Mermaid candy – starting a new EPP project

Yes, I realise that I only just started my La Passacaglia quilt, but I have a very special little extra English Paper Piecing project that I have been planning for some months, and I am finally ready to start piecing!

 

Creative Stash and Scrap Quilts

 

Candied Hexagons is the cover star for this compilation magazine – Creative Stash and Scrap Quilts. The pattern is written by Kerry Dear, and is designed for a quick sew, with 3 inch hexagons and large feature prints, as well as the opportunity for some fun fussy cutting along the way.

 

Mermaid Candy EPP Quilt - Cassandra Madge

 

Here is the main attraction – I left the price tag on for you so you could enjoy my little moment of triumph when I scooped up this “scrap bundle” from a local quilt shop last year – at least 11 prints of various sizes from the much sought after Mendocino range by Heather Ross. This is the original, not the reprint which is coming soon I believe. For the princely sum of $15, I had to find a project worthy of such special fabric – and Candied Hexagons with it’s range of sizes and shapes seemed to be the ideal match.

 

Mermaid Candy EPP Quilt - Cassandra Madge

 

I am choosing to paper piece this quilt, although it can also be machine or hand pieced. I am very comfortable with paper piecing, and it’s my relaxing “me-time”. Here are hopefully all the paper pieces I will need – diamonds, triangles and hexagons in various sizes and a couple of templates to make the job of cutting a bit easier. I’ll give you a hint though – I’m not rotary cutting the fussy cuts. Just as for La Passacaglia, I trace around the template in soft pencil, and then cut out using scissors. It makes this project more portable, and for a klutz like myself, safer.

 

Mermaid Candy EPP Quilt - Cassandra Madge

 

Enter the supporting cast – these are the main members of the crew, although there are some “extras” being added in that will be given credit as time goes on. I can’t take credit for the basic backbone of this, I was inspired by a quilt shop on Instagram, Stitch Supply Co and their weekly bundles of “Fat Quarter Fun“. The founder, adorable Ann, has an amazing eye for curating and mixing fabric collections, and bringing something new out of it. She added some Tula Pink and Cotton & Steel to Mendocino and I loved what I saw. I expanded her selection a bit, including the Dashwood Studios mustard print, second from top on the left, and I really have enjoyed the hunt for these saturated pink/fuschias, purples, and golds that I have gathered from many places all over the globe.

 

Mermaid Candy EPP Quilt - Cassandra Madge

 

How about the Cast pose for you? They make a rather powerful statement, but it’s all amazingly harmonious at the same time.

 

 

Mermaid Candy EPP Quilt - Cassandra Madge Mermaid Candy EPP Quilt - Cassandra Madge

 

Now, the all important value check. It’s a little mid-toned, but I have some dark solid magenta which is going in here and should add a strong anchoring note. It looks like it could still do with some lighter tones though – some more pale pinks or softer yellows. I will be sure to keep an eye on it as I start to put things together. One thing that Kerry, the pattern designer, recommends is stripe fabric to add to the motion of the pieced hexagons and star blocks – I will need to look further into that I think. But this is an awesome start.

 

Mermaid Candy EPP Quilt - Cassandra Madge

 

Yes, the red-carpet moment. Just one more shot, because this really is a beautiful pile of fabric. I have been patting it every chance I get, as each acquisition is added, subtracted, and moved around in the selection. I am getting so excited to start cutting this beauty up.

 

So, how many hexagon stitching projects is too many? Hopefully there is no upper limit, because there is a Smitten sewalong starting on Instagram that I just can’t seem to resist. I better get sewing!

 

 

 Happy Crafting - Cassie.

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5 Responses

  1. Janine

    This is going to be a stunning quilt when you’ve finished! I remember how happy you were to find that bundle of Mendcino 🙂 I look forward to seeing your progress on IG

  2. Anne

    Great fabrics.
    I look forward to following your progress.
    Did you say there was a smitten quilt along on instagram?
    Could you please send me the link?
    Happy stitching.

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