All about patchwork and quilting

Applecore english paper piecing tutorial

By Hatun Comak → Monday, May 23, 2022

Here comes my latest tutorial! English paper piecing method is always my favourite since you can take your work whereever you go and I like the process of building the work slowly, piece by piece. This time I started my work with applecore pattern and while doing it I also prepared a tutorial for you. It is easy work to me, but if you are new to english paper piecing method, you can have a look at my ENGLISH PAPER PIECING TUTORIAL for beginners. If you are familiar to this method, go on please. One of my favourite shape in english paper piecing is applecore, after hexagons. Hexagons are much easier to sew than applecores since there is sewing curves here. With this tutorial you will learn how to handle these curves successfully.

Here we go!

How to make epp applecores

I always make my own templates for english paper piecing. You may not have enough patience and want to get ready made templates, but I prefer to work on each step by myself. You can download the templates for free.

DOWNLOAD APPLECORE TEMPLATE

The applecores I'll be using are 2" applecores. You need to print out the template and cut it. You should be careful while cutting the curves.

Take your template and place it on the wrong side of the fabric. You can precut 4"×5" rectangles for each applecore.

Mark with a pencil a 3/8" seam allowance. 1/4" seam allowance is too small to work comfortably.

Pin the paper to the wrong side of the fabric and cut out along the seam allowance.

Now you need to make small 1/4" cuts in the seam allowance so that you can form the fabric to the paper piece. You shouldn't cut too deeply.

In this step you may also use glue stick. However, I prefer thread basting. Fold the seam allowances on the paper and glue or baste it. Repeat this for both inner curves. Then cut the outer curves, fold and baste.

The tightness of the point of the applecore is important. When you finish basting, remove the pin and press with iron. It makes it easy to sew applecores together. After making enough applecores, you can start putting them together.

How to sew applecores together

Now let's join our applecores together. Below you can see how to join the two shapes together.

Place the two applecore pieces as shown above, right sides together. Sew right along the two opposing sides. Whipstitch all the way along one side, reposition as you need.

First pieces are joined! You can sew applecores in rows, addind one shape each time. When one row is completed, you add the rows together.

For now I started making applecores with no plans in mind but I progress with this work still not much in mind. I enjoy the process and it will end with something nice, I am sure of that. You do not always start with a plan. Lastly I would like to remind you some points to be careful about.

It is important to remember:

When basting or gluing the shape, ypu should have nice, tight and folded corners.
Do not cut the seam allowances too deep, or else the fabric may tear.
You can remove the templates when all sides are sewn. This also makes sewing easier.

hexagon grapes

hexagon grapes mini quilt

By Hatun Comak → Sunday, February 27, 2022

As a hexagon fan, it is always exciting to try new patterns. Besides certain patterns I also enjoy making fruits with hexagons. I made hexagon pineapples before and this time give a try to grapes. I think I will be continuing with different fruits. Here you can see hexagon grapes.

1/3 half inch hexagons make a bunch of grapes. Hexagon grapes are made with english paper piecing. Half inch hexagons are free to download. Once you have the templates, prepare your hexagons by english paper piecing method and sew the hexagons together. 13 purple hexagon for the grapes and two jewels for the leaves are needed. If you are new to english paper piecing, this english paper piecing tutorial may be helpful.

I used different shades of purple. Arrange the hexagons as a bunch of grapes. Join them together in rows and then sew the rows. Then add two pieces of jewels to make the leaves.

Press with iron and remove the basting thread and the papers. It is always a good idea to press before and also after removing the papers. It helps keep the shapes.

Now it is ready for applique. Place the grapes on the fabric and pin it in place. In this step you may baste it or not. It is up to you. I always baste the pattern on the fabric and then start applique.

The last step is quilting it. I haven't finished quilting it yet, too impatient to share.

I hope you enjoy it.

plus quilt

english paper piecing plus quilt

By Hatun Comak → Saturday, February 19, 2022

English paper piecing plus quilt

Another quilt pattern which has many many variations and techniques to make, when you google it, you can see what I mean, is the plus quilt. The beauty of quilting is the endless options that you have. There are various versions of the plus quilt and they are all appealing to me. The plus quilt can be made either by traditional paper piecing methods; cutting on a cutting mat, sewing with a sewing machine or by english paper piecing.

It's been long time since I've made EPP except hexagons. I like making quilt blocks, english paper piecing and foundation paper piecing. From time to time I use all of these techniques, and now it is time for english paper piecing.

As I have mentioned before, there are various methods to make plus quilt. In one technique for the plus quilt, the plus is formed with a rectangle and two squares. Rectangle is for the cross piece and squares are for the top and bottom. Another method for making plus quilt is by using five squares. English paper piecing plus quilt requires four house-like shapes to make the plus. I couldn't find a ready template, so I drew it on my own. I share my template in three different sizes here so that you can download it for free, print it on cardstock and use it!

DOWNLOAD PLUS TEMPLATE

If you know about english paper piecing, you won't need much information on how to make the plus quilt. But if you a a very beginner, my ENGLISH PAPER PIECING TUTORIAL absolutely will be helpful in order to learn english paper piecing method in a detailed way.

Once you cut templates and baste fabric, you sew the four pieces together to make the plus. Before you join the pluses, lay them out to see if they fit both in size and color. The right color combinations make a perfect look. It also seems like a puzzle.

I started the plus quilt without any plans on mind, I just like how it looks and these days I like working with EPP method. I like EPP projects, I find them easier to make and funnier. The best thing is they are portable; you can take them wherever you go. Yes, the process is slow but I have no hurry.

I will be dealing with plus quilt besides some other projects. This plus quilt will probably turn into a baby quilt and be gifted. I do not know yet, we'll see.

valentine quilting

valentine's day sewing projects

By Hatun Comak → Friday, February 4, 2022

Valentine's day sewing projects

Special days are more special for quilt lovers. The first thing in mind for the upcoming special day is "Well, which quilt should I make this time?" At least true for me. This time Valentine's day is coming and the same question is in my mind; thinking of which of these lovely quilts to make, what pattern to try this time. I especially enjoy Valentine's quilts. Even googling and looking at these lovely quilts with Valentine colors are quite satisfying.

There are so many Valentine sewing and quilting ideas out there. I want to make a list of favourite ideas for Valentine quilts and sewing projects for the year of 2022. Some of these are my works with free templates and tutorials and some others are the works of other quilters that I like them pretty much and thinking of making them.

Whether you make Valentine sewing / quilting for yourself or for your beloved ones as gifts, it is certain that you will enjoy the process.

So here we go:

This Heart Shape Cushion was made years ago. I preferred purple, lila, pink in different shades. I appliqued the hearts into squares and sew the squares together. It is quite simple and quick to make.

Valentine's Day Mug Rug is also quick to make and great as gifts. Foundation paper piecing technique is used to make the hearts. You can get the free downloadable pattern in the link.

I proudly present one of my unfinished projects; English Paper Piecing Hearts. These hearts are made some time ago and have been waiting to be completed. These hearts made by english paper piecing technique are cute and planned to turn into them a table runner.

Heart Mini Quilt Pattern by Sassafras Lane Designs is so cute. There is a also tutorial in the link.

Bursting Heart Pillow by Blue Susan is absolutely on my to-do list.

Quilted Hearts by The Crafty Quilter can be displayed any time of the year. They are lovely!

Lovestruck Heart Quilt by Cluck Cluck Sew is another Valentine themed heart quilt with free tutorial. It is already on my to-do list. You'll love it.

wowen quilt block

woven quilt block tutorial

By Hatun Comak → Sunday, January 16, 2022

Woven quilt block

Quilting must be fun, easy and quick, right! Here comes another easy and quick quilt block. It is easy, simple but still it catches your eye. Look how delicate it looks.

I prepared a tutorial also with step by step instructions and measurements to finish in different size.

It is such an easy quilt block to make but it is not simple or boring. Woven quilt block is made up of only squares and rectangles. The key is the placement of the pieces in order to get the woven effect.

Step by step tutorial

You need five different fabric for woven quilt block; one for background and four for the pattern.
After fabric choices, comes the cutting part. The cutting instructions are for 6" finished quilt block. Below the page you can also find cutting instructions for 8" and 12" finished quilt blocks.

Background fabric: cut 4 squares 2", cut 1 square 2" from each of four fabrics, cut 1 rectangle 2×3 1/2" from each of four fabrics. The pieces in the image above is for one quilt block.
Place the fabric pieces as in the image below, so that you can figure out the pattern.

Seperate them in four groups and start sewing them together. All seam allowances are 1/4".

First sew the square together and then sew the rectangle to the squares.

Now you get four pieces of the pattern. First sew the first row together, then second row. The final step is to sew the two pieces together. Do not forget to press with iron every time you sew a piece.

It's finished!It is quick and simple but variations are limited of your imagination. Below are quilt blocks for 8" and 12".

8" finished quilt block

12" finished quilt block

upcycle jeans

upcycling denim ideas

By Hatun Comak → Friday, October 22, 2021

Jeans must be the most comfortable and durable clothes in the world. There is something indispensable with jeans and when our jeans are too worn to wear them, we look for ways to upcycle them.

From DIY home accessories to refashioned goods, there are enough ideas to upcycle these lovely jeans. Below I collected a bunch of upcycling denim ideas. Some of these works belong to me and some of them are from others that I added here with the aim of giving them a try in future. In a way, these collections are to-do lists for me.

DIY denim pouch

You just need a pair of old jeans and a zipper to make this denim pouch. For a detailed tutorial, check HERE . Adding a little sashiko work makes it perfect and unique.

DIY denim rug

From floor to ceiling in your home, there are upcycling ideas. This denim rug is perfect for your bathroom. You can get the details HERE.

Recycled jean planter

We use every scrap of jeans while recycling them. Using denim pieces, you can make this lovely planter. On one side I used strips of denim in different colors and on the other side I used just one big piece. So by turning the planter, you can have two different models.

Denim coasters

You can make a set of upcyled denim coasters with the pockets of the jeans. These are great as gifts. You can get the free tutorial HERE

DIY jeans bag

Jeans are the most frequently upcycled to make jeans bag and this one is my favourite. The tutorial for this denim bag is HERE

Sashiko denim bag

Here is another denim bag that I made using old jeans. It is a great way to use little pieces to make this sashiko bag. If you are into embroidery, I highly recommend you to try sashiko. It is a kind of Japanese style embroidery which looks great. You can see the details HERE.

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