Do you have a bucket list quilt? You know, a quilt that you have been wanting to make forever. A quilt that when someone posts about, you think, I just have to make that! That quilt for me is a Grandmother’s Flower Garden. I love little hexies. I love watching quilters put them together into flowers. My hangup–I have never tried EPP (English Paper Piecing).
After I saw that Sizzix has hexagon dies, I knew this was my chance to try it out. Do you want to EPP too? Then grab your Sizzix machine and let’s get started!
Supplies you will need:
Sizzix Bigz Die Hexagons, 1″ Sides #2
Sizzix Bigz Die Hexagons, 1 1/4″ Sides
Glue
Cardstock
Your favorite mini charm pack (I chose The Good Life by Bonnie and Camille-no surprise there)
First, prep you card stock. Using the 1″ sided hexagon die, cut out the card stock in as many hexagons as you like. This die cuts four at a time, so you can really cut out a lot quick!
Second, prep the fabric. Every tutorial I read, said that I needed to cut the fabric into hexagon shapes with a 1/4″ seam allowance. What a pain! I think that is what has prevented me from wanting to try this out. Sizzix to the rescue! A mini charm square (2 1/2″) fits perfectly on the 1 1/4″ hexagon die. This die will cut the hexagons to fit with the 1″ cardstock pieces and still have the 1/4″ seam allowance. There are four die shapes, so layer your mini charm pieces on the die. You can cut out EIGHT layers of fabric at a time. So I can cut out 32 hexies at once! That is almost the entire charm pack.
Now with my card stock and fabric ready, its time to EPP! There are two methods of EPP. One is glue basting. The other is thread basting. There are a number of tutorials for both methods on YouTube. I decided to try glue basting. It was so easy! And fast!
I am now addicted to making these little hexies. I love how portable they are. I was able to glue baste a bunch of hexies while watching a football game with my family.
Here are some of my hexies all glue basted. Aren’t they so cute? I am ready now to make that Grandmother’s Flower Quilt. And maybe I won’t be a Grandma when I finally get it done!
Chirp Out!
Jen
The Smitten Chicken 