EPP Needles

Let’s talk about my favorite needle for EPP, ok?

I love the Tulip Milliners size 10 by @hiroshima_needle.

They run about $8.00-10.00 for 6 needles.

Many say they bend... they are not wrong, however it is because of how you hold it, and that just means it fits your hand.
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Why are they better than other size 10 needles?

Milliners come in sizes 1-10, with 1 being larger and 10 being finer.

Tulip uses an electrodeposition coating.

What is electrodeposition coating? Here is their description:

Electrodeposition coating is a process of forming a coating film by dipping an object in a bath filled with water-soluble paint and then passing an electric current through the coated object.

Features of electrodeposition coating

1) Produces a smooth and even coating film with excellent surface quality.
2) Achieves uniform coating even on irregularly shaped surfaces, due to the high throwing power of electrodeposition paint.
3) No sagging or cracking of the coating film occurs.

They polish the needles lengthwise minimizing contact surface with the fabric

I have found that the Tulip brand are thinner/sharper than any other brand I have tried (I have tried a lot!) Once you try one, all other needles feel like you are trying to push nails through thread!

They make a larger eye size 10 but I haven’t found them anywhere so I highly recommend a table top needle threader like this one by @cloverusa

More tips and tricks will be shared in my Take &Teach classes at International Quilt Market Nov 3-6. The classes are just $10.00 when you register, so be sure to ask about them.



                                                                                                                                                         

Kwik Sparklers Medallion

                     
                    Kwik Sparklers Medallion 


                           

One of the most amazing things about this EPP (English Paper Piecing) pattern is how many different ways it can be configured. This layout and quilt has been in my head since the conception of this design.

At that time I saw it in Navy Blue with a White Medallion but all that changed when Alison Glass shared the fabrics for her Kaleidoscope line with me back in February. Her Kaleidoscope line is a woven shot cotton and feels fabulous. I decided to make the miniature version in the Navy.  She sent me some advance yardage (this color is called Beetle) so I could make it for the launch of my pattern. Like most things, this quilt was put on the back burner when it was crunch time so I didn't get it made till last month. I was still planning on using white for the medallion but when I started looking at it the Lime Insignia was begging to be used.  

Quilting is not my favorite part by any means and whenever possible I let one of my longarm friends make the magic happen because I mostly just do straight lines. I could just imagine this done in graffiti quilting with green thread but never imagined that Karlee Porter, author of Graffiti Quilting, would have the time to do it for me before market.  Karlee and I are friends on Instagram and had recently discussed a new project she is working on (more on that later) so I took a shot in the dark and amazingly, she worked me in! It is more breathtaking than I could have ever imagined and she used Sulky 40wt Rayon1835 peapod green.  The thread just Sparkles!!!!

Alison Glass fabrics are available from Andover Fabrics and if you can not find them locally they are available at alisonglass.com
Karlee's book Graffiti Quilting volume 2 is available on Amazon
Sulky Threads are available in most quilt shops