Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Block-a-week Hex-a-thon!

Merrily we Hex-a-thon! Hex-a-thon! Hex-a-thon!

Years ago when confronted by an English Paper Piecing workshop at the local guild, my comment was "Why the heck would anyone want to subject themselves to that intentionally?" Obviously time passes and our tastes change. We have become known for our Love of English Paper Piecing here at Katja's Quilt Shoppe.
For the last several years I have wanted to design an English Paper Pieced Block-of-the-something. I struggled with how to design within a hexagon on the Electric Quilt program I use and last Fall Quilt Market I spoke with the EQ folks and once explained to me the light went on and I realized just how easy it could be. I knew I could have designed it by hand, but I wanted professional looking templates with straight lines when I printed them.
So, here we are folks, your chance to take part. For a $25.00 sign-up fee (plus HST) you will receive a set of general instructions for english paper piecing (and by the way we're making it easier for you by glue basting the shapes instead of thread basting, MUCH FASTER), once a week if you stop by the store the week the pattern is offered the rest is free to you, if you don't come the week the pattern is offered or send someone in to pick it up for you there is a 50 cent fine. The templates (pattern) come printed onto cover stock for you to use for your piecing.
Here is my Week 1 block I am using a collection of Terrain by Kate Spain for Moda and selected solids.
Sharon's lovely Thimbleberries Week 1 block

My Mom, Sonja, is using scrappy Batiks.

Here are the three week 1 blocks. Amazing what a difference the fabrics can make. 

My week 2 block. I love the effect the fussy cutting gives it!

Sharon's week 2 block. Lovely muted colours.

Sonja's Week 2 batik star.

The three Week 2 blocks.

All my blocks so far, giving you a sneak peek of Week 3.


English Paper Piecing is a great portable hand project. Linda is also hex-a thoning with us. And until yesterday I thought Carla, the all-time English Paper Piecing lover, was a hold out. But if you check out her blog I think you'll learn differently.

There's still time to sign up, so come on in!

5 comments:

quiltmania said...

And I love it!

Carla said...

I just couldn't be left out!

Lorraine B. said...

Katja even has me participating and if I can find the time anyone can. The glue basting makes the part of the process I really disliked, basting down the edge of all those little pieces, and makes it so easy. Just cut your fabric, put glue on the edge and stick it down. It is so easy my 7 year old was doing it for me. Give it a try - you may be surprised at how easy it is. I managed to cut out, glue baste and assemble 1/3 of block two while watching a television show last night...and yes, block one is already finished as well!!

Lorraine Balogh

Katja said...

Thanks for your comments ladies. The finished blocks I have seen look wonderful.
And yes Lorraine, the glue basting does make it easier.

Jodi Nelson said...

Katja,

Hello!
I review books from Martingdale Company and Publishers. I found the photo on their flickr site.
The credit must have not shown up in my reader. But if you click on the photo, it will take you to their flickr page and credit to you! :)
http://www.pleasant-home.com/2012/01/scrappy-60-degree-quilt-block.html

And my eyes about popped out of my head when I read your email, because just yesterday I was doing some family history research for my brother-in-law and came across
Kamloops British Columbia! I'd never heard of it before and have it on my list to look up today.
And then I get an email from someone there!
Crazy! LOL

P.S. I'm not sure if you're aware, but I thought I'd let you know, just in case... I tried to reply to your comments on my blog, but you're blog doesn't have an email associated with it.
So I had to google your quilt shop and tried to contact you at the email there, but the link takes me to a Franklin Covey site.??? Most people are not aware of the setting in blogger to allow others to reply to your comments. So I try
to let people know, when I come across No-Reply's.
If you'd like to know more about No Reply bloggers, you can go here:
http://www.pleasant-home.com/2010/12/so-exciting-less-no-reply-bloggers.html

Thanks for stopping by!
ooxx`jodi
www.pleasant-home.com