While doing some research on incorporating embroidery in English Paper Piecing, I found the perfect way to bring both together - Mollie Johanson of Wild Olive is doing a FREE Jam a Month Stitch Club this year using EPP!
Download the patterns
Mollie has already made the first 6 patterns available on her blog:January: Orange Marmalade
February: Cherry Preserves
March: Raspberry Jam
April: Grapefruit Jam
May: Blueberry Jelly
June: Pineapple Marmalade
You can try your hand at embroidery and EPP using these patterns or there is also an option for cross-stitch too!
Mollie's Jam of the Month Quilt
This weekend I carefully cut out all the EPP shapes Mollie provided for the mini EPP quilt, so I could try to visualize the size and how it fits together:
Ok, I am almost convinced that I should try to make this mini quilt... but I admit I'm intimidated because I've never made a quilt before! But a small one does seem like a good way to start...
Fun with Half Hexagons
In the meantime, I started playing with half hexagons in a nice orange, to match my cute jam embroidery:
When you cut hexagons in half, there are so many possibilities for framing a central hexagon! The arrangement above is one way...
Here is another:
And here is yet another possibility!
Please note my edges don't exactly match up because I forgot to include the seam allowance in my half hexagons - if you cut your half hexagons properly, they should line up perfectly!
If Only Quilting Was Taught in School
I admit I had a hard time in geometry (they always said in school that you would either be good at geometry OR algebra but not both) algebra was a bit more my thing as it was more like writing sentences and learning a language.As much as I love shapes and color, drawing them out in geometry and the very dry way they were discussed bored me to death. But sliding these colorful shapes around taught me more about angles and shapes than I ever learned as a child. Maybe basic quilting would be a good subject for school, as it teaches you so much more than how to make a blanket!
Ok, so I've really traveled far afield in this post - suffice it to say EPP has changed my perspective on quilting and handmade items, and I thoroughly recommend it!
If you're looking for an easy, free way to start with English paper piecing, Mollie's Jam a Month Stitch Club is perfect!
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