In the lead up to our leaving Japan, it made sense to stock up on some special things not as readily available in Australia. Certain foods, certain house goods, certain stationery and fabric… Except, I was ok with the level of fabric I had to move back to Australia. But how could I leave without one last little bit of at least something?! And that something turned out to be Liberty. Cheaper than what’s available here, that’s for sure. For Valentines Day, my husband bought me 3 half-metre cuts of randomly selected Liberty. Good man! And I bought myself a few 10cm charm packs. But now what?!
Skip forward a few months later, and it turns out English paper piecing, that’s what. Upon our arrival in Melbourne, and my rapid dive into sit and sew sessions at various places, it became just-as-rapidly clear that I needed a hand sewing project to cart around. Or for evenings in front of the telly. Add to that Jodi’s new EPP shapes store, and I just had to try it. You see, I had tried it 5 years ago when I first started quilting, but it was too slow for me. Now? Now I’m a mature quilting adult who can appreciate the slower, finer things in life like EPPing with Liberty. Ahem.
And I’ve fallen hard. I started playing with the Shape Family pack and came up with these star blossoms, using diamonds and kites. I’m alternating more-saturated and less-saturated around the blossom, and using two greener prints for the leaves around the outside. I can get one diamond or three leaves from 10cm charm square! It’s perfect.
I’ve got one more complete blossom-and-leaves pile of charms chosen, plus at least 2 more blossom prints chosen, but I need to get some more greener Liberty options. Oh dear, does that mean some shopping?! Such a hard life!
Carla says
I bought some Liberty in Japan too – much nicer price there.
Hand sewing also stretches out your fabric dollar; you get hours and hours of peaceful enjoyment with a low per hour cost.
In a way, you are being very economical by combining EPP and Liberty! Right? 🙂 And it is beautiful.
Alyce says
That’s a great way of looking at it, I like it 😉
Cathy Melancon says
Hey Alyce! These shapes and the Liberty fabrics are amazing! I have never been a fan of EPP and all because I just don’t care for the hexagon shape! Don’t hate me! But your star is gorgeous! Yikes, I may be a convert!! Please keep us posted on your progress! In the meantime, I might just go check out the EPP shapes store!!! 😉
Alyce says
Haha, no hate, just a nodding head in agreement! If I’m going to EPP, I want it to be with shapes that are virtually impossible to machine piece 😉
Jayne says
This is going to be gorgeous! I thought I would never do EPP, but once I tried it I ended up loving it! I also go my Epp Shapes from Jodi and settled on the design yesterday and…picked out fabrics! Hope it works as well as yours has!
Alyce says
Haha, sounds like my journey!
Kathleen says
Very pretty! I’ve only done hexagons so far. Would love to branch out.
Alyce says
I tried them once, and was bored… maybe now that I’ve started again, I’ll try them again?
Susan says
Definitely a hard life you have going there. =) Best of luck finding a perfect Liberty – or a layer cake maybe? Does Liberty do that? Maybe a swap of 25 cm squares with your Liberty loving friends?
Alyce says
Ahem, I may or may not have signed up for a Liberty F16 club, ahem.
Susan says
LOL, well I hope you do, or do not, enjoy that and get plenty of greens. I did like what you are doing with your pieces. Very pretty.
Heulwen says
Love your EPP flowers and print choices! 🙂 I recently discovered the delights of EPP and Liberty, although I haven’t yet put the two together. I probably will soon, though – I love designing the shapes in Inkscape and I bought some very lovely F8 bundles of Liberty at the Festival of Quilts last weekend. Happy days!
Alyce says
Ohhh, it’s really sooo lovely to stitch up together! So soft and the needle just glides through!