I’d seen this abbreviation a bit lately and had to look it up as I had no idea what it meant.  If you don’t know hexagons, (hexies) and other shapes by EPP, you can easily learn.

This is my then-decades old project in 2006 – I’m getting closer to finishing now, just a couple more rows of cream hexies and that will be enough for a decent size bed quilt.  Someone mentioned in a post today how thrilled they were to discover hexies, as apart from the crisp shapes we all love, the portability of a few paper and fabric shapes, a needle, thimble and thread in your handbag or pocket helps keep hands busy while waiting for kids or others.  It’s relaxing and therefore quite therapeutic I feel.  Any simple geometric shape can be EPPed as long as the sides match in length – there are lots of patterns built from basic geometric shapes here and elsewhere on the net  – http://tinyurl.com/zpd8wwr.  and in addition you can do clamshell patterns, too. There’s a class at the IQF in Houston today on this very subject, though I thought the fabric chosen for the sample not entirely appropriate.

Here’s a link on how to EPP –  http://www.thezenofmaking.com/2013/06/tutorial-english-paper-piecing-hexies-part-1/  with step by step instructions.  The requirements and process are simple.   I learned from my friend Heather Stewart of Launceston Tas, one-time hexagon queen of Australia, who did not use the glue step and neither do I – quite unnecessary imho.  So if you’ve a mind to join what feels like a growing wave of popularity, grab a few of your many scraps and have a go.  You could be easily hooked in no time.

A detail of one of the Land Marks quilts I entered into Quilt National, none of which were accepted which’s Life of course. The silvery bits are that wonderful nylon backed silvery mylar fabric, and the black markings are hand drawn. The snipped segments are machine sewn with invisible thread onto a layer of mock patent leather backed with some nylon organza.  When I fused the layers it all wrinkled – a fabulous effect even if a bit unexpected 🙂

Just as well I had a real push to get these pieces finished to at least the ‘photography stage’ and submit my entries unusually early for me.  My recent hip replacement turned into much more of a drama than I expected – I had a normal op returning home after a few days.  But a week later I’d developed an infection, and then after becoming more sick thanI ever remember they found my body was rebelling against the strong iv antibiotic I was on.  So blood transfusions, change the antibiotics and go to oral, and monitor, monitor, monitor – for another 9 days in hospital.  I’m home now, feeling a bit more normal each day but still not eating well – and I’m losing weight which at the moment suits me just fine as I have plenty of extra and summer’s coming up – but I do not recommend this way to ‘diet’ !

While I was laid up I was asked to consider devising a challenge for the Ozquilt members online group, so I did and that will appear on the page around mid january.    This  feels like a good time to get out the old hexagon project and do some more on that.  The weather’s foul and the friend Suzie who’s staying with us is industriously smocking – and talking of course, so I think I could be stitching ditto 🙂  We’ve watched several movies including Emma, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo trilogy and one or two less impactful ones.  I’m way behind with Pinterest browsing but will get a bit of that each day from now on and bring something interesting to my readers – there’s such a lot going on out there.  I’m glad to be able to re-focus on matters textilian again.