Windham Wednesdays with More Diamonds, Jewels and Hearts

Last week I shared about some mini hearts made using Jewel papers and English Paper Piecing (EPP). These are some samples for my upcoming EPP class in July. I'm going to stack the hearts and they will nestle into one another.

Stacked Hearts made using jewel papers and a variety of Windham Fabrics

I received a card in the mail the other day with Stacked Hearts. Cute, huh?

And then I got to thinking: Hmmm. Stacked Hearts. Stacked Hearts. I think I have a quilt by that name!

This is one of my appliqué patterns that I shared a few months ago as a Valentine's Day blog post. I used the Uncorked Collection by Windham Fabrics.

Stacked Hearts using the Uncorked Collection by Windham

Here's the range of fabrics in a set of fat quarters. Quite luscious, don't you think? I've already pulled the pinks for some EPP hearts.

Fat quarters of Uncorked by Windham

And, yes, for some reason I cut a square from each of those fat quarters. I think they were used to make another quilt (I'll share that another day).

6" squares from each of the fat quarters

This is my first Stacked Hearts quilt using a variety of Windham fabrics (Raj, Dot.com and Spin). Don't you love all that color!

Stacked Hearts

I decided to make a sample for my upcoming Machine Quilting workshops and used my Stacked Hearts appliqué as a stencil. I used freezer paper ironed to the fabric; stitched around it; peeled freezer paper off and then went to town free motion quilting both inside and out. A little crazy with those outside waves. Sort of reminds me of some Super Hero radiating her power - stand back!

Stacked Hearts

Now, let's see some of those Uncorked Hearts, shall we? Because I'm working with 1" jewels (which are also 2" along the long sides), I first cut diamonds from 2-1/2" strips. A basic ruler with the 60 degree markings is all I use.

Then I cut off one tip as shown. I always allow 3/8" (and not the recommended 1/4") for my seams. I like having more to work with and the fabric stays folded better! Quilt Police are NOT allowed anywhere near my sewing room!!

Trimming rotary cut diamonds for use with jewels

And how they look front and back:

Jewels pinned and ready to be transformed into hearts!

Three little Jewel Hearts. So sweet. So pink.

3 Jewels Hearts

Here are 3 of the hearts in two arrangements. Which do you like best?

3 Heart Wreath made using EPP jewels

 And let's get back to the stacked hearts!

3 Stacked Hearts

I have a few other EPP patterns using other shapes. Check them out!

My Pin and Needle Case is an awesome way to keep your EPP papers, pins, fabrics together. There are pockets inside and even "pages" using batting. This Grandmother's Flower Garden block uses 1" hexagons.

Hexie Needle Case

And my Zig and Zag of Hexies Table Runner made with some awesome Lotta Jansdotter fabrics. I used large, 2" hexagons for this. I actually made two of these.

The Zig and Zag of Hexies

Large, 2" hexies capture a lot of the print! Can you see that little frog sitting by the side of the river?

2" Hexies using the Briar Rose collection

Zig Zag Hexie runner using Briar Rose