An update today on the progress of my Scrappy Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt, and as you can see my enthusiasm for English Paper Piecing (EPP) has not waned. After many long evenings with needle and thread - accompanied by catch-up TV and coffee - the quilt top is finished!
Click on any image for a larger view.
Once all of the "flower" units were completed they were laid out and arranged (and re-arranged) until I was happy with the layout. The units were then sewn together in horizontal rows. There are nine rows with each alternate row starting with either a whole or half unit. Yes, it is definitely more fun to piece the units than it is to sew units together into rows! As the quilt top grows it becomes more and more awkward to hold on to, but it is worth it in the end. Removing papers as you go does help. A lot.
QUILT DETAILS
Scrappy Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt
Quilt top measures 56 inches x 72 inches.
50 Scrappy Grandmother's Flower Garden Units.
8 part-units for the left and right hand side of the quilt.
TOOLS AND NOTIONS for English Paper Piecing:
1572 - 1 Inch Hexagon Papers
The Bottom Line 60wt thread by Superior Threads.
The solid background fabric used in my quilt top is Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Ballet Slipper; a soft and delicate shade of pink (and not so easy to photograph!). I used almost 3 yards of solid background fabric for this quilt top. I do however use a 3/8" seam allowance when EPP'ing which therefore requires more fabric, but makes basting fabric onto papers a much easier task.
All of the papers have now been removed from the quilt top. I still prefer to glue baste when English paper piecing, and as you can see the glue/fabric combination has not affected the seams or frayed the fabric edges when removing the papers. I try to use as little glue as possible, even storing the glue refills in the refrigerator for a short period of time (30 minutes), so that the glue is firmer and less of it ends up on the paper and fabric. I tend to need to do this more often in Summer than in Winter. I am very slow at thread basting!
I am contemplating quilting this quilt top myself ... and yes, the thought of ruining the quilt is very much on my mind.This thought never goes away, even after having already successfully quilted so many quilts. I did try to ensure that all of the fabric pieces are on-grain which will go some way toward stabilizing the quilt top and thereby avoiding the potential for shifting, puckers, and tucks, when quilting. Fingers crossed.
Rita
RELEVANT LINKS:
A Scrappy Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt - Part 1.
A Scrappy Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt - Part 3.
Hexagon paper pieces and template available from Tales of Cloth
More RPQ English Paper Pieced Quilts:
Mandolin Quilt - May 2018
Liberty Stars Quilt - January 2018
Floral Hexagon Quilt - September 2017
Liberty Stars Pillow Cover - July 2017
The Daisy Chain Quilt
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Absolutely gorgeous, this is a really fun and happy quilt. I really must try glue basting some day again, I tried it once and just couldn't get the papers out. x
ReplyDeleteLovely+++++!
ReplyDeleteI love EPP too, although I haven't completed a project nearly this big. It's amazing!
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is just amazing and so happy. I love all the bright colors.
ReplyDeleteGrandma's Flower Garden is one of my all time favorite patterns. Doing it all scrappy just adds to the appeal. Thanks for another inspiration. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy very favorite pattern, Granmother’s Flower Garden! I look forward to seeing it after you have quilted it.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt, love it!
ReplyDeleteIt’s beautiful, Rita. There are so many old favourites that it was lovely to see in this quilt top - some that I’d completely forgotten about, like the lovely Aneela Hooey line with the girl on her scooter! You seem to manage more big EPP finishes than I can even imagine - I’d love to know how many months this one took you from start to finish. Florence x
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, Rita! Hexies are such a great way to use up scraps, and make for a great 'to go' project!
ReplyDeleteThe back is just as interesting as the front. And I didn't realize the background was pink until you pointed it out. I'm with you on using the 3/8" seam allowance.
ReplyDeleteSimply gorgeous! Why don't you handquilt it?
ReplyDeleteRita, this is such a beautiful quilt!! I love your blocks and all the little scraps of fabric! I think I could look at this quilt for hours!! I love the ballet slipper background!! How perfct!! Well done!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the glue in the fridge tip! I love all the fussy cutting. You always put in just the right amount with the overall scrappiness. :)
ReplyDeleteit's such a brave lady you are, Rita . Can't imagine make my own quilt that big - and as usual, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteso lovely. I also like EPP. But your top is really amazing and the combination of colours so Vibrant.
ReplyDelete