P: is for Paper Piecing - Sisters, What!

P: is for Paper Piecing

As a Mom on the go, I have found that I will find moments where I am waiting, confused? Let me explain, I love being a Mom and being a student has been rewarding but there is little down time. But there are always a few moments here and there, because I am waiting at the school for the boys to get out.  Or rushing to soccer practice and then waiting.  The boys playing at the park or even having their friends over.  Now that they are older they want the freedom of running on their own, so I watch from a distance. While I love that my boys are active and I encourage that activity, I hate wasting that few moments of quiet.  Normally reading my books is what I do to fill those moments but I had found myself itching for something more constructive and creative.
Then my brother's family came up to visit from Utah.  And my sister in law Brittany was working on English Paper Piecing.  She quickly shared with me the basics and I was hooked.  Sewing has been something that has helped me stayed focused and relaxs me in stressful times but it isn't normally portable.  Paper Piecing is portable and I can pick it up for 5 minutes or 30 minutes depending on the situations.  It has also started some great conversations during playgroups and park outings.  I can also work on it in the car during trips.  So while I can't always get out my sewing machine at least I can sneak in a few minutes of relaxation more often.

My Paper Piecing


I am using 2 inch hexagons.  
These are the papers (precut bought in package) and cut fabric pieces.  
The clear plastic on the right is my template to cut the fabric.


Here are the hexagons after having fabric sewn on.


My finished flowers. 
I haven't quite decided on the color fabric that will go between.


I found that snapware has some great size containers that fit right in my purse.
This is my small one for on the go.


 This larger container stores my finished flowers and hexagons waiting to become flowers.
While I still have a long way to go it is nice to have a project without a deadline.  

Brittany Burton's Thoughts on Paper Piecing:
(I am excited to share more from Brittany tomorrow)
Brittany Bio:
Brittany is a sister-in-law to the creative gals of Sisters, Sisters. She is a stay-at-home mom who loves all things fabric and sewing. When she's not chasing after her two little girls or stitching, she is reading. You can visit her at: www.attackofthebooks.com

I love English paper piecing. One of the most common patterns used with English paper piecing is hexagons. But there are so many possibilities beyond just hexies. Katy Jones from I'm a Ginger Monkey, does a lot of great English paper piecing that I love: 




 Hexagon Quilts that I love


I would love to replicate this some day.  This was made with tiny hexagons.
I wish I could give credit to the maker. I took this picture at a quilt show in Springville, Utah.



This is from of my favorite website on quilting.  Crazy Mom Quilts,
 this picture shows that you can paper piece with other shapes.

Hexy MF

I love this quilt and the grey surrounding it.
This is from I am Ginger Monkey


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6 comments

  1. Such impressive patterns! My readers at FaveQuilts would love to see more.

    Kathryn

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  2. gorgeous-- I"ve been trying to get into more handwork. Love the hexies!

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  3. This is exactly why I love paper piecing - it takes the stress and boredom out of hanging around! Love the way yours is coming along :) Stephie @ www.dawnchorusstudio.com

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  4. Hi. I love this type of paper piecing. A tip that I found helpful and time-saving is to cut your hexies out of freezer paper. Use a holepunch to make a hold in the center of each paper. Iron them waxed side face-down onto the back of your fabric, leaving enough room between each for seam allowances. Cut out your fabric hexies with the papers on them remembering to cut your hexies with a seam allowance added, baste the fabric onto the paper as you normally would. After you have your hexies basted and sewn together into your flowers and have removed the basting stitches, you can remove the paper by simply slipping your needle point into the hole and pop the paper out. The papers can be used multiple times. Sorry if this sounds confusing. It really does save time and works well. It does not leave any residue on the fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi. I love this type of paper piecing. A tip that I found helpful and time-saving is to cut your hexies out of freezer paper. Use a holepunch to make a hold in the center of each paper. Iron them waxed side face-down onto the back of your fabric, leaving enough room between each for seam allowances. Cut out your fabric hexies with the papers on them remembering to cut your hexies with a seam allowance added, baste the fabric onto the paper as you normally would. After you have your hexies basted and sewn together into your flowers and have removed the basting stitches, you can remove the paper by simply slipping your needle point into the hole and pop the paper out. The papers can be used multiple times. Sorry if this sounds confusing. It really does save time and works well. It does not leave any residue on the fabric.

    ReplyDelete

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