Hugs from Helen

Sew Pink 2021

I'm proud to be a part of the third annual Sew Pink blog hop run by ByAnnie – to focus on Breast cancer for the month of October. Although its important every day of the year, I've taken part in each of these initiatives now as I believe in the importance of this raising of awareness – and funds to beat this thing!

This year when I went in for my bi-annual Boob check I ran into a friend coming in as I left. Not surprising – we’re all around the same age and demographic in a smallish town, so often you see someone you know. Little did I know that she was there for a dreaded callback – which resulted in a positive result and weeks of surgery, chemotherapy and years of anxiousness and checks to come.  What surprised me most when we next caught up and discussed it was that it was the first time she had had a breast check. (she is early/mid 50’s). This is despite having family history - and it being free to have Breast screens here in Australia from age 40.

Why wouldn't she do it? because, like me, she is a busy small business owner, a mum, a wife, a charity organiser and everything else she cannot say no to. She provides to, mentors and coaches hundreds of children a week in her business and she didn't have the time to think about herself – only others. She knows she should have, she knows its easy and free, she knows everything she could have done – but we, as working mums and business owners just tend to put ourselves last on that ever growing list.

You know I preach about the therapy of stitching, and I get so many messages of personal stories saying how stitching my patterns has helped people get through traumas, challenges and life events, including cancer journeys – I can’t stress enough the importance of taking that time out for ourselves, to smell the roses and – get the boob check! Before you have to go through the journey that so many of our friends and family have endured.

This year I have stitched the simple and of so useful ByAnnie Pocket Packer project using the wonderful Tula Pink linework fabrics we have instore at Quarter Inch.

But instead of a mesh on the outside pocket, I've used our EPP Iron-ons to make an English paper pieced ribbon in honour of the SewPink initiative. It’s quick and simple – but it sends a message – a reminder, to us all.

And I'm imagining that those are zebra unicorns there giving hope to all!

Here’s a quick little step by step of my ribbon process.

Take 18 diecut EPP 1” diamond papers (60 degree) and fuse them onto the wrong side of your chosen fabrics – I used three different Kona solids I had in my stash.

Remember to leave a 1/2” of fabric between them for seam allowances.

Cut them out keeping that 1/4” seam allowance on each one.

Next we use a fabric glue pen, a small line of glue along the edge of the paper and fold over that seam allowance onto the glue.

I arranged them onto a printout to see how I wanted to spread my colours around. (you can download that pdf here if it helps you)

Then you simply whip stitch them together as you would for any EPP. The difference with our EPP Iron-ons is you leave them in – yes they iron on, and stay in – if washed they’ll semi dissolve and just stay in as nice soft fibres.

Next you’ll cut a piece of cotton fabric (we used the zebra print) the same size as the mesh measurement in the pattern. Glue baste (we use small dots of Roxanne’s basting glue) it into place and then hand or machine stitch it down tucking in those tails as you go.

Then you’ll just continue to make up your bag as per the pattern.

I made Style 3 – with three pockets, splitting the bottom one.  You get a voucher code with each pattern to watch the Add-on videos by Annie. They take you through step by step with so many tips to perfect her zippers, mesh, vinyl and more.

If you’ve never done EPP before and would like to try this checkout my YouTube channel for some help using our method.

If you’d like to make your own version, we’re including enough EPP Iron-on precuts to make your ribbon with each Pocket packer pattern ordered on any of our websites.   We can also put together kits in the same fabrics we used – or of course you may have our own favourites.

We have a Giveaway

As part of the blog hop I have a $30 digital coupon to give away to one lucky reader – you just need to pop over to my Instagram feed and find the Sewpink post and enter to win. And remember, we’re giving you the EPP Iron-on 1” diamond papers when you grab the Pocket packer pattern.

Don’t forget to checkout the other amazing sew-leb-rities participating and see what they have on offer during the month of October.

BLOG HOP 2021 SCHEDULE

✂ Oct. 1 (Fri):Fat Quarter Shop - The Jolly Jabber

✂ Oct. 2 (Sat):Sallie Tomato

✂ Oct. 4 (Mon): Hugs ‘N Kisses

✂ Oct. 6 (Wed): Sewfinity

✂ Oct. 11 (Mon):Beyond the Reef

✂ Oct. 13 (Wed): Great Heron Thread Co.

✂ Oct. 15 (Fri): Love You Sew

✂ Oct. 15 (Fri): Emmaline Bags

✂ Oct. 16 (Sat): Meadow Mist Designs

✂ Oct. 18 (Mon): OklaRoots

✂ Oct. 20 (Wed): Suzn Quilts

✂ Oct. 20 (Wed): Teresa Coates

✂ Oct. 22 (Fri): Knot and Thread Design

✂ Oct. 23 (Sat): Shannon’s Studio

✂ Oct. 25 (Mon): The Littlest Thistle

✂ Oct. 27 (Thur): Mister Domestic

✂ Oct. 27 (Wed): Sookie Sews

And Don’t forget to go have that Boob check – no matter how busy you are.

happy stitching,

Helen

 

The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year. Our efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote self-care, awareness, early detection, and support for those affected by breast cancer.

To learn more and see the calendar of events visit: https://www.ByAnnie.com/SewPINK

To find screenings available near you:

● Breast Screen (Australia)

● CDC.gov (US)

● WebMD (free screenings)

In addition to participating in the #SewPINK Initiative, Fat Quarter Shop invites you to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation with the goal of raising $10,000.

To find the Fat Quarter Shop fundraiser visit: https://fundraise.nbcf.org/FatQuarterShop

 

To learn more about the Breast Cancer Research Foundation visit: https://www.bcrf.org/

It’s all about Maths!

Time for a little maths lesson.  Do you love English paper piecing but ready to move on from just hexies..

We have lots of die cut EPP Iron-on shapes being added to our inventory with our next order coming soon. So I thought it was time to have a little lesson on how they work together.

English Paper piecing is basically using paper templates (we use our Applique paper for our unique easyepp method) and folding fabric pieces over the paper to make perfect shapes.

Generally (although not always) the shapes tessellate to make a solid piece. This means that the shapes fit together perfectly with no gaps in between.

For this to work however, they either need to be all the exact same shape with an equal amount of sides or shapes in the same angle and size group.

So if you can remember back to school here is the basics of maths:

We’ll start with the simple hexagon. It has six sides. A full circle is 360degrees = so divide that by 6 and it gives us 60 degrees.

 

 

 

So shapes that will tessellate with a hexagon generally all need to be based on 60 degree angles (or could be 30, 90, 120 degrees).

These include:

And all of their derivates (as in you can chop a hexagon up into many smaller shapes.)

Just look at all the ways you can cut a hexie apart and put it back together again!

Of course you need to choose the measurement to match also (we’ll talk more about how to measure epp shapes in another post)

You can always start with any shape, cut it apart and know that it should go back together again, but what if you want to use different starter shapes and design a new motif or block with them?

 

 

 

Well just look at those angles and see if they might work together.

For example a jewel shape will work with the 60 degree hexie shapes.

 

 

 

But what about other angles you may ask? well back to maths and your 360 degree circle. What else can it be divided into?

 

An Octagon is a 45degree shape (8 sides 360/8=45)

and therefore works well with honeycombs and 90 degree squares.

and 45 degree diamonds

 

A pentagon is not so pretty to use – on its own it does not tessellate (ie: there are gaps)

but combine it with 72 or 36  degree diamonds and it can work.

 

See if you can work out the maths in these In The Round blocks below:

 

If you’d love to learn more about English Paper piecing and our unique Easy EPP method checkout our tutorials

here.

 

Or you may wish to take our Scrappity Doo Dah 26 part EPP program.

That's enough for one maths lesson – happy epp’ing

Hugs, Helen

#SewPink

I was honoured to offer to contribute to ByAnnies #sewpink initiative to support Breast Cancer worldwide. As someone who has known and continues to support many close to me fighting this dreadful disease it is something dear to all of our hearts. I sit with you all with a 1 in 8 chance of also fighting this fight one day – but with all the promotion and education, and funding for research it is heartening to know that there is now a 90%+ survival rate.

Early detection is the best tool we can have, and I have designed a fun project to remind us to ‘check the bumps for lumps’.  Yes I know, its not the most pleasant biannual trip we have to do, having our breasts squeezed between a  vice – but its a small few minutes of discomfort to hopefully save a lot more down the track…

In Australia, most women after 40 can get free annual or biannual screens – so there’s no excuse. Of course in between these screenings we should be regularly checking those bumps for lumps.

Here are a couple of links if you’re not sure how to

https://www.bcna.org.au/breast-health-awareness/breast-awareness/

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam

So here is my little project for you – Check the Bumps for Lumps

it uses my Easy EPP method (or you can use your own preferred method) and

some raw edge applique

I applied mine to a ByAnnies very useful Zip it Up bag. I made up the outer pocket piece – quilted the three layers and then appliqued my EPP’d  boobies by hand, then used my eye as a guide to place the steam a seam prepared letters into place. Then I fused to secure. The pocket then just made up as per the bag instructions from Anni.

It’s a great little bag with zippered pockets on the outside and mesh and clear vinyl pockets on the inside. The whole thing then zips up closed so you can fill it with everything you need and nothing will fall out. Im hoping my new little laptop will  fit in my outside pocket as I made the large version.

For my day in the bloghop Im offering the Check the bumps design as a free download.

Alternatively you can purchase the kit which has the preprinted applique paper, steam a seam, and the fabrics (same or similar to what Ive used) and the printed layout guides and templates.

ByAnnie are donating 30% discounts on all things pink as per the links at the bottom of this post.

The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. They have pledged to raise funds to donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through sales and promote action through giveaways.
For more information please visit their official #SewPINK information page: https://www.byannie.com/2019-SewPINK
To donate directly visit: https://give.bcrf.org/give/31404/#!/donation/checkout
To see the calendar of events visit: https://www.byannie.com/2019-SewPINK#calendar
ByAnnie will be donating 30% of profits on all SewPINK items sold on their web store. You can search for SewPINK items on their website or see the list of items here: https://www.byannie.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=sewpink

Hugs for today

Helen

What a simply Splendid day it is!

How exciting is it that I was invited to be a designer in the second series of the Splendid Sampler?

And I even made the cover! so yes, you get my block for free to get one step ahead before the book ships!

We are taking preorders for these books at Quarter Inch - and we'll send you them as soon as they arrive in October  - you can order the first one too if you'd like.

The lovely team of Pat and Jane sent me a bunch of fabrics from Moda

and Erin at Aurifil some threads to play with.

We could use any method, design or technique we wanted so of course I included two of my faves…..

 embroidery….. (note: I used Presencia Finca Perle#16 threads for the embroidery)

and English Paper pieced clamshells

Of course many people may not have tried these methods before (and I always like to teach something new to even one stitcher out there) so I won’t leave you in the cold…

You can join in my FREE series of embroidery lessons and learn every hint and tip I can give you (just click on the pic below)

and if you need help with clamshells?  well I have a unique product for English paper piecing – they are EPP Iron-ons – yes, iron on leave in epp templates… They are cut from my Applique paper which is a semi water soluble paper with a fusible on one side. So you just iron them on, and leave them in!  You can see the step by step tutorial for clamshells by clicking on the pic below.

If you’d love to have the EPP Iron-ons to make your block you can get them here. (and why would you do it any other way!)

And for even more information and free help on my paper and method subscribe to my Youtube channel where there is a ton of information and technique how to’s for you.

To celebrate my day, let’s have a little competition! Over on Instagram…. Follow me (on IG) and share a pic of your version of my block….(don’t forget to tag me so I find it @helen_stubbings)

 

I’ll choose two new followers over the next two days (for those quick off the batt) – and one tagged pic (per week on Fridays) over the next month to send a free pack of EPP Iron on Clamshell papers to..

I do so hope you love my block, learn a new tip or technique and keep on stitching along with the Splendid sampler team….

can’t wait to see them all appearing!

what to do now?

Sign up for free embroidery lessons

Order your clamshell EPP Iron-on papers

Watch the tutorial

Gather your fabric and threads

Follow me on Instagram

Post your block to win! (and you have to tag me! @helen_stubbings)

 

happy stitching

hugs from Helen

I’m the October pinup girl!

Apple or Yellow Greens are the colour for this months Aurifil block designer – and I’m it!  I love my Aurifil threads and was chuffed when they asked me to be the October girl…

This year this free BOM quilt is based on the colours of the Rainbow – and we are up to October already – but never fear you can go back and find all the previous months quite easily here

Growing up on a farm there were plenty of memories for inspiration for this colour – and it just so happened that my greens in the Basically Hugs range for P&B Textiles were also perfect to use.

I, of course, had to include some English paper piecing (using EPP Iron-ons – iron on leave in epp papers) and a touch of whimsical embroidery using the 12wt threads.In the pattern I included a printable sheet for the templates you can print onto my Applique paper so you too can use the iron-on/leave-in method.

If you need help with the how-to’s of English Paper piecing I have several YouTube videos on my channel – go subscribe as there are more coming soon!Or I have a great Craftsy class which will take you through everything step by step…. if you click on the photo below it will take you to a 33% off link!

If you need help with embroidery stitches you can sign up to my free embroidery lessons right here.

 

So I hope you enjoy my block and would love to see them if you do happen to make it – Please share on Instagram (if you’re not following me its helen_stubbings)

and use the hashtag #stitchwithhelen so I can find you….

 

don’t forget to also share your blocks with Aurifil and you can win a full set of yummy threads… go here to see the details and follow Pat Sloan as she makes the blocks along the way.

 

happy stitching!

hugs from Helen

PS- forgot to tell you where to get it!

head to here to download the pattern.

Who’s coming to Salt Lake City?

With only four sleeps until I leave and a very long list of to dos still I shouldn’t be here, but yet again its been so long and just in case any of you are coming I wanted to let you know of some of my movements so we can say hi if its possible.

So, Spring Quilt market – the International Quilt trade show (trade customers only this time sorry) is on next week at the Salt Lake City Convention centre downtown SLC. Sue and I fly out Monday to start the long journey and then the long setup ready to open next Friday.

 

of course I have three schoolhouse sessions first on Thursday as follows:

Have Much More FUN with
COSMO! – Im doing this one for Lecien

                                  Room 253a 1.20-1.50pm

Want Cash to Walk In Your Door
Monthly? We’ll Tell You How!  Room 250e 3:30 - 4:00

 

Calling All Hexie Addicts! EPP the
EasyWay                              Room 250e 4.05-4.35

 

 

Then I have two Take & Teach Classes again for you to join in and learn to take back to your students and stores:

Friday 8.00-9.30am

310. SIMPLY REDWORK EMBROIDERY—THE HUGS ‘N KISSES WAY $10

Simple embroidery stitches are ever popular! Introduce them to your students and expand your range of embroidery skills and inventory with simple stitcheries, red work, and more. Make the first block in the Razz-a-Dazzle BOM quilt. (*; 6in embroidery hoop)

411. FROM HEXIES TO CLAMSHELLS— EPP THE HUGS ‘N KISSES IRON-ON WAY $10

Using the new EPP Iron-ons™ extend your knowledge of English Paper Piecing beyond hexagons. Clamshells are the next big thing! Make this super cute purse/cushion and take it back to wow your customers. (*; Sewline fabric glue pen or similar)

I will also be doing demos on demand in my booth daily showing the Easy English paper piecing method using iron on, leave in papers that is going crazy.And 4pm on Saturday I’ll be demoing and book signing on the Landauer Booth #1243  on my Gluestick applique method..

Phew, Im tired just thinking about this…

But wait! there’s more… This year a group of your favourite Aussie designers are grouping together to form the Aussie Aisle!

We’ll all be there in aisle #1800 – right inside the entrance doors next to the quilt exhibit!  You’ll see our aussie bunting for sure… we have some exciting things in store for you….

Each designer will be doing their demos of what they do best!

We have a gorgeous Koala coming with us all the way from Australia – she is very excited, and also very friendly and would love to have her photo taken with you all.  Then you can try and guess her name and go in a draw to win a fabulous basket of goodies from us all.AND

we are having free vegemite tastings too!

Come join all the action in aisle #1800  but before that join our new group – Aussie Designers on Facebook, you’ll see what each of us are doing now and into the future and have us on hand to answer questions etc ongoing.

 

of course, after market brings more excitement as I rush to the airport to travel to Minnesota to teach for the Hayward Quilt guild.. maybe I’ll see you there – there might be just 1 or 2 spots left if you are close by….

 

okay, back to my list now…

hugs for today

Helen

Scrappity Doo Dahing right along….

For those of you not on the Facebook group I thought I’d share some progress shots on the Scrappity Doo – dah EPP quilt along project. Many have finished or nearly finished their tops and the array of fabric choices is amazing.. all looking just as great as the next.

Many are now only just joining in- particularly after doing the EPP Craftsy class and wanting more…. and some shops are about ready to start their instore programs with help along the way.

This is Marg’s from Seriously Crazy’s  version

And Lee’s from Threads and Tangles – she's already quilted hers! how amazing does black and white look?

Lisa from megelles soft and sweet version

Lyn opted for jewel colours on black!

Nicole's version

and Maggies – see how different they all are?

from batiks, to liberty, aunt grace to Tilda, they all look fantastic..

Linda White of Gumvalley patchwork will be running this one with her stitching customers..

And of course the original version – in Fancywork Box and Basically Hugs fabrics.. – packs are still available.

 

hugs and inspiration for today

Helen

Easy English Paper piecing on Craftsy

My first Craftsy class is now live!

You can view the trailer here

……and for my special blog friends I can offer you a launch special of 50% off for one week!  Click on this link to access the special price…. (sorry discount now expired)

If you’ve never tried English Paper piecing before – or even if you have but perhaps not the way I do it and you’d like to try it out, please go take a look… I hope I have made everything easy to understand and in simple terms – but never fear, if not, I'm right there on the Craftsy forums to help answer your questions.

And the winner of the free class is:

cdel9419jaffa!!!  I will be emailing your link to claim your free class very soon – Congratulations…

hugs for today, from Hobart at the bottom of Australia

Helen

Mugs Rugs for Chrissy Presents

I don’t think I’ve taken the time to show you these little mug rug patterns? – I’ve done them a little time ago but with my busyness I have been neglecting my blog and showing you new things and ideas..

So at market in May I got give some samples of these very useful little premade mug rug inserts. They are made by Bosal and are double sided fusible precut shapes to put inside projects. The ones I have used are the 4” x 6” rectangles.

I’ve made three designs thus far!

The patterns include applique paper, pre-cuts (hexies, pentagons or honeycombs) and iron on transfers plus instructions for both finishing methods – binding or turning.

So they are great to make from your scrap stash, whip up in a night or two for that perfect gift for a stitching friend.

I'm not sure I’d actually sit my coffee mug on them tho? So perhaps you’d use them in a different way..

hugs for today

Helen

Scrappity Doo-dah online QAL

Are you on the EPPQAL Facebook page?  There is so much activity there as they await their next installment for the online quilt a long mystery… lots of different fabrics being used..

Did you miss out- or think you couldn’t fit it in?  well now we are ready with our Scrappity Doo Dah version – you can join at anytime. Just purchase your pack and then you will be signed up. Now of course eventually you might start seeing finished quilts (which may spoil your mystery) but you still have the fun of wondering what comes next! so what’s it all about?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learn the joy of English Paper piecing the Hugs ‘n Kisses way!

Join with us on this 26 part Quilt along – learn many shapes, techniques, a little gluestick applique and more.

$112.00  includes paper pack and the full set of patterns over approximately 5 months

This is now an Online quilt-a-long BOM type program. You can sign up here for a paper pack to join, and an optional fabric pack- or you can sign up with your favourite store and choose their fabric kit choices.

There are 26 parts to the program which will be delivered by electronic mail and download. The finished quilt measures approx 48" x 48"

What fabrics did you use?

I have used my Fancywork Box and Basically Hugs fabrics for my quilt version –which is what you will see on each email. The design is based on a scrappy layout and we have a fabric pack available to help you start – 8 fat quarters and 16 fat eights – this will be plenty to make your quilt top.

Hugs fabric pack – (optional)

Viewcart

$90 + postage. (please select other for postage- if more is required we will contact you before processing)

Other things you would have in your sewing box – but if not they are available from here.

Sewline Glue pen & refills

Hugs ‘n Kisses applique needles

Roxanne’s Glue baste it

Karen Kay Buckley perfect scissors

Bottomline sewing thread in neutral colours

Inkjet printer or Sewline ceramic pencil.

To sign up to the program you must purchase the Paper pack above.

Once you have  purchased your starter kit from us you will be subscribed to the program and you will get an email each time a new part is released. (approx every 5 days)

It will contain a link to download the pattern.  Please download and save this PDF pattern

to your computer or device. The emails are automatically generated and cannot be re-sent

if you lose them so please take care to save and file carefully. You will require a free Acrobat

reader to print the pattern files - available from https://get.adobe.com/reader/

I am sharing this journey so that you may get to experience the pleasure of using our unique method of English Paper piecing and needleturn applique. It uses our EPP iron-ons which are cut from our wonderful Applique paper. You can read more about this here 

http://www.hugsnkisses.net/index.php/shop/other-thingys/applique-paper-precuts

with many tutorials on my blog at http://hugsnkisses.typepad.com/hugsfromhelen/

or videos on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/user/helenshugsnkisses

I just know once you try these you are going to love them and never look back to removing sticky  papers again.

hope you can join us – and the several hundred others making this around the world!

hugs for today

Helen