Have you ever said to a friend: I’m starting a diet – ask me next week if I’m still on it.?
Well, friends, I’m asking you to ask me if I’ve completed this project!
Here is my latest on-the-go, in-the-wings, relax-time project. I may have bitten off more than I can chew! It’s EPP (English Paper Piecing) – to the MAX!
Sometimes I need my friends to keep me accountable, so ask me!
First, this design is from the great Willyne Hammerstein’s book, Millefiori Quilts. The pattern is called La Passacaglia! Willyne’s quilts are just amazing and LARGE EPP projects – this one uses just five shapes to make the book cover quilt you see here.
And you can see my start – LOTS to go!
Instead of using papers that have to be removed, I like to use Apliquick fusible – a very light-weight material that you fuse onto the reverse side of your shapes. When it cools, it is just stiff enough to hold its shape as you fold the fabric over it. A touch of a glue stick holds the seam allowances in place as you stitch your shapes together. The fusible is so light, there’s no need to remove anything – a big plus, I think!
Because the pre-cut Appliquick only comes in hexagon shapes, I purchased yardage of it. Then found these wonderful Custom Quilt Set templates by Cabin in the Woods, made specifically for the La Passacaglia.
As you can see, each template has the center cut out, so you can use the inner template to cut your fusible and the outer template for the fabric. These templates are nice and thick, so they are easy to hang on to and you can use them as quilting templates, too.
This project is one I suspect will take years – or a decade! But I will say it is addicting and, like hand-quilting, goes faster than you might think. But I only plan to work on it while traveling or when I want a bit of evening handwork to do. Stay tuned for updates as this quilt grows. Full disclosure: I’m not totally committed to it being as large as the pattern says, which is 144 x 176 cm (57 x 69 inches), but that would be quite COOL! We’ll just have to see…as time goes by. See the portion I’m working on now for perspective!
Stay tuned for updates – follow me on Facebook @ Creative Bee Studios and tell share your next challenging project with us all!
