Tessellations II

I've noticed that a few of you have started making Tessellations II (I've been peeking at blogs!!), so I thought you might like to see some close-ups of this quilt - and the detail in the fussy-cutting

Helen emailed me to say that there was some confusion in the instructions - my reply to her was that this is a very simple quilt... 4 shapes:  a hexagon; a square, a diamond and a triangle, all with 2 1/2 inch sides.  Start in the centre and add your shapes one round at a time, auditioning fabrics and colours as you go.  Don't get too far ahead, as you may change your mind.  I changed from cool tones to warm tones with each round to give maximum contrast and to make each round "pop".  (The pink and yellow fabrics being the warm tones, and the blue and green fabrics being the cool tones.  The white with black spot acts as a neutral to separate the colours)

The book shows the addition of each round of fabrics and the direction for fussy-cutting in the coloured step-by-step instructions.  When I teach this quilt in a class, students only have a black/white graph of the quilt with heavier lines to mark the "rounds" where the colours change from cool to warm.
Have fun with fussy-cutting this one!

Tessellations II

Lee emailed to say that pattern piece "B" has been omitted from the pattern pieces on page 207.  Clever Lee also worked out that the missing piece is a 2 1/2" square to fit all the other pieces in  the puzzle!  No-one, however, has realized that the picture for this quilt is on it's side!! Not a problem really...
I should also mention that I paper-pieced my quilt and that I have pre-cut paper pieces available on my website for Tessellations I (this quilt's brighter version).  This quilt (T-II) uses the same pieces with the addition of some hexagons.

If you find any other errors in the book, please email me, so that I can fix them here and they can be corrected in the reprint later this year.
 

Josephine Baker meets Carmen Miranda - fussy-cutting heaven!

This close up shows how the stripes and motifs have been fussy-cut, either "on point" or "square" to achieve the desired effect. Note: the repeated placement of similarly coloured pansies in the border... hexie madness!!

English Paper Piecing 4 - Fussy-cutting: on point and square

How you fussy-cut your fabrics will have a dramatic effect on the look of your paper piecing. Using stripes and geometric prints on the outer edge of diamond shapes will act as a frame around fussy-cut motifs for the centre and surrounding 8 hexagons as shown in the sketch above. Consider whether you need to fussy-cut with the featured motif "square" or "on point" to achieve the desired effect. This example is taken from the quilt: "Josephine Baker meets Carmen Miranda"

These hexagons above are all cut "square"

These hexagons above are cut with the motif or stripe "on point"

English Paper Piecing - 1

A hexagon is measured along its side, which is equal to the radius.
The larger the hexagon (or other geometric shape), the more seam allowance or turning, you will need. e.g.:
  *  for a 1/2" hexagon - allow 1/4"
  *  for a 3/4" hexagon - allow a scant 3/8th"
  *  for a 1" hexagon - allow 3/8th"
  *  for a 1 1/2" and over - allow 1/2"

Firstly, make accurate cutting templates in clear plastic, including the required seam allowance.  Mark the original hexagon shape in the centre, and lines on point and square for fussy-cutting fabrics

Hold your plastic template over the fabric and cut around the shape.  It isn't necessary to draw a line first.  Remember the papers will be accurate, the fabric is approximately accurate.  If you are fussy-cutting a motif, the lines will help align the same centre point and direction of your motif.  If you are not fussy-cutting, fabric can be folded to cut as many thicknesses as your scissors will allow - I cut up to 6 thicknesses.

Baste the fabric over the papers without stitching through the paper - see English Paper Piecing - 2.  This way the papers can be removed without removing the basting. The basting secures the folded edges and prevents them bunching when the work is washed.  Traditionally, English Paper Pieced work was not quilted. They were used as decorative coverlets on beds or furniture or as bed and curtain hangings.
Papers were sometimes left inside quilts made for charity - this added an extra layer of warmth - there is a reference to the "rustling of the quilt" in Oliver Twist.
Pre-cut paper geometric shapes in all sizes can be purchased from:
www.busyfingerspatchwork.com  in Australia
www.paperpieces.com in USA