Learn How to English Paper Piece

Learn How to English Paper Piece by Nancy's Notions and Carolina Moore

I am excited to get to share with you a new book about English paper piecing.  Some of you that know me, and my love of my sewing machines, may wonder why English paper piecing?

Look back a few posts and you will find the answer---you can do this without power!  I think this may just be my new favorite method of travel/powerless quilting!

So when Carolina Moore asked for quilters to review her new book, I jumped at the chance to explore this method of quilting.  I am also sharing my project that I created from her new book.

Be sure to join in the Instagram Give Away and check out what other quilters have to say about Carolina's book.  Links are found on this post.

I should probably introduce myself to those of you who have just found me. I am a quilting and sewing instructor that designs patterns, workbooks and machine embroidery designs.  I favor creating art quilts, and love adding mixed media products to my projects.  My website is www.LindaBrattenCreations.com and you can subscribe to my free newsletter, Linda B Creative.  I host a Facebook Group, Linda B Creative, where I hope to inspire you to try a variety of sewing and quilting techniques.  I am addicted to sewing machines, and love all the wonderful things you can do with them.  I have an online class with Bluprint, Exploring Natural Machine Quilting Motifs that features my nature inspired quilting motifs done on a domestic sewing machine.

Having recently spent 36 hours without power due to a major snow storm, I was on the look out for a project that would inspired my creativity.  I believe Carolina's book, Learn How to English Paper Piece, was just what I needed.

The table of contents from the book.

She does a great job of  describing the basics of paper piecing.  I was familiar with some of the techniques, but the pointers that she includes such as the stitching order of the pieces, made my project come together easily.

And speaking of projects,  Carolina shares ten projects in the book.  I found that they included a variety of skill levels, which I appreciated so I can develop my skills gradually and be successful.  As I read the book, I saw the potential to create quick and easy gifts for those I love. I also appreciated that the there were quick and easy projects to get you started on your way to English paper piecing.  This is an added bonus for those of us who find our creative time limited due to our other commitments.

So I chose to make the Fussy Cut Coaster.  Carolina shows you how to create a template to assist you with fussy cutting your pieces.  I found some of my favorite, Riley Blake Fabric that had a peacock motif to use in the project.  (Did I forget to mention that I love peacocks???)  Essential to being successful with this is to determine the accurate repeat of the fabric.

You will end up with a piece of fabric that looks like Swiss cheese, but the results are worth it!

When you get your motifs cut out in the diamond shapes, then you need to find fabric for the outer diamonds.  In Carolina's project she fussy cut additional fabrics, I felt that the peacock motif would be lost if it competed with another busy print, so I opted for a bold lime green to make the coaster sing.

When it came time to applique the paper pieced block to the background, I used my artistic license and chose a different decorative stitch to use, the blanket stitch.  I also backed the coaster with a tear-away stabilizer to prevent "tunneling" as I sewed. I then removed the stabilizer once I was done.

I was able to create the project, in a couple of hours.  It might have moved along faster, if  I didn't enjoy my coffee so much.  I am thrilled with the results and have already found a spot for it in my studio!

Carolina and Nancy's Notions are giving away an English paper piecing starter kit for those of you on Instagram.  Go to my account at  https://www.instagram.com/linda_bratten/ and look for this post to join in the fun!

Find out what other quilters on the book tour have to say about Carolina's book and see what they are inspired to create.

Friday, January 25^th: Carolina from Always Expect Moore

Saturday, January 26^th: Linda from Linda B Creative and Havalah from Sisters, What

Sunday, January 27^th: Teresa from Sewn Up, Teresa Down Under and Stephanie from Modern Sewciety

Monday, January 28^th: Jen from Faith and Fabric and Alicia from Sew What Alicia

Tuesday, January 29^th: Sherry from Powered by Quilting and Marie from Underground Crafter

Wednesday, January 30^th: Brooke from Brooklyn Berry Designs and Melody from Two Maker Chicks

Thursday, January 31^st: Ali from Home Crafts by Ali and Sarah from Quilted Diary

Friday, February 1^st: Bobbie from the Geeky Bobbin and Gemia from Phat Quarters

Saturday, February 2^nd: Beth from Garland Girl Quilts and Bobbi from Snowy Days Quilting

Sunday, February 3^rd: Kirsty from Bonjour Quiltshttps://www.bonjourquilts.com/blog/ and Simone from Charmed Life Quilting

Monday, February 4^th: Aimee from Things Small and Simple and Mathew from Mister Domestic

Tuesday, February 5^th: Kathy from Kathy’s kwilts and more and Kim from Stitched in Purple

Wednesday, February 6^th: Audrey from the Cloth Parcel and Anorina from Samelia’s Mum

Thursday, February 7^th: Laura from Slice of Pi Quilts and Lauren from Molly and Mama

Friday, February 8^th: Sarah from Saroy and Stephanie from Swoodson Says

I can't wait to try to create the Tech Pouch next!

Hoping you have a creative weekend,

Quilty Humor

The First Snow of 2019, Staying Creative when Staying In

I live in Mid-Missouri.  This past weekend, we were hit with a large snow storm. It started on Friday, and looked beautiful as it started so I got my camera out to take a few photos.  It was a real heavy wet snow, so I started making preparations in case the power would go out.

Since my sweetheart was out of town, I put extra wood in the house, started charging all my electronic devices and filled some containers with water.  I also managed to fill the bird feeders. By midnight, the power was gone.

We didn't get the winds with this storm, and the temperatures never plummeted. However, the snow did come.

And it kept coming.....

and coming!

Other Quilters commented on my accurate measuring device!

So sixteen inches of snow, and no power for 36 hours did teach me a few things. While I was prepared enough to endure the power outage, and earned the title of "pioneer woman" from my family.  I didn't plan ahead for my creative needs.

I was hoping to use my snow days to work on my website, getting patterns ready and editing some videos.  Needless to say, that didn't happen.

I did gather up some items to start an English Paper Piecing project that I have been wanting to start, but it needed a good press to get started.  So I didn't get far with that.

I was able to do some preparation and planning for my newsletter and my Facebook group, Linda B Creative.  I can't wait to get started with those projects.  Be sure to join and get in on the fun!

However, we are expecting more snow this weekend!  So what do you prepare to satisfy your creative needs when weather keeps you in?  Be sure to share both those you can do with and without power!  (They are talking lots of wind and cold temperatures with this system!)

Thanks for helping me stay creative.

 

2019 Res-Sew-Lutions

Hello Creatives!

As the new year begins, I try to plan ahead the projects and tasks that I want to accomplish.  This includes focuses for my Facebook Group, Linda B Creative.

So in an effort to keep me accountable this year, I am sharing my 2019 Res-Sew-Lutions with you.

1. To achieve the first one, I am planning more Sew-Alongs with my Facebook group, Linda B Creative.  I love to inspire others to expand their creativity.  And I hope to do so, by exploring a variety of techniques and sharing them with my group.
2. Next, I want to reduce my fabric stash.  I am going to try to incorporate at least 80% of the fabric I have on hand in my new projects.  The temptation is great to shop, but I really need to downsize--so I can shop again!
3. I love to teach and I have a ton of ideas for online classes.  I would love to get at least 2 of them online.  I have spent the last month prepping to tape, and I cannot wait to share them with you.
4. Along the last line, I want to release more of my original patterns for purchase.  Watch my website, www.LindaBrattenCreations.com for more on these last two res-sew-lutions.
5. Finally, I want to enjoy the process.  Many times I find myself creating one class sample after another.  Feeling a deadline pressure, rather than a creative inspiration.  This year I want to change that so I can enjoy the process along with the creating. 

That is probably more than I will be able to accomplish along with my regular life.  So be sure to encourage me in the Linda B Creative group and by following and commenting on my blog.

You can subscribe to the blog and comment  by going to this section and entering in your email address.

I'm sure that all of you know how important having a support group is, so let's get started with my First Sew-Along of the year.  You can get started by downloading the Free Foundation Paper Piecing Labels that we will use on our Sew-Along.  They are available on my website at www.LindaBrattenCreations.com

Then be sure to join my Facebook Group, Linda B Creative, where I will share the pattern and demonstrate how to create our first project of the year!

Let's make 2019 our most creative year ever!