15 Comments
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Tracy K's avatar

Your new project is lovely. I always marvel at how you put fabrics and colors together!

I have been working on the Kingfisher quilt project you and Jodi collaborated on years ago. It has been my toe dip onto epp to see if I could tolerate the slow pace. I have to admit I have fallen in love! I am stacking up future projects in my mind that will last me years lol.

I hope you don’t mind the question but it seems you started epp with glue basting and have now switched to thread basting. Do you mind reflecting on why the switch and the time difference you experience in the one versus the other? I currently glue baste and find it has pros but find the cons a bit irritating and have wondered about switching. I just am not sure I would enjoy the added prep time…

Thanks so much!

Rachel LaBour's avatar

Good question about the glue basting. I found that the glue only stuck well enough for my taste when I used an iron to press my glued pieces. I prefer to baste on the go, without an iron. I keep a glue stick in my EPP project sack, but I never really use it anymore. I guess I also like the process of thread basting. It's relaxing!

Karen's avatar

I was taught using the basting method and find it to be quite relaxing and seems to hold up well!

Tracy K's avatar

Thank you. I’m struggling with the short lifespan of the glue and the general low tack hold. I will have to give the thread basting a go. An added relaxing element is always a great thing:)

Louisa Enright's avatar

I would love to hear what you have to say about glue vs. basting too Rachel.

Rachel LaBour's avatar

Good question about the glue basting. I found that the glue only stuck well enough for my taste when I used an iron to press my glued pieces. I prefer to baste on the go, without an iron. I keep a glue stick in my EPP project sack, but I never really use it anymore. I guess I also like the process of thread basting. It's relaxing!

Gaitedgardens's avatar

Lovely! I, too, love the portability and slow pace of EPP. I started the Cherish quilt by Jodi. I find that in choosing color/ fabric combinations, each block is like a mini quilt.

Rachel LaBour's avatar

That's true. Since EPP is slower, I do approach each block as its own little accomplishment - like a mini quilt!

Karen's avatar

Your blocks are sew beautiful, Rachel! The colors and prints you have chosen for each block are sew fun and interesting to look at! I started an EPP last year! I’m at the point of sewing the rows together! The last step will be putting a straight cut border on to finish it off!

Rachel LaBour's avatar

How exciting, Karen, that you are nearing the finish of your first EPP quilt! That's quick in my book. Congrats!

Louisa Enright's avatar

Lovely blocks. I'm still a little burned out on EPP projects. I love hand sewing at night and made many beautiful quilts with the night sewing--and, yes, sewing away from home with EPP projects. The last quilt was difficult and took me years to make. Curves, very tiny pieces. I'm sure I will start something again one of these days. But not quite yet. My "Parsnips" is on the longarm. I'll try sending a pic again one of these days soon. I love it!

Jodi Godfrey's avatar

Your blocks are so beautiful, Rachel! I love the new ones especially! 😍

Susie Tucker's avatar

That’s lovely Rachel; I love the prints. I’ve been making a Willoughby quilt of Jodi’s for the last year.

Rachel LaBour's avatar

Oooh, that's a pretty design!

Minnie's avatar

Rachel, these are lovely! One if these days I’ll try EPP, or atleast finish the one simple hexie flower I started 5 years ago. I’m always in awe of the colors and prints people pick, so creative, interesting and intricate!