Thursday, July 3, 2014

Fussy Cutting and a Giveaway

Hi, kids! Since my previous EPP project went together quickly but was less than satisfactory to me, I decided I needed another one. This one is going together much more swimmingly. It's all hexies, so it's going together quite fast while my rear is plopped on the couch watching Ballykissangel (which reminds me of Northern Exposure except, y'know...Irish), and catching up on the most recent season of Downton Abbey. I don't know if any of you follow along with the sewing adventures of Flossie Teacakes, but she has been working on a massive EPP project that made my jaw hit the floor a few times as she posted progress shots on Instagram. I acknowledge that I do not yet have that practiced eye for selecting fabrics for paper piecing that will result in a kaleidoscopic effect, but one has to start somewhere, so I picked up a few things at Joann's to practice fussy cutting.

This is currently what's making up my EPP kit:

Cute little folding scissors that were too cute to pass up (because I have a scissors fetish as well as a ruler fetish), straw/milliner's needles which are crazy thin and a little bit flexible but poke through fabric like a hot knife through butter, super amazing nearly invisible thread that is also super strong, and Sewline by Moda fabric glue (I'd like to tell you it's the same as ordinary fabric glue but it really is much nicer for this kind of project).

I picked up a few fat quarters at Joann's, as well as about a half yard of this fabric.

I'd love to know why this fabric looks dirty in the photo--I assure you it is not :)

Armed with my paper pieces, I drew up a template so I could fussy-cut a la this tutorial


My original plan was to have essentially one giant hexie flower, but when I went to lay things out I realized they weren't going to line up just the way I wanted, so I went with a new plan (which I'm getting very good at). I've got a central 'hub' in one color, and then six fussy-cut 'flowers' that will surround it.


The fabric is a little more doodley than it looks, which I noticed once I started trying to match up my template on the same sections across the fabric. Some of the sections are not exactly the same, which I didn't pick up on right away and so tried to force things a little bit. As such, the matching is a little less precise than I'd like, but only close-up and if you're really looking for it. I'm considering this a practice piece anyway, and the point of practicing is working out the mistakes and the hiccups for when it's time to get serious (if one can consider gluing fabric to paper and sewing it together 'serious').


So what say we do a little bit of a giveaway? I've got a large pack of hexagons, and the template that goes with them, as well as one fun little miniature sewing kit to give to one of you.


I love the template as it's got the outline ready-made for fussy cutting and a generous seam allowance. The little sewing kit is actually a nice little kit inside--


Everything you need for a quick repair is in there (the needles are in that cute little case near the seam ripper) and those scissors are quality for something so teeny. I don't even need to point out how cute the outside is, do I? I will, but I don't need to, harharhar. If you're interested I've got some in my shop you can score for yourself (or for others--who doesn't need something like this for torn hems and popped buttons?).


To enter the drawing for the hexie papers, the template, and the sewing kit, simply leave a comment on this post telling me the most recent thing you've made. You've got until next Friday, July 11, at 11:59 EDT to enter. I'll pick a winner the next day-ish. I'll ship anywhere, so everyone is free to enter. Good luck!

52 comments:

  1. This would be perfect for my vacation. I just finished a Faceted Jewels in brights for my granddaughter,some mesh bags and a teeny patriotic piece for the fourth. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  2. In the last two weeks I have finished a king size log cabin with MANY appliqued flowers and leaves (for my son's wedding) and started and finished a small doll quilt (for my granddaughter's birthday) and a hand embroidered and hand quilted snowman table runner (for my daughter-in-law's birthday). Now I am back to working on my long term queen size EPP project using 5/8" hexies. I would love to win this giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your EPP. A bunch of ladies in my quilt group do EPP as their summertime project, because it is just so portable. Of course, I am not in that group. In the summer, I get some of my best knitting done. I find it is the perfect thing for sitting in outside, under a tree. I just started a baby sweater today.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi!!!! That little sewing kit is adorable!!!! I love your fussy cut hexies!!!! Thanks for the fun give away!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the fussy cuttting! The block with the orange is my favorite. Those doodle fabrics are pretty hard to match, but I'm not even great at fussy cutting fabric that has a perfect repeat. I love the little sewing kit too... that is really cute! My most recent project was a knit shrug/cropped jacket/bolero, and I'm in the middle of sewing a skirt for one of my daughters. =)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Apart from dinner? A boxy Star Wars pouch for my daughter. And some needle books.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a fantastic giveaway. The fabric is adorable all fussy cut and put together. Looks completely different and that little case is so cute. I've finished making my first large quilt that I made as a tester for someone so can't post it too my blog just yet but I am so in love with it.
    Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great giveaway, the sewing kit is sweet. I have just made an A line skirt and sewn all the ends in on a granny square blanket. I am happy to see a rainy morning as I want to make 2 more skirts and then start a Ripple Crochet Blanket.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for a great giveaway!
    I've just made a baby quilt for my niece's baby !

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great give away! I've done a couple of hexi blocks, but most recently I've been working on my first sew-in frame for a coin purse. Thanks for the opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  11. i don't want to be included in the giveaway thanks as I don't like EPP, but I thought you might be interested in this: http://gnomeangel.com/fussy-cutters-club-first-link-party/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great give away. Recently finished two doll dresses and am now working on redwork blcoks and hexagons. Two separate projects but that way I don't get bored. Thanks for the opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love your EPP . . . they are beautiful! I have done a little EPP and enjoy the hand process of it. I would love to win these . . . and the sewing case is adorable! Thank you & happy sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Recently finished a lap quilt for a friend and a birthday dress and matching purse for my granddaughter. I like doing EPP when I am in the car - doesn't make me queasy like reading does.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I finished up a table runner for a monthly class that I took. Now, I am quilting a wall hanging that has been waiting patiently to be quilted.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just finished sewing a pillow made out of a vintage napkin for one of the women in my handmade birthday swap. Great giveaway, love how easy you make it look!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am attempting to make a macrame plant holder for my newly acquired tiny potted plant. The pot is only 10" in circumference and 3" tall including the plant. The sewing kit is so cute but I'm really eyeing the scissors.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The most recent thing I made was a patchwork table cloth for our kitchen table. sarah@forrussia.org

    ReplyDelete
  19. So cute! I've been thinking about trying hexies! Last finished project was a batik brick quilt for my nephew- all tropical colors- with tropical colored flannels on the back in a strip and flip layout.
    allisonpogany@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Gorgeous hexie blocks.Just finished a mini top.I tested a pattern and right I am preparing my BOM`s blocks in which I `m in to sew them and some Dear Jane blocks.Have a great weekend and thanks for the fun!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love your hexies. The last thing I made was an appliqued owl block for a quilt I am making.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I finished a fall table topper it is appliqued pumpkins in a patch. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've been making baby quilts. Love your sewing kit doll I had that same one but gave it away!! I hope I win:)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I have been completing old projects that have been in bags for years.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I made an Elsa costume for my granddaughter. Now she wants Anna too! Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am finishing up on the FQShops 2013 Mystery Quilt, just in time too as the 2014 starts NOW! So much fun. I need to learn how to do these paper hexies, so pick me :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I just made my granddaughter a pair of shorts and an appliqued t-shirt to match.
    kdavis1@centurytel.net

    ReplyDelete
  28. I've sewn a polkadot bow headband for my daughter, to match a dress I'd sewn last year :)
    maryallhandmade@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. The last items I made were sets of coasters for July 4th holiday. Thank you for the lovely giveaway! I have been wanting to start some hexies!

    ReplyDelete
  30. The most recent thing I made was a knitted wash cloth, which I finished yesterday. During summer I am working on my first ever EPP project, so this prize is awsome to win!

    jachelno at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. What wonderful summer fun! Hexies are great for take-along projects. The most recent thing I finished was a baby quilt for a co-worker. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Well darn it all... Ain't that sweet?!! I just finished making a baby quilt with Pinwheels and Prairie Points and I also made a long table runner based on the same design!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I just finished two flannel rag quilts for my nieces. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

    ReplyDelete
  34. The last project I made were a couple of hot pads for my sister.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Adorable set!! My project bag will loooove for it to come live with us! :)

    Last project I made, am working on still, it's a Baby Quilt from a Jelly Roll. Almost finished!

    ReplyDelete
  36. The most recent thing that Ive made is a crocheted shawl.I used rainbow yarn.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love your hexie flowers. I couldnt tell they dont line up they look pretty good to me. My most recent project is a set of 50's style head scarves.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I made a hat for my husband with Melly Sews tutorial. Thanks for the great giveaway!
    ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. The flower hexies are fab! I just finished a bag as a pattern tester and the next project I started is a friendship star table runner.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Last thing I finished was a baby quilt. I'm almost (30 minutes??) done with a baby bib, but obviously distracted right now!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I think your flowers look great! You have more of an eye for it than you let on :) I love EPP for keeping myself busy when in the car, on a break at work, etc... Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm in the middle of making a "fairytale" dress as a baby shower gift! It's out of some really soft pink voile, tulle, and some lipstick pink satin for the sash. I'm looking forward to finishing it so I can move onto something less fiddly!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I made a little fussy cut hexie pincushion. Mine was not to my satisfaction either - went a bit wonky where I stitched it up at the end. Oh well fine for stabbing with pins I guess. I also love Flossie Teacakes and aspire to her awesomeness!! One day...

    ReplyDelete
  44. Wow, beautiful! Most recent thing made was a soft book for my daughter. Currently working on a matching/I-spy quilt for her. Thanks for the entry.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I recently finished making 8 aprons which I gave away. I encountered your blog on my journey to find out more about making a hexi quilt. Here's hoping I win this giveaway as it would give me the supplies (paper pieces and template) I need to get started. That sewing kit is so cute. Thanks for the opportunity. kthurn@bektel.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I'm making bibs and baby clothes! My sister is expecting a boy in August

    ReplyDelete
  47. I just made a sewing kit, but have been itching to do some more EPP, I just need to find the right project.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I am just finishing up the sewing on the strips of my first strip quilt! Loving it!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Oh my! I would LOVE to win this. I've been wanting to learn how to do paper piecing and this would be perfect. And yes...I love the doll sewing kit, so cute!!

    The latest thing I've made is a doll for a birthday party. I've got another 4 sitting on my sewing table right now waiting to be put together, for my new Etsy shop I just opened. If anyone is interested:

    https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheAccordionDoor

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Burp clothes and receiving blankets for twins

    ReplyDelete
  51. I've just finished a couple of summer dresses for my baby grand-daughter.
    Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I've not tried EPP as yet. Yay! I've been making friendship star blocks for a wall quilt. If only the cat would stay out of the process. : ) Thanks for the opportunity. Notwendy gmail

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...