ENGLISH PAPER PIECING
I’m not sure why, but I’m going through a non-sewing phase right now. I haven’t really touched my sewing machine too much recently even though there is a pile up of projects I’d like to do – new Birdie Sling with Far Far Away II fabric, new dress from Built by Wendy Dresses, tea towels and napkins. Of course, let’s not talk about the pile of unfinished projects.
The one thing I’m really enjoying right now is English Paper Piecing. About six months ago, I embarked on a mini hexagon project (.75″) made up of all shades of grey and bits of persimmon pink. I had so much fun finding all my bits of grey fabric. Johanna even scoured her collection for some lovely grey prints for me. I filled a tin up with my hexies, but when it came to sewing them together I hit a bit of a stumbling block. My stitches seemed to be really visible. I kept trying different stitches, each one worse than the last. Discouraged that it wasn’t turning out very well, I put the project down.
It wasn’t until a couple weeks ago when I was watching Johanna work on her own hexagons that I realized she was stitching them good sides together where I had been stitching them wrong sides together. WHAT?!! I don’t have a clue why I thought they were sewn together wrong sides together. It is standard sewing practice to put ‘good sides together’ for everything. Feeling extremely silly, I revisited my tin of hexagons and now I’m finally sewing all 200-ish of them together. Lesson : even someone who’s been sewing for a heck of a long time can get stumped on the simplest little detail.
I’m sewing them together randomly and organically. I thought this might end up being a pillow, but now I’m wondering about making some type of wall hanging. I think it would be cool to keep the organic shape, mount it and hang it on the wall. What do you think?
27 comments
How lowely! And, what a great idea….the grey colors with just a bit of pink. Very, very interesting.
I hope you know I meant “lovely!” lol
How completely and utterly seeing this takes me back to being a child. My great Grandmother (Nana), Grandma and Mum all used to make these and I used to play with them on the rug in front of the fire. I am sure if I root in the workbox I inherited from Nana there would be a few paper pieces waiting to be sewn up. Maybe I should do that.
Oh wow, those look amazing! They make me want to sit down with all my languishing sewing projects.
i don’t have wall space for hangings so i would go for something useful like the pillow. but if you have the space…go for it. they look cool!
love the colour combination. I vote for the wall hanging in the organic shape. Beautiful as usual, Karyn.
Beautiful! I love the colors! I love pink and grey together…such a lovely combination. I love your idea for a wall hanging maintaining the organic shape of the hexagons. I could also see it as a lovely throw size quilt.
These would look so fantastic as a wall hanging! Also, it is so comforting to know that other people need to take a break from the things that they love. My sewing machine is need of some attention–he’s been a little lonely lately.
love your hexies. i’m currently making some myself. can’t wait to see how your project grows organically.
Definitely leaving it as an organic shape.
One of my (many) projects is to make an organically shaped hexagon quilt. Maybe somehow weighted on the ends to keep you snuggled?
i love it! and it’s so amazing how teeny they are. can’t wait to see the end result!
Just beautiful, Karyn. I can’t wait to see it finished!
I love them! I used to do those ages and ages ago. I remember making a waistcoat front from them when I was at college. Very therapeutic I seem to remember.
The fabrics you chose look beautiful together, can’t wait to see the final piece!
I’m sewing hexagons right this instant, too! Congrats on unlocking the secret;)
Heyy I just found your blog today and really I’m in love with everything you have done! They’re really inspiring. Where do you get all the different kinds of cloth from…?
To quote the ladies of Gee’s Bend, have fun with your “box of beautiful”.
OMG!!! I found a really old rectangle made of gathered circles all sewn together in my mom’s keepsake box and had it framed, but I had no idea what it was until you made this post! How weird!
Love it. I think it would be a great wall hanging. Would love to see a tutorial..
these hexagons seem to be all the rage lately. I really want to try these!
these are so lovely! i’m new to the concept of english paper piece and now can’t wait to start one. thank you!
Karyn your hexagons are beautiful! I just took the class with Johanna (Oddly, I happened to witness your conversation about sewing them good sides together!) and am inspired to do something hexy too. I was thinking a cushion, but I LOVE your idea of a wall hanging.
So glad I stumbled upon this! I just started my own english paper piecing project and it’s so nice to see another rendition. It’s beautiful so far!
I am really happy I came across your site. I am doing 2 Grandma Flower Garden Quilts for my sons. And finishing a Tumbling Block Quilt my late sister-in-law gave me. Saying I was the only one she knew that would finish it. This has been a big challenge. It is made using neck ties after being taken apart.
Your pieces look so nice. If they suit you don’t worry about what any one else thinks they are for you.
This is really lovely! I couldn’t help but leave a comment- I am also working on a pink and gray hexie quilt, with the same “layout” and I am THRILLED to stumble across yours. You can see mine here: http://bookslistslife.blogspot.com/search?q=pink+hexagon . I am aiming for a full sized quilt, so I have quite a ways to go- I’ve done about 900 hexes as of this morning. I really love some of your fabrics tho, wish I could find them here!