Pages

Sunday, November 17, 2013

EPP Tutorial

You didn't think I had written the tutorial myself, did you? How many times have I whined that I needed a good tutorial for the six pointed stars. I have searched and searched and had no luck. Today, I just stumbled onto it. I got an email from Riley Blake Designs with a link to an EPP tutorial for clamshells by Sue Daley. I checked it out and found out that she has a whole series of EPP tutorials on YouTube.
Check out the six pointed star tutorial here.

I am so happy to have found this tutorial. I have been doing things all wrong. First, the wrong needle. I was using an embroidery needle that was long and had a large eye. I chose it because it would be easy to thread. Here are the needles I need to use:
I bought them when I made my Merry, Merry Snowmen applique quilt. What a difference this has made.
Second mistake, wrong thread. I was using polyester thread that I had left over from various projects but it was way too thick. This is the thread that Sue recommends:
The 60 wt. thread makes a huge difference. It is fine and just blends in.
So now that I had the right needle and tread, what other problem could I have? I couldn't thread the needle to save my soul. Fortunately, I remembered that I had purchased this and had it tucked away in a drawer:
Problem solved. This Clover needle threader is a lifesaver. Now I can get the perfect thread through the eye of the perfect needle.
The next change is that I am going to try her glue method. That will save a lot of time that I have been spending basting each piece.
I am sure these changes will help me get my Tula Pink "Diamonds in the Sky" EPP quilt finished. 

Thanks for stopping by.



Sunday, November 10, 2013

Two Rows Done

I have been working on my first EPP project. It is Tula Pink's Diamonds in the Sky. I love the fabrics. I finished the second row today and added it to the first row.
That is a terrible photo. Sorry. I use my iPhone since I don't have another camera. Here is a detail photo:
I am still working on my technique. I find lots of tutorials about hexies, but none about the diamond shapes. I have kind of combined the methods of Lori Holt and Mickey Dupre (is that how she spells it?).

I also thought I would share a photo of the first five blocks in the 2013 Designer Mystery project. These have all been fun, as usual, and I love the fabrics.
Aren't these going to make a cute quilt? I look forward to each installment in the project. Such fun.

Thanks for stopping by.



Friday, November 1, 2013

Rabbit, Rabbit

The first day of November. Yeah! I hope Trick or Treaters had better weather where you live than they did around here. Because of storms, we will be Halloweening tonight instead.

Thanks for stopping by.