Monday 24 November 2014

English Paper Pieced Table Topper...

It's only taken me 8 months, but I have FINALLY finished my English Paper Pieced Table Topper. You'd wonder why something so small could take a long time to finish, but if you're not familiar with English Paper Piecing, it's all sewn by hand.

English Paper Pieced Table Topper ~ sewn by Threading My Way using a pattern by Stitches and Sew On

I really do find hand stitching relaxing, but I don't do it often - when I watch TV, which isn't much, or sometimes when I'm visiting relatives.

English Paper Pieced Table Topper ~ sewn by Threading My Way using a pattern by Stitches and Sew On

I know, it could do with a good iron, but the reality is, I probably won't bother. The creases look worse in the photo than in real life.


I loved the process of using a fussy cutting mirror to get the star shape. It opened up so many possibilities with patterns.

I began the table topper at a quilting retreat, using a pattern by Stitches and Sew On. I learnt so much that day with our tutor, Rachel. Probably the hardest thing for me was using glue on fabric. In my mind, glue and fabric don't go together, but I did do the majority of the topper with glue, only hand basting the outside row of the templates.


I deviated from the pattern at the back. Who knows why I'm showing you a photo of the messy back, other than to keep it real. I used a layer of fusible wadding, then double sided fusible webbing to adhere the bone fabric. The outside row of shapes was then hand stitched down. 


It would have been a lot neater if I'd bothered to baste, or at least pinned. I didn't, however and this is how it turned out. Rachel's method, I'm sure, would produce a much neater finish, but I was after a way to finish quickly. 

Eight months is way too long for a project. If it weren't for the pressure of show and tell at next year's retreat, it probably would have stayed tucked away in the cupboard. I don't like restarting a project after it's been left for a while.

English Paper Pieced Table Topper ~ sewn by Threading My Way using a pattern by Stitches and Sew On

I really am thrilled with my new table topper!!! I have no idea how people hand stitch whole quilts, though.

This little table topper will be joining the 200+ projects in the Quilting & Patchwork link party, here at Threading My Way.

You can read more details on the progress of the table topper:

Do you enjoy hand stitching?

... Pam

20 comments:

  1. Your table topper is beautiful!!!

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  2. BEAUTIFUL star pattern! You say the back is messy, but I don't know how you did that without pinning! What a job!

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  3. It is wonderful Pam! I absolutely love the kaleidoscope effect.

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  4. It's beautiful. I've not done this type of patchwork since I was a teenager and made some very groovy black white and red cushion covers for my room. It is a lovely technique though and your finish is just beautiful. I am inspired to have another go, so onto my ridiculously long list of one day projects it goes!

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  5. It's gorgeous! I won't be rushing to do an entire project by hand though - I don't enjoy hand stitching now :D I used to enjoy doing quilt bindings by hand, but not since my hands (like the rest of me, lol) got old and cranky! :D

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  6. Very nice Pam! I tried hand quilting once; it was very hard and I haven't ever done it again! LOL Handstitching/hand quilting is such a work of art. You did a beautiful job with this.

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  7. That's beautiful, Pam! I can appreciate the work that went into it having hand-stiched a quilt for charity along with some other volunteers and it really does take a long time! I love the fabrics you've used.

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  8. This is beautiful, you did a great job here :)

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  9. Well done Pam, it looks lovely! i can totally see how it would take 8 months to do, EPP takes FOREVER and that is why I will never, ever, do it again! I made a single quilt block and that did me!

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  10. That is sew beautiful Pam! You make me want to try it!

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  11. Hi Pam. This is so beautiful but gosh it sounds like a lot of work all that hand stitching. I have no idea how to hand stitch and I avoid it like the plague, lol. I absolutely love the pattern you have created and I think you are super talented to get it to all line up so perfectly in the middle there. :)

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  12. Beautiful! Love your fabric and how you fussy cut the pieces. Lovely.

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  13. Pam, this is such a lovely project! I have read about paper piecing, but have never attempted it. Yours is so beautiful, it makes me want to learn more about it, and then attempt a project of my own! Thank you for sharing this with us at Treasure Box Tuesday- pinned! :)

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  14. Pam, your topper is beautiful. The print on fabric matches so well! 8 months of work, but worth it :)

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  15. Such a pretty piece, Pam! Love the symmetry. Well worth taking the time to finish this. Now you can show it off at the retreat!

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  16. It's beautiful! I love hand stitching, especially epp. It does take a long time to actually finish anything though.

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  17. Just lovely Pam. I usually don't have the patience for piecing, but yours is so nice it makes me want to do one too! Thanks for sharing this at the Craftastic Monday Link Party:)

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