'So That's Where You've Been'::Hidden WIP

Even though I wasn't able to get much done in the way of quilting after Christmas, I was able to poke through a closet, a drawer or two and touch my fabric.  During the mindless distractions I came across a project I started way back in October 2015!  For me that is unheard of.  

WIP's are more often ones that my daughter started, not mine!  I'm usually a one quilt woman! Finding this 'ancient' EPP Star sparked my desire to get to work, finish this beauty and get my first finish of the year under my belt!

20" x 19"

I had recently found that English Paper Piecing was a new love, a new obsession.  I remember searching google for a project and as soon as I came across this star, I knew then and there it was the one!

I printed the templates, picked the fabric and started my new evening entertainment. I hadn't a clue what I was going to make with the stars, but did it really matter?  Not then it didn't!



I began with one, two, three and it quickly morphed in to seven.  Seven I could work with. Seven makes a circle.  A circle for what never entered my mind. 

Each star went together easily enough, each hexagon fit like a puzzle...perfect!  This is the point where I hit a wall!  What does one do now?  Shoot!  



With little in the way of options and a determination to make it work, what else could I do but draft my own template?  What's the worst thing that could happen...it wouldn't work!  

After a few tests I came up with a template that I was happy with.  I was pretty sure it would fit and not look too hateful.



I got this far before it was pushed to the side like a piece of broccoli on a dinner plate.
Hidden away, forgotten and neglected.  If it wasn't for my need to organize and poke around it might have spent another year in limbo.



Picking up where I left off presented one potential problem.  Do I have any more of the background fabric?  Thankfully I did.  

With one more pillow needing a new cover for my couch, I knew this would make the perfect ending to that awful nightmare!

I had to draft pieces to make the round...square.  This was the 'not fun' part.  It proved very difficult with my limited experience.  What's the saying?  'Close enough is good enough'?!  In this case, yes it was!



Geometric dot-to-dot quilting was calling my name!  I kept it simple and clean.  Just enough to give some visual interest.





I'm a big fan of hidden zippers and use this tutorial all the time: S.O.T.A.K. Hidden Zipper. The last pillows I made with hidden zippers, I decided to try glue basting the zippers before stitching the fabric to the zipper.  No matter how careful or how many pins I used, my back panels never seemed to line up.  Glue basting worked amazingly well for me and seemed to solve my problem.    



The star points are Studio E - Peppered Cottons.  Heavyweight shot cottons that have a beautiful and unique look.  I do love a good weft & warp!  The background fabric is a linen or linen blend in oatmeal.  



It's always fun to have a first finish of the New Year!  It's like breaking the ice...once that happens feels like things can finally get started!

Have you had your first 2017 finish?  I like the idea of starting off with something small and manageable!


UPDATE:: The source for the Star Templates has been located!!  You can find the templates here:  Nellie's Niceties Hexiestars!! 

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