Honey, Honey pattern testing

I recently finished testing a new paper-pieced pattern. The pattern is called "Honey, Honey," and it was designed by Esther. Here is the pillow she made and showed on her blog.

For my version, I decided to go with different black prints for the background, and two shades of pink/fuchsia for the honeycombs.  I like to pre-cut my fabric pieces for foundation piecing, especially any large pieces that end up around the outside edges. I printed up a couple extra copies of the foundations and cut them up into the various parts. These pieces have extra wide seam allowances added, and they include arrows to indicate grainlines. Then I used those as my patterns for cutting my fabrics.

Here are all of my pre-cut fabric pieces, ready to begin piecing.

I don't have any photos of the process while I was piecing the blocks. I like to use the "Add-A-Quarter" tool for trimming away excess fabric. It makes getting the next piece lined up correctly much easier. I'm sure there are YouTube videos or other tutorials on using this tool.

Piecing the segments went quite smoothly. Esther's pattern was clear and easy to follow. I had a little trouble when it was time to join the segments together because my foundations had printed up at slightly different sizes, which made it difficult to get my seams to match precisely. However, I think I managed to persuade it all to behave, and I am very happy with the result. 

My finished piece has 4 blocks and measures 20" x 20". I may make it into a pillow, or add a border for a wallhanging. Esther's pattern includes variations for more blocks, including one with a great corner effect. That will be my next version if I decide to make this pattern again. 

Congratulations to Esther on this fabulous pattern. I am so glad I got to be one of the first people to try it out! For more of her amazing designs, check out her blog or go to her Craftsy store.

I am linking up to the Paper Piecing Party at Quiet Play and to Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.. I look forward to seeing this week's inspiring group of projects.


Julie in GA

Scraps and Hexies and Stars, Oh My! 9/27/13

One of the greatest things about blogging is discovering the unlimited creativity of other quilters. I am constantly amazed by all the incredible ideas floating around, and it is overwhelming how generous quilters are in sharing their designs and their tips and tutorials.

I especially love taking part in the link-ups on other blogs. Today's post is going to be linked to two blogs that I just discovered in the last few weeks, Hexie Friday at A Quilting Reader's Garden and the Paper Piecing Party at Quiet Play. On Saturday, I will also link up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, and also to Scrap Basket Sunday at Kim's Big Quilting Adventure.

Both of my projects this week were started as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. For September our chosen color has been baby blue. I paper pieced nine light blue Dancing Stars blocks to add to those I have been making all year. Here they are on their own, plus combined with my darker blue blocks. If you are interested in this pattern, it is available as a free download at Amy's Creative Side.

Since August I have been working on some English Paper Pieced hexagons, also in the colors of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. The hexies have been the perfect portable project for me, and they generally go most everywhere with me. There will definitely be more hexies to come in future months.

Happy quilting!

Julie in GA

Paper Piecing Party and Hexie Friday 9/20/13

The more time I spend quilting and blogging, the more other blogs I find with link-ups that interest me. Just in the past few weeks I have discovered Hexie Friday at A Quilting Reader's Garden. Also on Fridays is the Paper Piecing Party hosted by Kristy at Quiet Play. This week I am going to link up to both with one blog post.

Since January I have been participating in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge hosted by Angela at soscrappy. Every month she assigns a color for our scrappy projects. On Saturdays everyone links up with posts and photos of their progress. My project for the year has been making Dancing Stars blocks from a pattern I found at Amy's Creative Side. This month we are working with baby blue, and here are the paper-pieced blocks I have finished so far. They will join approximately 100 more blocks in other colors that have been made throughout the year.

My other current scrappy project is making hexie stars and snowflakes, also in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color. I have finished one snowflake, and just have to attach the outer points to my star. I'm not sure what size quilt these will become a part of, but I am greatly enjoying having this little hand-work project to carry with me.

Those are my current scrap-happy projects. I will be linking them up to Hexie Friday and to the Paper Piecing Party. Check out both places for great ideas and inspiration.

Happy quilting!

Julie in GA