Tag: handmade

English Paper Piecing Workshop

March 5, 2026
Fussy cut EPP block using diamond paper shapes to create a kaleidoscope effect

Last week, I took an English Paper Piecing workshop with Amanda Bauer. This all-day class was sponsored by my quilt guild (meaning an affordable $55.00 class fee + a $15 kit fee). Prior to this class, I’d never taken a formal class on EPP and my experience has been limited to hexagon shapes only. Yep, I can definitely make a hexie flower with no problem!

I’ve definitely upped my EPP game by taking this class. I fine-tuned my glue-basting process, learned how to “marry” the needle and thread, plus got a little bit better at whipstitching my pieces together. I normally use a flatback stitch for EPP, but her method for the whipstitch is faster and results in less hand fatigue.

Like any instructor, she has her favorite products to use for EPP and shared her reasons as to why. Honestly, they weren’t that much different from the other instructor product offerings I found online. Students were provided kits and access to recommended tools to try during the class. I may very well switch to using her style of whipstitch in the future. However, I’ll keep using my 80 wt Wonderfil polyester thread in a coordinating color to lessen stitch visibility. That’s my personal preference.

Basic tool recommendations for EPP:

Needles: Milliners/Straw sizes 9, 10 or 11. (Bohin, John James, Sue Daley) OR Sharp sizes 7 – 9
Thread: Polyester 50 wt, 60 wt or 80 wt in matching color, if possible.
Paper shapes: Purchased shapes offer consistency. Paper Pieces is a good source of EPP paper templates.
Glue pen: Sew Line glue pen and refills
Scissors: Serrated edge (Karen K. Buckley or Kai Scissors)
Rotary cutter: Olfa 28mm
Automatic needle threader: Bohin or Clover
Recommended: Small rotating cutting mat, Magic Seam ruler for fussy cutting, Sew Tites and Wonder Clips.
Optional: Needle keeper, thimble and thread conditioner

Videos I think you might find helpful:
Fat Quarter Shop Tula Pink EPP series
Wonder Window technique for fussy cutting

EPP is very portable. Word to the wise: When traveling by plane, Amanda recommends that you cut (and glue baste if possible) all shapes ahead of time, take a small pair of snips you don’t mind losing and a small usb light. Definitely leave the rotary cutter and mat at home or pack it in your checked luggage.

Sewing Machine Service

February 2, 2026

More like: what are my options now that my long-time sewing machine repairman has finally decided to retire?

Backstory: I took advantage of a great opportunity to purchase the Elna version of the Janome 9480 with ASR that I’ve been coveting for the past 18 months. A friend and fellow guild member expressed interest in purchasing my Janome 8900. I’m so happy about the 8900 going to a new home! Now to get it ready.

Today, I took the machine in for service. Ashby Sewing has been my primary go-to for machine service and repair since moving to Atlanta. The business changed hands in September 2025, with the previous owners staying on to provide machine repair services and support for a set period of time. I was so happy to see the previous owners when I dropped the machine off this morning. I know the 8900 will be in good hands. I’m also aware that the previous owners will have fulfilled their obligations under the sale agreement sometime soon. I’ve not seen any apprentice techs in the shop, so I’m not sure what the new owners have planned with regard to future machine service & repair. The new owners have put a lot of effort into refreshing the store’s interior and focusing on apparel and garment sewing. The revamped sewing machine line-up also reflects this new direction. These changes definitely meet a need on the NW side – just not the type of sewing I like to do.

With input from those much wiser than me, here’s my plan for future sewing machine service & repair!

(1) Kid-use machines and anything vintage I can’t fix will go to one of the independent sewing machine techs who make monthly visits at Tiny Stitches and Stitched Gifts.

(2) Janome/Elna machines requiring dealer service will go to A-1 Sewing in Tucker or Sew Sew Studio in Bogart/Duluth. A little bit more a drive, yes, but not that big of a deal. The machines that I actually take to the dealer average 1 visit every 3 years.

Except for the Baby Lock Jubilant, all of my sewing machines are either vintage Singer or made by Janome. My goal is to have all of the modern machines made by Janome. Why? It will make CraftLAB much simpler if the machines can all use the same feet/accessories.

Good things come to those who wait

January 31, 2026

My new sewing machine WITH a stitch regulator is due to arrive mid-week. Cue the happy dance music!

This time last year, my sewing machine dealer strongly advised that I move on picking up a new machine before price increases due to tariffs went into effect. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a possibility as I’d needed to buy a replacement vehicle at the time. Over the next several months, I watched prices keep increasing with lackluster sales promotions. Dealers became even more selective on which machines they’d accept on a trade-in – if they even accepted trade-ins. I kept saving money and waited to see if a used machine came on the market or if prices return to reality. Neither happened.

I practiced FMQ on my Janome 8900. (I’ve gotten pretty good at variations of a loopy meander plus a boxy meander). I took a longarm quilting fundamentals class at a local quilt shop. This helped me realize 3 things: (1) I prefer to FMQ sitting down, (2) a stitch regulator is a game changer for me and (3) I’d still continue to send larger items out to a longarm quilter. Scheduling time to use the longarm has been a hassle due to limited availability of time slots. We’re limited to hand guided only – no computerized E2E for folks who rent time on the machines.

So when a substack article writer mentioned how his dad had negotiated a great deal on the sister version of my machine of choice, I reached out. An Elna 782 with the ASR for the same price my local Janome dealer was selling the 9480 without the ASR in December 2024. DEAL! They are the exact same machine – just a different color scheme and badging on the outside.

I’m supporting a family-owned business and got what I wanted at a really fair price.

I‘m good.

I’ll post pics once Ellie arrives, gets unboxed and set-up.