57 Glorious Hexagons by Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! The latest count on my EPP [English Paper Piecing] Glorious Hexagons collection is now at 57. Here are the latest block additions using fabrics from Blank Quilting and StudioE.

From the Bugaboo collection, a Peter Max psychedelic style print.

Selective diamond cuts from Cheeky Pumpkins [TD-K Signature] and Essentials by StudioE
surrounded by a lime green Splash blender [Blank Quilting].

Hoot Loves You owls surround this black and white kitty from A Cat's Tale
by Sarah Frederking for StudioE Fabrics.
Black/white bicycles by Blank Quilting run the perimeter of this #13 Judy block.

A Sumatra batik and a Splash blender from Blank Quilting make up this #10 Kelley block.

A bumble bee print from Honey Berries by Jenelle Kent for Blank Quilting
and a coordinating Splash blender.

See what hexagons my friends are working on over at the Blank Quilting Q-bies and StudioE Fabrics Q-bies Facebook groups. I've seen some patriotic blocks to commemorate Memorial Day. I'll be digging through my stash to get out the stars and stripes so I can EPP a R-W-B hexie, too.

A quilting class with Pepper Cory—the complete package

Pepper Cory at A Mountain Quiltfest.

Last month, my quilting buddy, Cristy, and I were fortunate to get the last two openings in Pepper Cory's "Sweet Potato Quilts" class at A Mountain Quiltfest. Aside from Pepper Cory being a prolific quilter, a respected teacher and author, and an icon in the quilting industry, she is a fabric designer for StudioE Fabrics—one of the companies I rep. StudioE produced a number of Pepper's previous fabric collections and now offers her two current collections— Peppered Cottons and Brushstrokes—in its lineup. So, I wanted... I needed... to take a class... any class... she was teaching at the Quiltfest... just so I could... meet... her... in person! (ooooh, I was so thrilled to get in!)

If you've ever taken a class from Pepper Cory (and I hope I get the opportunity again), you know what I mean when I say "with Pepper, you get the complete package." Her extensive background in quilting and knowledge of all areas of the industry are woven throughout her discussion of the class project, the tools you're using, and in the demonstration of the technique. You get tips and instruction to help you with the class project, but you'll discover that other choice little nuggets get tossed into your toolbox for use in your quiltmaking endeavors down the road.

The project for this class, "Sweet Potato Quilts," was inspired by an antique quilt in Pepper's collection. Students were treated to the story behind this scrappy, orange-and-brown quilt as well as a history lesson about quilts from that era and the quiltmakers who made them.

Pepper Cory discusses the background of the orange and brown antique quilt.

Following the introduction to the project and the overview of the quilt block, there was an exploration of each student's fabrics. All the class participants got Pepper's suggestions and guidance on colors and prints that would work for our quilts. With the suggestions, Pepper interjected a lesson and Q&A on the Elements and Principles of Design and how they should be considered when making fabric choices. (See what I mean by the "complete package"?)

Fabric selections for my sweet potato quilt.

Pepper even helped one student re-draft the block pattern to suit her fabrics (a.k.a the complete package!).

Pepper helps a student re-draft the quilt block.

Several examples of sweet potato quilts were shown during the class. A handout and pattern for the block was provided. We had a demonstration on "marking" the paper foundations for the blocks (a new technique for me). And there was a discussion not only about piecing blocks and potential block layouts for the top, but consideration for potential quilting designs for hand and machine quilting. After all, it's not a quilt 'til it's quilted, right?

The Baptist fan design can be done by hand or machine.
These are examples of both (left by hand, right by machine).

Pepper enjoys big stitch quilting and discussed threads as well as thread manufacturers. Did you know that one thread company, Presencia, offers a 3-ply 60 wt. cotton? (Bonus nugget!)

Hand quilting on Pepper's current project using the big stitch (left), and
the hand quilting on a the antique quilt—showing knots and all (right).

Along with the big stitch, Pepper includes decorative embroidery stitches (see the white feather stitch on the lower left of the photo) on her quilts.

Detail of Big Stitch quilting and embroidery stitches
on one of Pepper Cory's Sweet Potato quilt.

By late afternoon of this full-day class, students had one or two completed blocks. Pepper assembled the group outside the classroom for a display of everyone's accomplishments. Even though we each chose different fabrics, the star block unified the composition and all our blocks could have easily been assembled together into a lovely quilt. Pepper suggested this block would be perfect for a group quilt or a block swap. (Again, the complete package.)

A group discussion of the Sweet Potato star block with ideas for
additional applications.

Students' Sweet Potato star blocks made in class.

As in many a class, unexpected situations or "teaching opportunities" can arise. The best teachers, in my opinion, are those that can capitalize on these unplanned instances and turn them into benefits—or "bonuses"—for the class participants. During a break, I brought in my fabric color card and quilt samples using Peppered Cottons. This is a clip of Pepper talking about her shot cotton fabric line [Peppered Cottons] and graciously promoting a vendor that had them in a booth on the show floor.

The second sample (quilt top) is a modified version of a pattern called "Point Taken" by
Boutiques and More. It uses two charm packs of Peppered Cottons by StudioE Fabrics.

Cristy and I invited Pepper to join us during the lunch break and she did. It was great to have lunch with Pepper and also bounce around ideas about StudioE's fabric lines—especially the new 108" Peppered Cotton wide backings that will be coming out this fall. Stay tuned! Be sure to contact YLQS (your local quilt shop) and request them.

Me with Pepper Cory at A Mountain Quiltfest.

A Mountain Quiltfest and Pepper Cory's class was a delightful and energizing experience for me. It was fun to spend the day piecing scrappy quilt blocks (on the student's side of the table), and listen to and learn from such a high caliber teacher. There were several other golden nuggets that I and my fellow students took away from this class—too many to mention here. Just know that if you ever get the chance to take a quilting class with Pepper Cory, don't miss it! She's the complete package.

This embellished photo is for Scott, the president of StudioE. Think his ears were burning???

Our outfits were even color-coordinated!

Glorious Hexagons Quilt Along—using a color board

We're having fun with EPP (English Paper Piecing) hexagon blocks in the Glorious Hexagons Quilt Along and posting and sharing pictures. Initially, I was piecing hexagons with random fabrics from various fabric companies just to get into the swing of the program and the technique. This "hexing with abandon" method can be crazy-fun, however, if you're looking for a more cohesive, unified look, you might consider creating and working with a color board.

Color board of cool colors; primarily blues and greens.

A tip that JoAnne at Paper Pieces suggested before I started the Glorious Hexagon Quilt Along, was to pull two or three "inspiration fabrics"—in essence, a color board—from which to base color and fabric choices. Most focal prints from a fabric collection are great choices for this. Above is a cool color board and below is a warm color board.

Color board of warm colors: yellows, oranges, reds.

From these main fabrics, you can add the supporting cast of coordinating prints and blenders. Here is how I flushed out these two color boards with other fabrics.

In the first, more blues and greens were added... light and dark... and a white to add a coolness and a sparkle... also a yellow-orange/cheddar-colored fabric to add a little zing (orange is the complement of blue).

Ensemble of fabrics for the blue/green color palette.

When choosing other ensemble members for your color board, remember the Elements of Design: value, texture and color; and the Principles of Design: scale, variety, contrast and repetition. This will make your color board interesting yet cohesive. Below is the warm color palette.

Ensemble of fabrics for the warm color palette.

Here is another color board that is grounded in grays (white, black and grays) with accents of rich, bright jewel tones.

Whites, grays and blacks highlighted with bright colors.

Blender fabrics do a great job giving breadth and depth to this grayscale color board.

Adding interest and extending the color range with tonal blenders.

Hexagon block #19 Nicole illustrates the use of the red, blue and green tonal blenders with black/white prints.

#19 Nicole block from "The New Hexagon" book and Glorious Hexagons.

For another take on the concept of color boards, here is a video of Nathan Turner for Pottery Barn, creating and working with a mood board. It's just a matter of starting with things you like and auditioning additions so everything goes together.

As a fabric collection is built around a main fabric or focus print, a color board provides a roadmap for choosing other fabrics and coordinates. So, you might try orchestrating your Glorious Hexagon symphony around a color board to help with the fabric decision-making process. If you like the "Hexie with Abandon" approach, then have fun with the process and see where your hexagons take you. Nothing wrong with either path!

8 essential tools for English paper piecing your Glorious Hexagons

Including my latest Yuki dog hexagon block, I've completed 30 blocks thus far in the Glorious Hexagons Quilt-along. These EPP [English paper pieced] polygons are very portable—whether you travel from city to city or from your quilting room to the living room. I carry my equipment, completed blocks and partial block bits in a small tote bag. So what's in the bag, you ask?

30 English paper pieced "Glorious Hexagons"

My 8 Gotta-Haves in the EPP Quilt-along Tool Bag:
1) THE Book. (Pronounced "thee," with a capital "B" in book). You need Katja Marek's The New Hexagon book because the numbered blocks in the book are referenced in the monthly paper piecing kits. The book also has instructions for English paper piecing along with a few more hexie projects (should you desire more).

"The New Hexagon" book by Katja Marek.

2) Hand sewing needles. The EPP experts at Paper Pieces recommend a #10 sharp or #10 straw needle for piecing the hexagons. These needles have small round eyes and nice sharp points. They easily pierce and glide through fabric (and the paper, if you use that method). The shaft is uniform in size with the straw needles being slightly longer by comparison. If you prefer a different size needle, remember the bigger the number, the finer and shorter the needle. A handy Guide to Hand Sewing Needles can be found on the John James web site here.

The Gotta-haves in my EPP Tool Bag: 1. The New Hexagon book, 2. needles,
3. thread and (optional) conditioner,  4. straight pins, 5. acrylic templates,
6. paper pieces, 7. scissors, 8. pencils.

3) Thread. I use a good quality 50 wt. cotton thread for basting the fabric around the paper templates. I use up the "just a little bit left" spools. However, my go-to thread for hand piecing the hexagon bits into finished blocks is Wonderfil's 80 wt. DecoBob. It is a strong, fine weight polyester thread with a matte finish. The best part is that your stitches are nearly invisible on the right side! I have a package of DecoBob pre-wound bobbins with lots of colors and change thread color depending on the color of the fabrics I'm piecing. Optional: Thread Magic is a thread condition that minimizes knots and tangles in your thread when hand sewing. I use this occasionally on the cotton basting thread, but haven't found I needed it with the DecoBob polyester. (Ask YLQS about Thread Magic.)

4) Straight pins. I prefer glass head silk dress-making straight pins for my quilting and sewing projects. The glass heads will not melt if the iron accidentally touches them. The "silk" identification equates to these pins being thin, smooth and sharp so they don't make big holes (in delicate fabrics like silk). They are strong and about 1-3/8" long. I have a lot of these so use them for EPP as well.

5) Paper templates. Get the monthly kits from Paper Pieces and all the work is done for you. Open the resealable plastic bag and start in on the fun part!

Selective cutting or "fussy cutting" multiple motifs from the fabric.

6) Acrylic templates. If you want to take your Glorious Hexagons to the apex of magnificence, you'll want to do some selective cutting (fussy cutting) of your fabrics. The New Hexagon 32-piece acrylic template set is a must-have to achieve excellence with this technique (and prevent bad words from coming out of your mouth). Each template has the 3/8" seam allowance built in, a white outline indicating the image area (the finished view of the piece), and a label indicating its shape, size and what it's used for (ie. 1-3/4" Equilateral Triangle, or 1-1/2" 6-point 60-degree Diamond).

Acrylic template for fussy cutting multiple shapes from fabric.

7) Scissors. For cutting fabric and thread. I use small embroidery scissors for cutting lengths of thread for piecing and larger fabric scissors for cutting the fabric pieces.

8) Pencil(s). For tracing around the acrylic templates to mark the cutting lines on your fabrics. If you have dark fabric, consider a white Prismacolor or a chalk marking pencil.

1 to 8. These are the essentials in my EPP Tool Bag. I'm ready to take my Glorious Hexagons on the road. What's in your bag?

Doggie hexagon block

This one's for you, Yuki dog!

Glorious Hexagon Quilt Along: block #36
"Dog Park" fabric collection by Sarah Frederking.

My hexagons are glorious and scrappy

I've been EPP-ing (English Paper Piecing) my Glorious Hexagons, and it's becoming quite addictive. Because of the possibilities this technique has to offer, I find myself looking at fabrics in a totally different way.

Progress with the "Glorious Hexagon Quilt Along"

I quilt by the philosophy, "Why use 5 when you can use 50?" and I also adore scrappy quilts. So for right now, I'm just enjoying the EPP process while using random fabrics from Blank Quilting and StudioE Fabrics. Here are a few of them.

From "By the Sea" by StudioE Fabrics.

"A Stitch in Time" and a Splash blender by Blank Quilting.

"Natural Wonders" and "By the Sea" by Elizabeth Isles from StudioE.

Shoes from "Lady Claire" and "Bonita" from Blank Quilting.

"Gentle Forest," Autumn Elegance" and "By the Sea" from StudioE.

Several friends and I are also posting photos of Glorious Hexies and other projects made with fabrics from Blank Quilting and StudioE on our Blank Quilting Q-bies and StudioE Fabrics Q-bies Facebook groups. Come over and join in the fun.

Glorious Hexagons: a Quilt-Along with Paper Pieces

I've joined the Glorious Hexagons Quilt-Along!

Each time I visit Paducah, KY, I try to stop in to see the gang at Paper Pieces—JoAnne, Cathy, Jess... and Lily [the dog], of course. Cathy always apprises me of the latest and greatest quilts, books, kits and projects that English Paper Piecing [EPP] aficionados are pumped up about. Needless to say, her excitement is contagious and you want to take home "one of each, please!"

With a renewed interest in the Slow Stitching Movement and giving a presentation on "Quilting with Hexies" at my quilt guild, I've noticed that hexagons have creeped into several of my quilting projects. Last November when I was visiting Paper Pieces, I was blown away by the quilt sample showcasing the newest hexie craze—Glorious Hexagons—which is the basis for the 2016 Glorious Hexagons Quilt Along. Have you heard about it?

The program—and the quilt—was inspired by Katja Marek's book, "The New Hexagon," and subsequently escalated by Kim McLean and Liza Prior Lucy who took it to the next level by creating a "glorious" hexagon sampler.

OK... twist my arm a little harder... I'm in.

Oh, and I'm not alone in this fate. There was minimal arm twisting for several of my fabric rep friends to join in the fun as well. We started two Facebook groups to share Glorious Hexagon blocks, progress and other quilty endeavors. Feel free to join in!

Here are my first Glorious Hexagon blocks. The size of the finished hexagons are 6" regardless of how many pieces are used.

Judy Block #13 using "A Cat Tale" and tonal blenders
with the paw prints from a Kitty Kat fabric line.

Some hexagons have as few as three pieces. Several have more. You'll need Katja's "The New Hexagon" book to see the block layouts and participate in the Quilt-Along.

Carol Block #2: A Stitch in Time and a blender.
Joyce Block #51: Around Town and two blenders.

The pieced hexagons are interspersed with single-fabric hexagons. They all can be fussy-cut from your fabrics. Here are a few examples.

Prints from collections by Elizabeth Isles (Natural Wonders, By the Sea)
lend themselves beautifully to the 6" hexagon blocks.

Are you hexed yet? If you decide to give this program a go (and you absolutely should), you'll be looking at quilting fabrics in a whole new way. I'll post my discoveries and tips in future blog posts. In the meantime, check out the Q-bies groups on Facebook [Note: these groups are no longer supported] and help us build a repertoire of inspiration.

Novelty zippered pouches—a quick make

Got miscellaneous bits and baubles that need to stay together? Small tools, pencils, art supplies, that you need to carry around? Working on a small project that you take on-the-go? These cute little pouches do the trick to keep all your stuff together and safely stored. 

Small pouch: Natural Wonders fabric by Elizabeth Isles.
Large pouch: A Cat Tale by Sarah Frederking.

[Note: these fabrics are likely no longer available, but at the time of the post, they were purchased at Chattanooga Quilts and Sew 'n So Quilt Shop.]

I whipped up several of these pouches in December for holiday gifts. They are easy to make and fairly quick (depending on how much piecing and quilting you want to do), but best of all, you can customize them by using novelty fabrics that suit the likes or hobbies of the recipient.

Novelty zippered pouches make great gifts.
They can be personalized using novelty fabrics reflecting
 the likes or hobbies of the recipient.

This blue one was for my niece with the thought she can carry her pencils, paintbrushes and other art supplies in it. I thought she'd like the colorful improv piecing.

Novelty Zippered Pouch

The inside of it has bats. Don't they look like they're flying around inside the bag trying to escape? This purple bat fabric was from the Spooktacular collection by Western Denim and Dirt. [If you like this fabric, check with YLQS (your local quilt shop) as it might be on sale this time of year.]

Zippered Pouch with Spooktacular bats inside.

Recently, I was asked to do a class on how to put in a zipper. I think this project fits the bill. Stay tuned...

Quilters: Do you have a word for 2016?

I was reading Upstate Lisa's blog post about how she considered and found her "word for 2016." She chose "Happiness." A fine word, and a great choice. While I don't really make New Year's resolutions, choosing an inspirational word to start off a new year is kind of a cool idea.

If you're a quilter, however, it's not just a matter of choosing a word, but quilting it!

"Defining Contours," a free-motion quilting class using micro fills and more.

Are you up for this? Quilting your New Year's inspirational word?

"Defining Contours," my latest free-motion quilting class, fits the bill. I'll be teaching it in Huntsville, Alabama at Huntsville Sew and Vac on Saturday, January 23. Contact the shop or you can register on-line (eeeeasy).

When I was developing this free-motion quilting class, I didn't consciously consider the "word for the new year" concept but I think it's very apropos for January, and the start of the 2016 year. Here's a peek into the class...

The "Defining Contours" class sample features
Meadowlark and Peppered Cottons fabrics from StudioE Fabrics.

My class sample (above) features one of my favorite blender fabrics—a quilting-weight shot cotton that is fabulous for showing off your free-motion quilting—Peppered Cottons by Pepper Cory [for StudioE Fabrics]. Have you ever done free-motion quilting on a Peppered Cotton? Luscious. See this blog post and this post and you'll see why I chose this fabric.

100 wt. InvisaFil thread by WonderFil.

The thread we'll be using for this free-motion work is InvisaFil [by WonderFil Threads] and it's perfect for the micro fills that will define the contours and elevate your word... right... off... the... quilt.

Class kits have fabrics from the Blue Bird collection
by Jennifer Brinley for StudioE Fabrics.

Meadowlark, one of Jennifer Brinley's earlier fabric collections for StudioE Fabrics is shown in my sample above, but students taking the class will receive fabrics in their class kit from Jennifer's new collection, Blue Bird, along with a coordinating Peppered Cotton.

The associates at Huntsville Sew and Vac have kits prepared for the class and the store has any other supply you might need... so don't worry about hunting for the fabrics and specific supplies. Attendees just need to bring the basics and their favorite FMQ (free-motion quilting) tools. A supply list is available upon class registration. (And you'll want to get it sooner rather than later because there is a little pre-work for the class.)

"Defining Contours," a NEW free-motion quilting class.

Are you ready to quilt up your 2016 word with me? Join me in Huntsville, AL on January 23 and we'll get your New Year started on the right foot—with a free-motion foot!

Hand bookmaking with fabric: Binding and finishing the Farm Friends book

Are you ready for the binding and finishing of the Farm Friends soft book? The earlier production steps can be found in this post.

Binding and Finishing

Now that the signatures for the Farm Friends soft book are complete, they need to be gathered and collated in preparation for the binding. 

Two 4-page signatures and book cover of "Farm Friends" soft book.

Stack the signatures on top of the inside front/back covers. Check to make sure the pages are sequential (reader spreads) before you commit to the sewing.

Binding the book: Saddle Binding
In printing terms, "stitching" refers to the use of wire staples to secure the signatures of a book. When bookbinding thread is used to bind a book, it is called "sewing," or Smyth sewing. In quilting and sewing, the terms "stitching" and "sewing" mean much the same thing.

Take the prepared stack of signatures and pin or hand baste them in place in preparation for the saddle binding. The term "saddle binding" comes from the equipment that is used in book production. The signatures straddle a device similar to sitting on a saddle. For the fabric book, the signatures are laid out flat and sewn through the center of the pages, in the gutter. A saddle binding (as opposed to a side binding) allows a book to open flat.

Pin the signatures in preparation for bookbinding.

Binding by machine or by hand
If binding your soft book by machine, it's a good idea to use your machine's walking foot or an even-feed foot. If you enjoy hand sewing, this is a great opportunity for a bit of hand work—which is what I did on my book. I decided to try out a new 12 wt. thread I got in a Sulky Petites thread sampler pack. I used a backstitch.

Saddle binding the soft book by machine (left) or by hand (right).

Once the saddle binding is done, your soft book is complete. I particularly liked the fact that the book's cover is slightly larger than the text pages (a nice detail!). This protects the inside pages (one job of the cover), keeps them from peeking out when the book is closed and makes for a nice tidy presentation.

The cover extends beyond the inside pages of the book.

Be sure to fill out the bookplate on the back cover with your Ex Libris.

Farm Friends bookplate.

Creative Bookmaking and Embellishing
A soft book like this one can be sewn and assembled in an hour or two for the quilter or sewer with some experience. It is also a wonderful beginner sewing project. You might also consider these creative techniques for embellishing, enhancing or "illuminating" the pages of a soft book panel:

• thread painting the farm animals or background scenes
• embroidery and hand stitched embellishments
• free-motion quilting
• top stitching or edge stitching the pages—metallic threads could simulate gilding
• the small format is ideal to experiment with surface design techniques.

Got ideas? Leave me a comment! The creative possibilities for quilters, sewers and fabric book artists are boundless (pun intended?).

With a couple hours invested in the bookmaking, this soft book will also provide hours of reading enjoyment for you and a youngster. What better gift is there than to give a book... or to read and re-read it aloud to a child... or listen to a new young reader read it aloud to you?

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Bookbinding tools for making Soft Books
In addition to my sewing machine, these are the tools I used for my soft book production. The bone folder has a blunt tip and rounded edges and can be used for folding and scoring paper as well as a point turner for soft books. The other tools are basic sewing tools.

Bookmaking tools: appliqué scissors, bone folder, point turner,
threads for machine or hand binding.

A note of Thanks and Gratitude to the professors in my undergraduate (NIU) and graduate (RIT) schools who instilled the love of typography, printing and bookmaking in me and fellow classmates: John Henry, Archie Provan, Jim Mannino, Emery Schneider, Werner Rebsamen, Joe Brown, Dr. Julius Silver, Joe Noga, David Pankow and also to Frank Ramano.

Here is the print production video from this post.