Life is crazy busy at the moment and I’m finding my focus is being pulled in a multitude of different directions. To combat the crazy I’ve been taking it a little bit slower in the selfish stitching department and going back to work on some of the English Paper Piecing projects I’ve got on the go. It’s been great just sitting and stitching and not really thinking about anything. (My brain has welcomed the break in the normal cycle of stressing!) Awhile ago I started my version of Lucy Kingwell’s Smitten (click here to purchase) quilt (you can see more of it here) and at the time I started doing it by machine piecing everything (which was a fabulous way to become super comfortable with y-seams). I really enjoyed the process, but these days I spend so much time at my machine that I thought it best if I complete it via english paper piecing.

I’m sticking to a colour palette of black, white and pink which I love but I must confess it’s been a hard one to work with at times. I’ve also found myself having to hunt down more fabrics to try and keep the variety up (oh what a cross to bear!). I’ve come across some really fabulous fabrics in the hunt and so I was thrilled to be able to use the French Bulldogs that I found via Clairs Fabrics (clash here to purchase) with some houndstooth and these Zombie Love hands from Fat Quarter Shop (click here to purchase). It made the perfectly themed doggie hexie (get it, houndstooth and bones – I’m hilarious!). 

I’ve now completed all the large hexies in this configuration for the quilt. I made the final one with this great fabric I found via @cotton_factory_destash on Instagram. I love the mix of the old school catalogue ad with the 1950’s checkerboard and measuring tape. I’m really digging how they’re all coming together and I’m looking forward to making the time to do more of the blocks and getting it finished. I still have no idea how it will all work, but I’m enjoying the process.

I’ve also started something that I told myself would be my reward for getting my book written (book is still not done)… my version of the La Passacaglia. (You can find the pattern in the book “Millefiori Quilts“.) I just couldn’t resist once these bunnies from Sarah Jane’s new line “Sommer” for Michael Miller (click here to purchase) arrived.  I ask you, how perfect is the beginning of this rosette?

I’ve not done anything past this point but I’m sure I will as I procrastinate more in the coming weeks. I’m not sure what direction this quilt will take, but I’m thinking it’s going to be the first quilt where I don’t put any constraints on myself and just work with a big hodge podge of fabrics that I like and love and see where it ends up.

Do It Yourself

If you’d like to try your hand at English Paper Piecing why not click here to check out my tutorial on How To English Paper Piece (it also includes a very handy supplies list for those starting out) or maybe click here for my tutorial on How to Make Your Own English Paper Pieces with the Brother ScanNCut.

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