I discuss in my vlog this week), but the block worked out well despite my oops. I chuckled to think that the confusion the geese in the block were experiencing might have been contagious.
I hope you enjoy making this block as much as I did.
A block that benefits from the use of light, medium, and dark contrasting fabrics for greatest impact. It is also stunning when made with a low contrast collection of fabrics.
Still using 4 different fabrics, the blues are low contrasting for a subtle effect. Another option is to make it using one star fabric and one background fabric.
When the background fabric is changed to a dark contrast, the effect is dramatic.
This quilt layout uses 4 of the North Star blocks and a thin 1 inch border. Its finished size is 22 inches square.
This week’s vlog shares my finished Halloween Quilt and some handy zippered bags. I include resource link in the vlog description for those wanting to try the zippered bag either with machine embroidery or with traditional sewing methods.
In the world of crafting, the UFO is anything but a rare occurrence. UnFinished Objects, the UFO, can also be called unfinished fiber objects in the world of knitting and crochet. At its heart, the UFO is simply a project that, once stated, was never finished. It is important to distinguish the UFO from the Grab n Go projects many crafters keep at a ready for times when crafting is out in the wild (dentist’s office’s lobbies, children’s school performances, stressful social engagements). It is also important to note that the UFO should not be mistaken for the slow projects kept on hand for the occasional break from the must-make-as-fast-as-possible projects and what-was-I-thinking projects which often dominate the crafters time. The UFO is separate from the rest, often because it is tossed into a hidden corner and somewhat forgotten.
However, this languishing UFO is not the only type of UFO in the crafter’s universe. Sometimes a UFO is simply a project put aside because life gets in the way of finishing. It might even be relegated to the infamous To Do pile, much like mending a favorite item of clothing. Every indication says that it will get done, just not at this particular moment. These UFOs are often the joy-filled projects a crafter begins but a misjudgment of time for completion occurs.
It is one of these latter types of UFO I completed this week along with all my other fiber and fabric fun. I share my UFO bag, this week’s English Paper Piecing block, and a few quick projects in my vlog.
A block with so much potential. Change the colors and it can work for any season. I envisioned a Christmas Cactus when I put mine together.
Check out this weeks podcast for more adventures in fiber and fabric. This week I visited a fiber festival and brought home just a bit of fleece.
What’s it name? This week’s English Paper Piecing block may be traditionally called The Spool, but in my world the spool of thread and the bobbin of wool compete for dominance. Whatever you choose to call it, this block pattern adds a bit of a spin on the standard block pattern.
Plus more inspiration in this week’s podcast.
English Paper Piecing dominates my days, especially since there are so many seasonal inspirations simply begging to become EPP projects. This week I am sharing two blocks for my ongoing EPP quilt project, plus a quilt pattern I’ve named Ghosts & Lanterns.
In addition to these EPP projects, I share more seasonal projects in this week’s podcast. With autumn breezes finally cooling the air, I have returned to my sewing room with excitement. In fact, that is were I am off to now.
Happy Unwinding with Fiber and Fabric💜
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Important Note: This is an untested set of basic schematics for this quilt rather than instructions.
