I am a traditional machine-piecing kind of gal but I also
LOVE the idea of quilting on-the-go! Like most people, I am busy and while I
enjoy running errands and getting out and doing things, it means time away from
my sewing machine. It means that a doctor’s appointment sends “I’m dreaming of
some new fabric” by Irving Berlin (that’s how the song goes right?) playing in
my head. It means that a trip to the grocery store requires switching gears
from yards and inches to pounds and ounces. The struggle is real. Enter English
paper piecing.
I know that if you’ve never tried EPP before it can look a
little intimidating but it is SO much fun and nothing to be intimidated by in
the slightest. Before I got started I thought it would be a long, tedious and
difficult process but it’s actually very simple, way faster than I thought and
totally portable! It means I can have my beautiful project with me wherever I
go…quilting on the beach, in the car, at the office, on a mountain hike, at church,
on vacation…oh the quilty happiness! Organization and the right supplies can
make hexie quilt projects even more fun!
Whether you’re considering trying EPP or you’re someone who
already enjoys it but is looking for new ideas for organization and supplies, I
have put together a list of my absolute FAVORITE and must-have hexie
necessities. It’s everything I need to quilt on-the-go.
1.
A messenger bag: Are you like me…a member of the
million tote-bags club? AKA the everything falls into the bottomless pit and
now I can’t find anything in my tote bag club? A messenger bag is the perfect
bag for my EPP supplies. It’s narrow, has a flap that goes over the top to keep
everything enclosed and it’s easy to carry. It allows me to keep my quilt top
in progress plus my EPP kit without anything shifting around in the bag. What’s
the EPP kit? Keep reading.
2.
The ArtBin container: This ArtBin container is
exactly the right height for the average 1” hexies. Make some hexies, stand
them on their side in the container (that is customizable with the removable
dividers) and they won’t move at all. Cut and baste the hexies you need to make
hexie flowers and keep each flower and its own compartment…nothing moves and
nothing gets mixed up. This container is the best, BEST thing since sliced
bread and, in my opinion, is a must-have for EPP hexies.
3.
Hexagon paper punch: I use the Fiskars Xlarge
paper punch. It will punch through 1-3 sheets of average computer paper at a
time comfortably...super fast and easy.
4.
Sewline Glue Pen: I used to thread-baste my
hexies because, for some reason, the thought of glue scared me a little. It
just..didn’t seem natural to put glue on my fabric but trust me…it is so much
easier and it’s glue specially made for sewing. It is soooo much faster and it
works wonderfully.
5.
Sewline glue refills: If you love using the glue
pen as much as I do, you’ll want refills.
6.
Computer paper: There are different thoughts and
different opinions in the quilting community on this one. I have made hundreds
of hexies and I’ve only used your average computer paper. You can use thicker
paper or pre-cut hexagons but I have never had an issue working with computer paper
or paper of similar thickness. It works like a charm and is easy to come by.
7.
Small/embroidery scissors. Portable and perfect
for snipping on small projects.
8.
Hand-quilting thread: This is my personal
preference. Since the piecing is all done by hand, the hand-quilting thread feels
more secure and is harder to break than all-purpose thread.
9.
A
needle book: much smaller than a pin cushion, a small needle book fits inside
the artbin and is a great portable solution for holding needles.
10.
Needles: any all purpose
hand-sewing needles will do. Just make sure they are not too thick.
That’s it! So simple! Hand-piecing is so relaxing and before
you know it you’ll have a finished masterpiece. Happy quilting!
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