a

English paper piecing for a Grandmothers flower garden quilt.

 Each piece in the quilt is pinned to its own paper pattern piece. The paper serves as a guide for sewing and a support for the pieces.Freezer paper can be used for this, but if you iron it on then you will have to make a pattern for each block. I like to reuse the patterns so I try to use a heavy paper that will hold up.

Years ago women would use newspaper for patterns and leave the papers in the block. This was to add extra warmth. If you find a vintage quilt that makes a rustling sound then it might have papers left in the quilt. I will not leave the papers in my quilt, this way the quilt can be washed if needed.

To paper piece a hexagon pattern, a paper hexagon is placed on the wrong side of a fabric hexagon and held with a pin. The fabric has been cut 1/4 inch larger than the paper hexagon to allow for seam allowance which is turned down over the edge of the paper and basted in place.

 Next the edges of two pieces are lined up with their front sides together and whipstitched.Remove the papers after the hexagons are sewn together.

These are very simple to do and make great 'take-along' work. I have done many of these blocks,but have not completed a quilt with them yet. Someday I will:)

Just for fun, try to make one or two hexagons, you can make them any size. Be careful though.......these can be very addicting:)

         maa's mom

Untitled Comment

{ 08:01 , Sunday, May 4, 2008 } { Posted by Cathy }

I was going to ask you about your quilting. I saw your pics on your blog. We have a homeschool group and some of us are STARTING to quilt. We are picking out our fabric now. Some of us are doing the Prairie Primer Curriculum together which is based from the Little House books. We are in the second book and Laura and Mary are working on their 9 patch quilt. Now us mom's now who to ask when we have an emergency quilting question!! Have a wonderful day in our Lord today.

Cathy
SC

flower garden quilt

{ 08:24 , Sunday, May 4, 2008 } { Posted by stitchesbyteresa }

I have never thought of paper piecing this particular pattern. I am almost finished w/a quilt top w/this piece...I hand-sewed each piece and it goes pretty quickly...probably quicker than start/stopping by machine b/c the sides are so small. I don t measure the seam after doing a few of them.

Once you baste them, how do u sew your pieces together in this paper-pieced method? That's the part that lost me. I'm w/you...I like projects that are "mobile"...it's hard to be confined to the sewing machine all day.

Untitled Comment

{ 07:18 , Tuesday, July 1, 2008 } { Posted by CandyFoote }

Happy 4th of July!!

Candy