EPP + Paper Piecing = Rainbow Love

When I found out I was going on vacation to the beach earlier this month, I knew I was going to have to come up with a small project to bring along with me.  The best traveling option seems to be English Paper Piecing.  It's small, compact and doesn't require a lot of focus for the most part. 

My last EPP project was my Mini Bow Tie quilt and while it was pretty easy to make the blocks I didn't want to do another one.  In my mind I think of hexies as the beginners EPP...EPP 101!  I know that isn't really the case as hexies can be joined together to create a lot of spectacular and intricate designs.  It was the shape that got me into EPP and for this travel project it was the easy choice.

I found exactly what I wanted on one of my pinterest boards!  Its another project I've wanted to make for years, but never found the time to do so.  It was time!  

    
Honestly the hardest part was picking the fabric!  I pulled out my 2 1/2" squares and slowly began building my rainbow.  Since this was a last minute project, I didn't actually take the time I should have to get the colors perfect.  I could have done better!  Maybe if I had used solids, but my mind was stuck on prints.  



The mistake I made was starting this EPP project before I left for the beach!  I wanted to see how one section of color went together.  Just a test.  Basically you make one big 'C' shape with the hexies, and then sew all the sections together.  Well...it went together so fast and easy that I couldn't stop!  Before I knew it...it was finished!

What's a girl to do?!  This girl thought about it while basking in the sun and wondered what else could I do to put it over the top!



My first and only thought was to make mini blocks for the centers.  I had just received my Quiet Play Pattern Club patterns and noticed the Geometric Love Hearts.  I think that will work!  I ended up enlarging the middle heart in the pattern to the size I wanted and like magic I had six beautiful hearts!



Of course, I had to figure out how I would incorporate them into the hexies.  This project started with the mindset of keeping it simple and so I did the same with the hearts.  

When I decided on the center blocks I initially thought I'd piece them in a circle and lay the hexie piece over the top.  That idea quickly vanished when I regained my senses!  



I added borders around each heart that was large enough to fill the middle with extra for the back.  After carefully aligned each heart I glued them to the back.  Not the prettiest back I've ever seen, but good enough for me!



Now I have something to work with!  I was going to put a blue heart in the center space, however it didn't seem right to me.  And since I didn't really have any blue in my rainbow...  



I found a dark blue with a pretty flower and slapped that sucker in the center!  Viola!



If I were ever going to make an exact replica of this I might not add borders to the hearts, instead I might use large pieces of white during the paper piecing process to eliminate a few seams.  Maybe, maybe not!



For now, this measures 22" x 22".  I haven't had a chance to quilt it or even think about how I'll quilt it, but it'll happen!  

If you are itching to do a simple hand stitching project, I highly recommend this one!  I'm excited to make another one or two...one which will me a mini version...big surprise right?!

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING 
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF ● WHOOP WHOOP FRIDAY

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY