Being a person of many projects, I’ve finally started a new English paper piecing (EPP) project even though my maple leaf quilt isn’t done. I bought the papers when I first had the idea a year ago but waited until I actually finished my grandmother’s flower garden piece before I started this one.
Knowing that I wanted a scrappy quilt, I’ve picked lots of blue and green fabrics with yellow and peach for contrast and basted the pieces. While I’m not a true improvisational quilter, this is all the planning I’ve done.
I started sewing blocks together then decided to take advantage of the fact that you get a triangle where three of them come together. I started putting one bright half-hexagon in some of the blocks so I could make triangles that appear to float on the surface of the quilt. I have no idea if this will work or not. I’m just making blocks. I’ll see what happens when I lay them out later.
Not making a complete plan can have it’s downsides. I may wind up with blocks I don’t use or having to make a bunch of blocks I never intended to. Ultimately, making it up as I go usually works. It takes faith to just sew without worrying about the results. It helps that I enjoy the sewing so much. If some of it doesn’t work out, I won’t mind, because I had so much fun in the process.
As I prepare to post this, I realize I am not liking the results. I’m definitely going to make some changes. I’ll let you know how it goes.
It’s beautiful, Kit. I like making things up as I go too. So much more fun than following a set plan – at least for certain projects. It’s going to be gorgeous, and if you have a few pieces left over, I’m sure you’ll find a use for them.
Thanks! I’m already making new units so I can change the pattern. The rejects will probably wind up on the back.