ckcowl

i do alot of EPP---and i do not sew through the papers at all---so it is not an issue- i fold the fabric over the paper edges & baste them- but i do not sew through the paper- i do not have to remove the basting stitches- they stay-unseen on the backs- and i simply pull the papers out to reuse them- i guess learning to EPP with mylar templates instead of paper made it a bit easier- i have seen some with the fabric stitched right through the paper & really did not understand why anyone would do that- then you have to unstitch all of those- i will take a couple pics of both sides of a couple of my blocks...

Petey

Here is my two cents worth - I have done hexies both ways - paper pieced (english) which I am enjoying right now - you have to have a long term perspective on this method. I have done the 1/2 hexies sewn together - much faster and can be done by machine. They are not the same look at all - EEP is a more traditional, grandmother look and the other can be very modern looking.

Karenowc

I've been making a GFG with hex's for the past 10+ years. It's my travel project and it have over 4,000 hex's in it, hence the loooong timeframe. I enjoy working on it. I made all my hex's using the Ardco template mentioned above.
I drew the cutting line of the actual finished size on freezer paper, cut on the lines then ironed it to the wrong side of the fabric. Next I cut a 1/4" seam around each and then basted the pieces together. I baste into the paper, but I was able to remove the paper and use it again. I'm in the process of putting all the big blocks together and then will have to decide if I will hand or machine quilt.

Here are a couple photos of the quilt blocks:

Pat625

Beautiful GFG!! Love the colors

PlanoDebbie

I'm now working on my 4th EPP quilt. Since we spend a lot of time driving to see my daughter perform with her college marching band, I have lots of idle time and enjoy doing this. I love the precision of the pieces all coming together so perfect. It's also easy to take with on our cruises. If I can't bring a sewing machine, at least I can bring a quilting project!

pojo

I use cardstock and punch a hole in the middle too.
later you just pop the template out.

you can also use the hole for a pin too hold your fabric while you are sewing it.

Cindy60545

Here's a picture of my GFG that's got 14 flowers left to go of the 110 flowers. I baste onto the cardboard, then starch them, pull the cardboard out & stitch them together. It was my truck project for over a year when I drove my 18 wheeler, now it's my TV time project. After the flowers are complete, I still have one row of white, then a scrappy row to finish it off.

chairjogger

About 5 years ago I purchased quilt pattis. Don't know if still available. I have parkinson(isms). These are perfect for hand work. Each piece selvage of shape is folded over plastic shape, baist a ling running stitch to hold shape. 40 are in my pack and i have saved every one of them. As each floweret for grandmothers flower garden is completed i pop out the plastic pieces. It is wonderfut! Like holding two cards tigether and stitch! The paper is too thin for me. I tried card stock. That workedbut love my plastic pieces. Thicker than butter lids.

chairjogger

Not one was shown at the national quilt show in Ohio. Also absent cathedril window pattetn. These two are labor intensive. The shoe had WOW factor as far as labor intensive quilts! Just more modern patterns. The Grandmother Flower Garden flowerets are fun to make as a scrappy too! Love this pattern!

Fabricbug

My question is how do you get your whip stitching to look neat? I made a two big hex's and put batting inbetween and then ladder stiched it. Then quilted the individual hex block and attached them together with the other ones. But with the English paper piece and with only the two pieces of fabric it's hard for me to have an even stitch is there a secret someone will share?