Hugs from Helen

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

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

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?

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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)

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$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

Free Free EPP quilt along with me….

Do you want to quilt along with me?  from right in your lounge chair each night… from anywhere in the world?

If so, you only have a small window of opportunity to join in..

From now until Midnight 30th September Australian time you can join up by visiting here and purchase the precut pack you will need to complete the mystery quilt. Okay, so that’s not free then you say – but you need these pre-cuts to be able to make the project – and instead of having to purchase a full pack of every different shape poor Tessie has spent hours cutting just the amount you will need for a very good price..

But – the pattern – all 26 parts delivered by email – will be free – for those who have signed up by the 30th September – after that it will need to be purchased from a store running it as a BOM project…

So this free offer is a little thankyou to all of you who have followed me over the past 14 years, who have supported me, bought my patterns, encouraged me and thanked me for bringing a little joy into your life.

And it is for you, stitching friends around the world to 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.

I will take you step by step through the mystery quilt learning a new block, shape or technique with each installment.. The final quilt top will measure approximately 48” x 48”. Most blocks involve handwork, with a small amount of simple machine piecing – and I have assembled the blocks by machine. But all the individual blocks are appliqued or paper pieced by hand – just your little bit of daily therapy… not too much, you’ll easily be able to keep up with just those five minutes of stitching per day or so..

We will be using the Hugs ‘n Kisses EPP iron –ons – if you haven't tried these then my mission on the QAL is to get you totally addicted – you will never do it any other way again….

Our Iron-on English paper piecing shapes are cut from Hugs ‘n Kisses applique paper – which is 50% soluble with a glue on one side. Which means, you iron the precut shape to your fabric, glue over the edges, stitch it up AND LEAVE THE PAPERS IN! so easy….. there are many other positives of this product that make the process so easy and forgiving for all skill levels.

and remember - IT WILL BE FREE! yes totally free – but for that limited time only…

remember join up now by purchasing the EPPQAL Paper pack  AUD$60 + postage (GST included.)

  More information here..

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Once you have signed up (by purchasing the pack) you will be added to a mailing list and as each installment is released  will get a link to download the pattern (which will be work for only 2 weeks).

Once the program is finished we will release it as a BOM pattern worldwide as a paid pattern through stores. Some stores are already offering fabric packs to join in now..

There are 26 parts and we will release them randomly – maybe two a week, depending on how involved the block is and when I'm home/or away to do it

Whilst you are working along use the hasthag #EPPQAL to share the fun.

I have used my Fancywork Box and Basically Hugs fabrics for my quilt version –which is what you will see each month. We have prepared fabric packs using the same/or very similar fabrics as I have used.

Hugs fabric pack – (optional) PLEASE NOTE: we have been overwhelmed by orders and have run out of some fabrics, we have ordered more but they may not get here in time so any orders from now will include substitutes - same colours and very similar values but not the originals. If the order arrives I will remove this message and return to original fabrics.

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

Fee is making a version for me using The new Tilda  Autumn tree range which  she’ll be sharing on Social media as we progress. Many stores have this in stock now. Esmes has kits ready to offer in Tilda and Sew Bright Alpine Quilting will be ready with kits also by our October start.

Or choose your own fabric/colourway – a modern version would be great too!

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.

- See more at: http://hugsnkisses.typepad.com/hugsfromhelen/epp-quilt-along.html#sthash.lto0C7z3.dpuf

The program will begin in October –

You can see lots of peeks of what you will be making on my instagram feed or Facebook page. And you may like to join in and share our Facebook group just for EPPQAL gals..

Tell your friends- or don’t if you want this to be your secret  

remember, click that button now to join in before its too late – Tess needs time to cut enough kits for you so numbers the earlier the better will be great… In the meantime I shall get the patterns ready to go!!!

Read more details here.. or sign up right now by clicking the button below.

THE FREE OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN BY SIGNING UP WITH A STORE WHO RUNS THE PROGRAM AS A BOM OR FROM OUR WEBSITE ONCE THE Initial Quilt along - has finished.

AUD$60 + postage GST included.

 

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hugs for today

Helen

Printable EPP Shapes

-as you know many are starting to looooove our EPP iron-ons which we are very excited about – as I wouldn’t do my English paper piecing any other way now…

Checkout our current pre-cut range here now – we know you are all loving them and are doing our best to keep up….

 

…But as we have to diecut them we are only able to slowly add more and more to our range. Obviously there are 1000’s of shapes and sizes we would love to do for you but for now here is the answer:

You use our wonderful Applique paper and print the shape/size you require straight onto it through an inkjet printer.

We have been spending many many hours preparing files for you setup just for this purpose…  We have started with about 50 and will add more over time – if you have a specific request, please ask and we’ll move it to the top of the list.

So…. to find our current offerings visit my new Craftsy download store right here… Click on the ‘follow’ button and you will see when I have a new shape ready for you.

 

Now a few tips:

The files have been setup to print as a light grey fine line onto the letter size Hugs ‘n Kisses applique paper. This is so that a dark black thick ink line (and all printer inks are different) won’t wash into your fabric when you wash your finished piece.

Purchase,download and save your file. Then print it directly onto the paper – the best printer to use is the cheapest gravity feed inkjet printers… DO NOT USE A LASER PRINTER – the paper has glue on one side – and laser printers use heat to set the ink – can you see that your printer will be ruined….

some of the more expensive inkjet printers that scan, double side, fold etc may experience paper jams when the soft paper has to roll and feed round and round – so if they have a manual feed tray use that to feed through one sheet at a time. And print onto the dull (non-glue) side.

Then you can cut out by hand with scissors OR for straight lines use a rotary cutter and ruler.

Now an even better idea – if you have to have a personal cutting machine such as a Silhouette Cameo or a Brother Scan n Cut – then send the file to it and have it cut the paper shapes for you also…

So, start shopping now and build your shape inventory… you will never need to make card templates again – or have to take those card templates out once you’ve finished your English Paper Piecing or applique projects….

if you need a reminder on how they work just check out all the tutes on the pages – links on the right of the blog…

 

hugs and happy printing

Helen

I Spy a Hexie swap…

Have you posted your hexies in yet?  We will allow another week for them to arrive before we swap and return..

The postman has started delivering….

I hope he will be very busy so we have lots to swap with…

Congrats to our random hashtag winners  - your goodies are in the mail…

hugs for today

Helen

New English Paper Piecing iron-ons are here!

Today we can finally introduce to you our new EPP Iron-on pre-cut shapes!  This has been such a long process getting it right for you.

We know you have been loving our fusible hexies and have been working towards new shapes for you.

The Pre-cuts are cut from our ever popular Applique paper – 50% soluble, 50% non soluble natural fibre with a light fusible on one side – so yes, you iron on, sew together, and LEAVE IN the papers! im not sure how much easier and user friendly can it get?

 

 

 

I also have some step by step photo tutorials on my blog for some shapes with the rest to come and I’d really like to do some more Youtube videos on the new shapes one day.

We have about 14 new shapes but remember – any shape and size can be printed, cut, die cut (Brother Scan and Cut, Accucut, Baby, Sizzix, Silhouette) from our Applique paper.

If you’ve been following me on Facebook you would've seen me working on little mini quilts with some of the new shapes – Mini quilts are fun and easy to finish – without that large quilt to tackle the quilting on.. The First Five patterns in the series are finally on the website… some include applique as well (and I've put the applique paper in for you also).

Im working on a quiltalong – like a sampler project to try all of the new shapes, so watch this space – it will be quite a bit of work for me to do so I’ll need a minimum number to join in the fun – it will be all online – comment if you think you’d be interested…. I’ll be sharing on IG and FB also and best of all it will be FREE! (of course you may need to buy the papers to make it tho!)

 

hugs to all for today

Helen

AQC and back again

wow, what a whirlwind few weeks…

First my fabric arrived – well half of it….. but I was still in AQC Prep mode so not much could be done with it….

then it was off and away up the road, onto the boat and into the big smoke!

After unloading in the rain on my own this is how I started!

finally, exhausted about 7 hours later we were sort of done and ready for the opening crowds

Couldn't have done it without my two wonderful helpers Tess and Jess…

We had full houses for all of our Make & take classes and my daily presentation

I caught up with so many stitching friends and customers – it was certainly a full on few days – not to mention my very quick look at the amazing quilts… from the State’s best, to Modern Quilt Guild, to the AQC Challenge ‘True Blue’, individual quilt artist exhibits and Lucy Carol’s The Gallipoli Quilt project.. to name a few.

And who could forget the wonderful Best of Australia quilt won by my friend Linda…. over 23,000 1/4” hexies made up this original design and it was a well deserved win!

so, you may be able to see many many new things in these photos that I just haven't had time to show you or get onto the website…. in 3 days I leave yet again, this time for Seattle for my cruise to Alaska

and then market…

 

So the new patterns and goodies I’m afraid are  going to have to wait until my return at the end of May… please follow along on my travels on Instagram or Facebook… I have a few more posts scheduled to come, will be back in a few weeks…

hugs for today..

Helen

Me & the Quilt show

its been so long I hardly remember, but way back in May of 2013 whilst I was in Portland for quilt market I taped an episode for THE QUILT SHOW! how excited was I!!! but I haven't been able to say anything for all of this time…. now I can tell the world – and even let all of you, my online friends, watch it for free….

you can watch a little trailer here

Now if you know me you are probably wondering if I have been able to watch it yet….. well I was a brave little girl, pulled up my panties and quietly hid away and watched it all by myself before I told even my family about it… and I don’t think I have totally embarrassed myself so here goes….

 

I was joined by my sister Tracey Browning of Constantine quilts and you get the chance to see all about my iron on EPP hexies, how to do them, and my gluestick applique method…

and you can watch the whole show here….

 

so go forth and learn (or have a laugh) – this link is free for you to watch for just one week….

it was fun! and an experience I am very grateful for in this industry. Thanks Shelley, Alex and Ricky for the opportunity.

til next time, hugs for today

Helen