First Finish ~ EPP Plus

My first finish has happened!  Technically it's a left over WIP from last year, but it's a finish! Waiting for inspiration to hit me after the holidays seemed to take forever.  Motivation was in short supply.  What I needed was to ease back in to the saddle and to finish a WIP was an excellent choice.

EPP PLUS
20" x 20"

EPP Plus Wall Hanging complete.  Last time I blogged about this was in October (Here).  I was trying to figure out a layout I could live with.  Once that happened, the tedious process of hand sewing each and every piece together began.  

Crunchy, crisp and clean! The fun part was popping all the templates out at the end!  I choose not to sew through the card stock template which made it quick and easy taking them out.

When I started quilting I knew I wanted a geometric design.  Beyond that, I had no plan whatsoever! It's the way I roll, what can I say?!   

 Vertical, horizontal, squares, diagonal...grey, aqua and copper thread was used throughout.  

There are areas where I carried the aqua and copper thread through the grey background.

I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the binding.  Something new and different!  A Faced or Knife Edge binding.  Have you ever used this method?  I first saw it on a quilt that Debbie @ A Quilter's Table made.  Right then and there I knew I was going to try it on my EPP Plus quilt.

The tutorial is available here: @ Bloomin' Workshop Blog  

 I didn't want to hide or break up the edges with a regular binding, I wanted to keep it clean.  

With this binding method I wasn't able to do my usual mini hanging method with the corners. I'll come up with something that will work.  

I'm just happy I finished and started...finished a WIP and started that flow of inspiration again!

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Low Volume Plus Block

Have you heard about the Low Volume Plus Block Swap?  Did you sign up for it?  The word is out!   Check on instagram (#lowvolumeplusswap) and on Craftbuds for a massive swap! All the information you need is available here:  Swap With Us!  Tutorial, ideas, inspiration!

This block is super easy, fun and gorgeous of course!  You just need to sign up and choose the quantity of blocks you want to make.  In return, you get the same amount of blocks back for your very own quilt!  There is plenty of time to participate.  The deadline isn't until May...what are you waiting for?!

I decided to jump in!  I've never done a swap of any kind and wanted to give it a try.  I decided to take on 24 blocks. 

I pulled out my low volume fabrics and began to cut.  It was easier for me to cut everything before I started piecing.  Let the assembly line begin!

Picking the right fabrics was interesting!  They needed to be bright and one color.  And I almost did it right!

The assembly line.  Sew, snip, iron and repeat!

Its a good thing I finally caved and bought some bundles of low volume fabrics!  I kind of love them!

I really enjoyed making this block!  Addicting is the word that comes to mind!  Because I hate to put off projects, I decided to knock out all 24 blocks in one day!  You just never know what may come up.  I was being responsible!  And as it turns out I will need to make a few more replacements!  

Turns out there are a couple that I need to redo.  The 'plus' doesn't stand out enough.  I'm ahead of the game, so I can make some changes in plenty of time to meet the deadline!

On another completely different topic!  While I was piecing some feathers yesterday, I kinda broke a rule!  

Something that has never happened to me before!  I set my ruler on the cushioned chair and before I knew it I knelt on the ruler and heard a lovely 'snap!!  Clean break.  Shock. And then I had to laugh!  (oh what?  is that woven stripes...again?!)  

I use it all the time and of course don't have another, I had to think quick!  For the time being I used some clear packing tape for a temporary fix to remedy the accident!  And, hey there sharpie marker...you sutured the crack with precision!  

Have you ever broken or messed up one of your favorite go-to tools?  My ruler will need to be replaced very soon!  

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