Friday 9 August 2013

Diamond Paper Piecing Progress

I attended my brother's wedding over the weekend on the south coast, there was lots of travelling involved so I got myself organised before we left and cut up a bunch of diamond shapes for my current paper piece project. I really don't know how I coped with long journeys before epp? It certainly made the five and half hour trip go a lot quicker! I managed to get quite a few more diamonds basted and sewn together so it was a productive weekend! 
When I'm travelling I like to keep my paper piece shapes, scissors, needle and thread in this drawstring bag and when I'm home I keep it in one of my sewing boxes which has a pull out tray perfect for keeping things organised :) and it's really good because I can transport it around the house, depending on where I sew. How do you organise your epp? Do you cut up all your shapes and baste everything first? For me, I like to rotary cut lots of shapes out at a time, then do a bit of basting and sew the diamonds together when the mood takes me and so I can see how it's coming together, and add in certain colour's if I feel they are missing. You can purchase the paper pieces and most of the fabrics I've used to make them at my shop, Sew and Quilt.
It's so exciting seeing them all laid out! So... I was thinking - if you're not already on a epp project of your own, would you like to join me in making a 8-point diamond star quilt?! I would love it if people wanted to make their own version. My stars are made using the 3" diamond paper pieces, I think I'm going to make it 5 stars wide by 8 down, so it will be a comfortable lap quilt. I may go bigger to 6 star's wide! See how I go ;) I thought Kona Pearl Pink would be a good backdrop for them, what do you think? Drop me a message if you want to make one too :) Jessie, xo

21 comments:

  1. Pretty fabrics..i store everything on a small plastic craft case when i travel as well i like to cute baste then sew..i like to get all the tedious work out of the way first.

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  2. Your diamonds are looking great! I tend to cut baste sew, cut baste sew, cut baste sew until I am finished, that way I don't get too bored with any one step. I'm currently working on a 6 point diamond quilt which is helping to see me through the summer holidays. I can hand sew and chat to my son but I haven't yet mastered the art of machine sewing and chatting at the same time.
    I will be following your progress and can't wait to see what the finished quilt will look like.
    Clare

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  3. oh this is lovely and i want to have a go too ! and i will, probably this winter, it'll have to be as i seem to have a queue of things forming and jostling for attention !
    but mainly i wanted to drool over that turquoise trellisy with red roses fabric [ and you have fussy cut it so nicely !). Where DID you find that ? and will you be selling it ??? put me down for a yard or three.
    love susan xx

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  4. Wow, its looking amazing!!! xoxo

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  5. Hi Jessie,
    your stars look gorgeous! Like Susan, I esp. love the turquoise fabric with the pink flowers. Yum!
    Looking forward to seeing your progress. I'm sure a pink background will look good.

    PS: Thank you for your comments on my blog! I was not able to answer them because they came from a no-reply address. Just wanted to let you know. ;-)
    Steffi

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  6. Pretty, pretty. But Jessie you really mustn't EPP and drive that's 10 points! 😉

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  7. Ooohhhh these are beautiful Jessie! I've been pondering stars for a while now - we're going camping in a couple of weeks and I obviously (!) need a project to take with me, so maybe I should look at these?!

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  8. Awesome! I have been wanting to do something with diamonds so I would love to join you! The only EPP that I have ever done is hexagons, so I've been pondering some diamonds. Cool beans :) I will have to order my papers then I'm ready to go!

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  9. So beautiful!! They are on my list to make after my hexie quilt!! Can't wait to see yours finished!! xo Heather

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  10. these are gorgeous jesse. I do love the fabrics you use in all the things you make. I've been making a few of these 8 point stars lately but I've been having trouble getting perfect points. would you have any tips for me? thanks. nat

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  11. forgot to explain myself properly - the trouble was when I tried to hand appliqué them onto a block. what do you do with the tail bit on the point?

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  12. Your stars are so cheerful! They will make a lovely lap quilt. I haven't tried EPP yet. It seems like a bit of a challenge. Maybe sometime in the future. :)

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  13. Wonderful! So enjoyable don't you think?

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  14. They all look great together, yes I think that background will be perfect! :) x

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  15. I love the idea of a pink backing!

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  16. Your stars are so lovely!

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  17. It's beautiful.congratulations!!!

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  18. Good GOD girl ... YES KONA PEARL PINK!!!!!! LOL! It is going to be stunning. Can't wait to see it finished. If I wasn't already knee-deep in my own epp hexie quilt I'd join you in a flash. But you've definitely inspired me to put this design on my to-do list.

    And by the way, I want to establish an understanding with you that replies, although always lovely and welcomed, are not required nor expected. We're busy ladies! :) Luv ya much, xo k

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  19. Good GOD girl ... YES KONA PEARL PINK!!!!!! LOL! It is going to be stunning. Can't wait to see it finished. If I wasn't already knee-deep in my own epp hexie quilt I'd join you in a flash. But you've definitely inspired me to put this design on my to-do list.

    And by the way, I want to establish an understanding with you that replies, although always lovely and welcomed, are not required nor expected. We're busy ladies! :) Luv ya much, xo k

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  20. I love this!! I would love to join you but I've never done any English paper piecing before. My question is, how do you attach it to the background fabric when you're finished?

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  21. Yes, I would love to join you as well, but have not done any paper piecing, English or other wise. I've never heard of English paper piecing ? Keep up the good work. They are beautiful. Would love to join you, look forward to joining you as well as the others.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a thoughtful comment. Any questions I will try to answer within the comments section so all readers can see.