Wednesday 1 August 2012

Practically Paper Piecing Blog Hop – Starts today!


Welcome to the first stop on the Practically Paper Piecing Blog Hop (henceforth referred to as the PPP blog hop, to save me typing and also so I can use the word “henceforth”).

-Giveaway now closed-

This is going to be a fabulous month dedicated to inspiring you with paper pieced projects! The goal is to show a whole bunch of different ideas of things to do with paper pieced blocks. Because let’s be honest, making an entirely paper pieced quilt isn’t everyone’s cup of tea! Sometimes it’s fun just to make one block. Hopefully you’ll also come across some fab paper pieced patterns you might not have tried before.

Do you need more convincing to join along? One word. Giveaways. Really, need I say more? Okay I will. There will be giveaways happening throughout the blog hop, plus a bunch of goodies at the end of the month – where it’ll be your turn to show your paper pieced project in a linky party.  So get inspired and get making! :)

So it all sounds like fun right? Then let’s get started! I have a small project to kick off the blog hop! A zip pouch! Of course it means you might need to paper piece on a smaller scale, but everyone loves a challenge right?!

Saving for a rainy day
This project is made with scraps! Yay scraps! That’s a great thing about paper piecing – scraps are very handy (okay so you may make as many scraps as you use – but hey, more paper piecing! Woo!).

So details:

Pattern is the umbrella block which you can find here. The pattern has three versions of brollies. Mine is the no point version for simplicity’s sake, and also scaled down to half the size, making it 4”. Without the points, it was quite easy to put together.

Fabric is Half Moon Modern by Moda. Do you love it or what? I do. I wish I had more. Like oodles more. The inside of the pouch is A Happy Rainy Day by Newcastle fabrics. I picked this little FQ up from Wrapped in Fabric. Suited my theme perfectly!


Umbrella Zip pouch inside

Zip pouch tutorial – I started doing one to share with you but seriously, why reinvent the wheel? Especially when Fiona of Finding Fifth has a much clearer tutorial than I could have hoped to do! Lots of great pictures and clear instructions. Okay full disclosure: my zip pouch came out squished and not so pretty when I tried it “my” way and had to be unpicked. All of it. But it did come out pretty and bright and happy when I did it Fiona’s way. Seriously – trust the tutorial!

So for this little project – all you need is a paper pieced block and some strippy scraps. (Not stripper scraps – God forbid what they might look like). My scraps are off cuts from a charm pack. I’m so not an improv girl but there was something quite liberating about just sewing them all together without cutting perfectly! The back is more of the same, but without the brolly.

Umbrella for blog hop

I pieced until I had two rectangles measuring 7 x 5 (had to add a little extra at the bottom)then cut the lining pieces to the same size. Mine is a smaller zip pouch than the tutorial, but all the instructions on how to put it together work the same. The putting-it-together part – I followed Fiona’s tutorial – from “Zipper Preparation” on . I chose not to add a pocket, or batting to this little pouch but that’s just my personal preference.

Umbrella zip pouch supplies

Now here’s a tip I learned the hard way. Make sure your zipper is SMALLER than the pouch pieces. If it’s the same size or bigger, it is really hard to sew the side seams and keep your buffers intact (those cute little aqua tab thingies at the ends of the zip). As in unpick-it-and-make-it-again hard. Been there, done that, littered the house with unpicked thread.

Umbrella zip pouch open

It really is an easy and relatively quick project if you follow directions well hehe. Don’t be scared of the zippers – they really aren’t hard to put in. It was probably harder working on that embroidery – but then I’m really not much on hand sewing! Winking smile

So there you have it. A little pouch featuring some paper piecing. And of course any money that gets saved in there will immediately go to buying more fabric. Because every rainy day needs fabric.

Umbrella zip pouch

So where to next on the PPP blog hop?  Kate at Kate Quilts is our stop tomorrow for another fun paper pieced project! Followed by Diane from From Blank Pages and Lara from LuellaBella.

You can find the full schedule of who’s on where and when (but not what – that’s a surprise!) here.

There's also a Pinterest board that I'll add the blog hop projects too, and we now have a Flickr group! Come and join so I'm not talking to myself. I do enough of that as it is. Feel free to add your projects there! If you Flickr, but don't blog, you can also use your Flickr pic to enter the Linky party at the end of the month ;)

And just to start this blog hop right – let’s have a giveaway! Because we all love giveaways and a chance at free fabric! Up for grabs I have a little charm pack of Oh Deer by Momo which I picked up from Jane of Need It Want It Quilt (she also happens to be a blog hopper!).

oh deer cp

You’re lucky this is on offer. It nearly went into my stash. It's the second time I've had to part with it but I managed, only just. Charm packs are great for paper piecing as you can get lots of different prints to use! And check out these birdies. Soooo cute!

Oh deer fabrics

So how do you enter this giveaway? Too easy. Just leave a comment on this post before 8pm Wednesday 8th August (Aussie time). Everyone welcome – readers, blog hoppers, Aussies, International. If you’ve read this far and can type a comment, you can enter. Only one entry per person mind you .Winking smile

Please make sure you have an email address connected with your profile that I can contact you on if you’re the lucky winner, or leave it in your comment.  Winner will be chosen via random.org so everyone has a chance! Get those lucky pants on!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you get very inspired by the rest of the blog hoppers! Don’t forget to come back here for a linky party on the 29th August (Aussie time, that’s a day earlier for most of you!) and show off your paper pieced projects!
PPP Blog hop button

85 comments:

  1. I have been looking forward to this. Now back to re-read to find out what size zip I need and I might just have to give this a go later today or tomorrow :o)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh what a cute charm pack, would love to win!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Have a bag in progress at the moment - good reminder about being careful with the zip.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I almost bought Ikea fabric yesterday to make a nappy wallet but left it behind. And it looked so much like this line!! I love your pouch! Although it's really making me want to get Half Moon Modern *sigh*

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your pouch is awesome! The umbrellas are too cute (and I'm going to start calling the brolly's!) and I love the scrappy look! And the embroidery is such a perfect embellishment! Great start to this fun hop!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the whole idea of your project - thanks for sharing. I really love the Oh Deer fabric line, so I am thrilled to have a chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love this line, so adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the little pouch Kristy. And the themed fabric is perfect. This would fit perfectly into my handbag....

    ReplyDelete
  9. gorgeous little purse kristy :) its ur fault i am loving paper piecing hehe

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a cute little purse. Thanks for the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is a really cute purse....*ponders adding yet another project to the to do list*

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ooooh, eeeeee! What a darling pouch! But my computer's in the shop, and my husband's doesn't have a printer. Hmmm...might have to move my printer to his machine, install the driver, etc. So worth it, tho, as that brolly is darling!

    Thanks for organizing/hosting this hop. It's a brilliant idea to help us figure out how to put our orphaned blocks to use.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your zip pouch is really cute! I'll be sure to check out that tutorial -- I've made a couple zip pouches with mixed results so I may need a refresher. Thanks for offering the lovely fabrics as a giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  14. The pouch is fab! Looking forward to a great month of paper piecing (or PP!) and hosting on the 9th!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a cute pouch. You have inspired me to try paper piecing for the first time.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I recently managed to paper piece a circle of geese block! It was fun but I can see myself getting tired out before finishing an entire quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a gorgeous charm pack, and I love your cute pouch!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love your zip tip! Thanks!!

    laurenbarge @ bigpond . com

    ReplyDelete
  19. What fun! I'm so excited to start!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh what a cute little pouch. I love your umbrellas, definitely on my to do list!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I do love your umbrellas, so cute! And a giveaway to boot - lucky us!

    ReplyDelete
  22. GORGEOUS! Always good to start a hop on a high note;-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. That pouch is so freakin cute. You are such a talented designer! Go girl! x

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is a great post! I'm definitely going to try the umbrella pattern and thanks for the tip about the zips, mine never look right!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great start to the hop, your pouch is lovely, well worth the effort! And a giveaway too, can see why you might have been tempted to hold on to that fabric :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love your little purse and I'm excited about this blog hop. Thanks for a chance at your wonderful giveaway too.

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a great little purse! Thank you for the zip tips!
    Great charm pack! I would love to win!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Lovely little zippie, love to PP, sounds like a fun hop.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am sew excited that today is the 1st! I have been patiently waiting for this blog hop to start.
    I love the look of PP blocks - but yes always wondered what to do with them. So now I have the motivation on how to use my blocks - I might just have to make a start!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hurray -I have found your blog and love paper piecing so am very excited about this blog hop. I made my first pouch a couple of weeks ago and it took me HOURS - lol. Will check out this tutorial and see if it is simpler. Love the brolly - something we need here in rainy Wales - thanks xx

    ReplyDelete
  31. That happy umbrella print you used for lining is just adorable!

    Thank you for the sweet giveaway :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love your pouch and am looking forward to seeing all of the projects during the hop!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I can certainly understand why you wouldn't want to give this fabric pack away! Thanks for sharing it!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Saving for a rainy day and with your coins I can buy your umbrella pattern for only $2.95 and have change! So I am off to your shop on Craftsy. Keep up the embroidery too!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Well done on getting "henceforth" into a post! I don't use that word enough, though I do use it often in french (dorénavant in case you're interested!)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Very cute charm pack. Have tons of fun with the blog hop! x

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love blog hopping and can't wait to view tomorrow's project. I have a few PP blocks that bave been sitting on the shelf for a while now waiting to be transformed! Thanks for the giveaway and pulling this event together, Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Adorable umbrella pouch. I'm going to make one for my little sister who lives in Norway's rainiest city. I kind of owe her a birthday gift...

    ReplyDelete
  39. OMG...what a great project to make with my new umbrella pattern! My nieces are going to love this. I think I need one too. I can't wait to see what other's are making. And who doesn't love charms....I'm feeling lucky!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Great idea - can't wait till first project.

    ReplyDelete
  41. That is such a super cute pouch. Thanks for the tutorial and for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Very cute block. Thanks for the chance to win too.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love the purse! I so need one of those (by one I mean the one in the picture) Thanks for the chance to win. It'll be fun seeing all those awesome projects =D

    ReplyDelete
  44. I adore those fabrics! Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win :-)

    ReplyDelete
  45. Looking forward to what the month will bring :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. This sounds like a great blogh hop...hope I can complete SOMETHING!!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Am going to be following this hop. Love the purse and helpful links

    ReplyDelete
  48. Love your zipper pouch, I love this Hop. Thanks for the chance to win something. I will someday. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  49. I am new to paper piecing and just love what I see on your blog! awolk at rogers.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Love tp paper piece. Linda gerig

    ReplyDelete
  51. Love your pouch! I'm a new follower, and I can't wait to see the rest of this hop!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Oh dear oh deer! Love that fabric, it's a must have! Looking forward to the blog ,
    Heather x

    ReplyDelete
  53. I'm so glad I found your blog (and the hop!). I've been curious about paper piecing and this will be a great intro.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I think Oh Deer is so cute and different ! Thanks for the chance to win some and for the paper piecing tips !

    ReplyDelete
  55. this looks like so much fun. good job organising!

    ReplyDelete
  56. So glad I found you and the blog hop! I paper pieced a block for the first time last week, and then again over the weekend. It is such fun! And now I can make Practical Projects with them! Thank you for the chance to win the very cute charm squares!

    ReplyDelete
  57. I paper piece hexagons, never seen the umbrella :) It looks so cool I feel like making half a dozen right away. Hope I win the charm pack, will make 6 more !!

    Leena

    ReplyDelete
  58. Love your cute little zipper purse! Looking forward to a fun month.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi Kristy . I've just started paper piecing and would love to win the charm pack as I noticed you only need really small bits of fabric and lots of variety!
    Thank you !

    ReplyDelete
  60. I might finally try PP, you are so inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  61. I love the little umbrella pouch. I am going to pin and and hope to come back to it later to make my own version. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  62. Such a darling zip bag! Thanks for the tute and the giveaway!

    Deborah
    homemakerhoney @gmail .com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I love your paper pieced pouch!:)
    andri_chama(at)yahoo(dot)con

    ReplyDelete
  64. I love your paper pieced pouch!:)
    andri_chama(at)yahoo(dot)con

    ReplyDelete
  65. Love the pouch tutorial and the give away. Thank-you Becky
    derry04@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Love your pouch and the umbrella pattern!! Keep your designs coming!!

    sue
    legato1958@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. What a cute pouch! I think that was a fabulous use of a paper pieced block.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I just LOVE your PP!! I would LOVE a chance to win! Can't wait to see your next project!!

    ReplyDelete
  69. I love your pouch and the fabric. Thanks for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I just found your blog through the Paper Piecing Blog Hop. Love your big finish quilt for last month and the tip about needing a smaller zip than your pouch! Thanks for sharing and for a chance at your giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Just found out about this Hop and look forward to playing along thru the month. Thank you for your generosity.

    ReplyDelete
  72. This looks like fun. Also a huge thank you for the tip on zip size, putting in zips scares the life out of me and noone has given me that advice.
    ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

    ReplyDelete
  73. Your pouch is adorable - thanks for the tutorial (& for the chance to win this lovely charm pack).

    ReplyDelete
  74. love this - just have to pin it on my Pinterest wall (hope that's okay?). Also a quick 'hi' as I popped over from Plum & June's blog hop link up :)

    ReplyDelete
  75. I've never paper piecing. I really want to try my hand at it, maybe this hop will give me the inspiration to do so! I love your pouch! Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  76. I love paper piecing! And you hit the nail with this blog hop. I have lots of finished PP blocks and don't know what to sew with them.
    Susanne

    ReplyDelete
  77. I have been waiting for this blog hop to begin!!

    This year my goal is to do more paper piecing and to try making a zipper pouch.

    (I have never used the word - henceforth, but really want to!)

    ReplyDelete
  78. Popping over from plum and June. Looking forward to the hop. Thanks for sharing the zippered pouch.

    ReplyDelete
  79. What a great idea, love the colours in your brolly.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Very cute. I would love to make one of these. I especially like the embroidery!

    ReplyDelete
  81. Would love to win. What an amazing umbrella.

    leena

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I read each and every word! I'll do my best to reply to them either via email or here on the blog, when time permits!