What’s new at Stash Books?
Tacha Bruecher‘s latest, that’s what. Hexa-Go-Go has arrived and is worthy of both boots and a wiggle dress. A deft selection of 16 new English Paper Piecing patterns (EPP) incorporating rosettes, stars, diamonds, blocks and freeform shapes … all originating from that six-sided sweetheart – the hexagon.
Handwork is not hard work
My own hand sewing skills haven’t been exercised in awhile. Though I enjoy the meditative nature of hand sewing, it takes a bit of inspiration and ramping up to get me into a project. Encouragement, fortunately, comes early in the Foreward of this book: “Learn how forgiving hexagons are and how you don’t need to make an entire Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt to be a hexagon quilter.”
Case in point: The Rosette Needle Book.
This project uses only 7 hexagons, so it’s a good one to warm up with if you’re rusty with EPP (like me), a new stitcher, or if you are curious about hand sewing. A pocketable project that will organize my needles and pins? Sweet.
Shifting into Modern
I devoured the examples and ideas Bruecher shares in the Introduction in updating the uses and palettes for this centuries-old technique. She proclaims herself as “being in general a fairly impatient type” and is generous in sharing her own tips in time saving and troubleshooting. A number of especially helpful pages is dedicated to “making your project modern,” were easy to read and absorb.
Take it on the Go-Go
Bring It.
My Bernina machine will never be used while I wait inside my car; when I’m in meetings or conferences. It will not accompany me to a park to relax in front of a lake full of ducks and geese. (Though the image IS hilarious – complete with machine at picnic table and impossibly long orange extension cord trailing over grassy hills to some distant outlet – it’s just not gonna happen.)
EPP projects are “quilting’s answer to knitting,” regarding ease and convenience of tucking scraps and a few simple tools into a bag or pack. Bruecher throws down a Go Faster Box Bag pattern so you can incorporate hexagons into the bag’s design, then use that for any ensuing paper piecing projects. Helpful. Clever.
I can feel myself gravitating toward more EPP adventures in just making the needle book and box bag. Perhaps those 2 finished pieces will prepare me to create the Chevron Picnic Quilt…while I’m watching the ducks and geese at Green Lake.
Hand sewing is heart-work, not hard work.
Hexa-Go-Go Giveaway
One lucky person will receive a free copy of Hexa-Go-Go. To enter, simply leave a comment here about where you take, or would like to take, your English Paper Piecing project. Would you take it on a plane? To the pool? Or summer school?
For a second entry, log in to your Amazon.com account and “like” this title. Come back here and leave a comment saying you did so. Our winner will be randomly selected from the comments here on this post, contacted via email, and we’ll update this post with the winners’ name. Deadline to enter is Monday, June 20, 2012. Good luck to all!
6/20/12 UPDATE: Deborah is our winner – congratulations!
I would take this English Piecing Project with me while I am camping in the Smoky Mountains at the Cade’s Cave Campground. There isn’t any electricity so this is the perfect project.. Thank you for the giveaway!
I LIKED your English Piecing Book on Amazon.
I’d bring it to work for break time, and then to the kids school for when I’m waiting to pick them up. I love handwork!
i’d take it to playgrounds – while my kids are playing, it would give me something to pass the time.
i liked it on amazon!
I take it with me on summer road trips. My husband insists on driving so I EPP to pass time on the road.
Would take my sewing to my doctor appointments and camping all summer.
I liked it on Amazon.
I’d get out of the sewing room and move to the porch to enjoy some fresh breezes.
I like it on Amazon.
I have never paper pieced before, but I really like hexagons so maybe I’ll give it a go-go if I win
I would take my EPP project camping with my hubby this summer! I also take EPP whille
waiting on appointments. This book would be great to win!!!
I would take my EPP project when we go camping, and while waiting on appointments. This book would be great to win!!!
at my age, going is somewhat limited, but i take handwork to the doctor’s, and whereever else i expect to wait awhile. it’s always a great conversation piece!
i’ve been over to amazon and ‘liked’ this book! it’s not a bad price, if i don’t win this copy! thanx for the chance to do so
I’d take it with me when picking my son up from school instead of my knitting; the kids love the fact that I do handwork while waiting
I’ve liked it on Amazon.
would love to win thanks for the giveaway
My friend Phoebe would like to take her hexies to Africa…
I “liked” the book on Amazon. Thanks for the giveaway.
I take to my working place
I would take my EPP project to my son;s tennis and orchestra lessons this summer!
I would take it anywhere I usually have to wait–doctor’s office, in the car on road trips, etc.
I liked the book on Amazon.
I “liked” this book on Amazon.com. Thanks for the giveaway.
I take my hexies to work with me. During the summer I love to sit out on my deck and bang a few off. Thanks for the giveaway – would love to win!
I sew hexagons while riding in the car and while watching TV. Looks like a great new book.
I like hexagons and EPP. I do! I like them, Tacha-you-are! And I would eat sew them in a boat,and I would sew them with a goat, and I would sew them in the rain, and in the dark and on a train. And in a car and in in a tree. They are so good, so good, you see! So I will sew them in a box, and I will sew them with a fox. And I will sew them in a house, And I will sew them with a mouse,And I will sew them here and there. I will sew them ANYWHERE! I do so like Hexagons and EPP!, Thank you, Thank you, Tacha-you-are!
(adapted from Dr Seuss Green Eggs and Ham) by an avid hexaculturalist.
I’d take my project on trip to visit Family in Kansas! Crocheted last trip…this this would be a great & fun project to work on this time!
Thanks for chance to win such a coool book!
Also clicked Like on Amazon.com (tho is under husband’s acct…David)
Thanks for second chance to win!!
I would take my EPP to my kids soccer games. And the park. Anywhere really!
My friends in Australia LOVE hexagons…so I would take the book and supplies on the 30 hour trip to Australia and have a ton of fun with my friends drooling over this book. I’d get a great head start doing these on the travel! Love the Chevron Picnic Quilt. I’m going to Amazon to “like” the book for a second chance at winning. Thank you!
Liked on Amazon and my Facebook page! So glad I receive your emails about these new articles and opportunities!
I would take EPP with me to bed while I watch the news before bed. With 2 very small kids, I don’t have much free time or sewing time right now. But that’s ok, they are only small once.
I love this book. If I don’t win, I’m buying it next week. It looks great!
I liked the book on Amazon
I like taking hand piecing to force myself to stop and relax outside at a park, or on my deck. I always have a project bag ready to go just in case I’m waiting at the doctor’s office or in the car for a few minutes to get some creative time in. I also sometimes just go to bed early so I can sew for awhile.
I Liked the book on Amazon and added it to my wish list. I love wish lists!
I would take EPP projects with me EVERYWHERE! Well maybe not everywhere but I’d take it with me most places – I think it’s the best thing about small hand sewing projects. I haven’t done any yet but would love to, it would make the best (& most fun) use of waiting times & other instances where I’m on the go but could be crafting at the same time. Thanks for the giveaway.
I signed into my Amazon account & liked this fab book. Thanks again.
I’d bring them to the park and pool.
I would bring them on long car rides and to the boys activities when I’m waiting.
I liked the book on Amazon.
I liked the book on Amazon.
I like taking my hexies to guild meetings with me. It really surprises me how much I can get done.
I would bring them with me in the car, the way I used to bring my knitting before arthritis made me put away my needles. An on-the-go project is so satisfying–it’s amazing how quickly things come together.
I liked it on Amazon–and like it in real life.
I liked it on Amazon…..and I never even realized this was an option until just now!
I’d start at work and finish on my soon to come trip away
Waiting rooms are a great place to work on projects like these!
I ‘liked’ it on Amazon.
I’d like learned more about EPP. I think this book will be a great theacher.
b.zanninelli@gmail.com
I am so excited by this book!!!!!!!!!!!!1 I just love english paper piecing, it is currently my obsession and I am in themiddle of making a bag out of them. it goes where I go, and is ideal to take when visiting friends for a chat or while my husband is driving. However, in my dreams I would take it to Italy. We went to Italy on honeymoon and I would love to go back. Thank you for a wonderful giveaway.
I have been on to Amazon.co.uk and liked it and also added it to my wish list.
I would take it Camping!
This would be a new skill for me – it looks like sew much fun.
I liked this book on Amazon
I am starting to fall in extreme like with hexxies I have to admit. I think I would have a few in a little baggie in my purse at all times and pull them out whenever I have a few minutes. I suppose, in the interest of lawfulness, it wouldn’t be a good idea to work on them at stop lights?
Just popped over to Amazon and clicked the ‘like’ button too!
Where to take my English Paper Piecing project?
Out of city, for sure!
To the village, closer to nature.
Kukliki
I would (and have!) taken a sewing project on the plane.
I Liked this book on Amazon!
I would take it to my local quilt shop every Friday this summer, where lots of lovely ladies gather to work on quilts. I am fortunate to be working 4 10 hour days this summer with those wonderful Fridays off!
I would take my project to the park while my kids play! Thanks
I was in one of Tacha’s workshops at the FQ retreat and I’m hooked. I’ll be taking my projects to the park while the children play and camping later in the summer – thanks for the giveaway
I’ve liked on the Amazon page – thanks
I would take my EPP to the lake.
If you browse my blog you will see that I have been in Hexagon madness! I do them on the train, the subway, and the bus on the way to and from work. I am going to have to be checked into the psychiatric ward for being a Hexamaniac or having Hexagon fever! I got started on it when doing the Craftsy block of the month. I became addicted and the reason is exactly what you said: I can do it here or there, I can do it anywhere!!! I am making a queen size quilt with hexagon flowers appliqued to a background fabric. I’m already thinking about what I will do next so I don’t have a daily commute without English paper piecing!
I went to Amazon and liked it! And I added it to my wishlist
I need this book!!!!
I just liked this title on Amazon – looks incredible and might reduce my hexagon fears! Thanks for the chance!
lwghosts at yahoo dot com
Unfortunately, I know just where I’d take it – to the hospital next month when my love has surgery. With a four to five day stay in the hospital, I’ll need to be occupied! On a less scary note, I’d take it on a plane. But not a car…motion sickness.
Thanks for the chance.
lwghosts at yahoo dot com
I would for sure take it to a Detroit Tigers game! thanks!
I would take it on long car rides, when in waiting rooms like doctors offices and to sit in my recliner to watch a movie in my own living room.
Well since I do take my machine to the lake and sew, I would be delighted to take some EPP projects for handwork when Mollie gets tired and needs a rest. She is getting older but she is still a dandy. Thanks for the chance to win
I “liked” this awesome book on Amazon. Thanks again for a chance to win.
I would take this hexie project with me to my mother’s old house when we overnight. My grandnieces call it “the house without a tv”. Thanks for the chance. Glad your blog site is working again.
I love the hexagons! I would take this on the train to and from work, or camping, or anywhere when I am riding in the car.
I have liked this on Amazon!
English piecing would go camping with me!!
I’d take it to the beaches of Lake Michigan when I go next month!
I would (and have) take it anywhere. Just about the finish a Grandmother’s Flower Garden started in 1982…
I would take it with me to the hospital when visiting one of my close friends who is going through chemo. I was thinking of digging into my knitting stash so I have something to do but I’ve been on a big quilting binge lately and this would be perfect!
I would take mine EVERYWHERE. Thanks for the chance to win
I liked the book on Amazon
I like take this on the plane while flying to Taiwan. It’s a 13 hours flight. I absolutely need it!
I would take it while I wait at doctor’s appointments for my son, or any other place I need to sit and wait for awhile. Thanks for the chance to win!
I “liked” it on Amazon, thanks again!
I would take my sewing everywhere! Especially to work for times when it’s slow.
And I “liked” the book on Amazon. if you choose me, I won’t have to order it, yay!
I love to take some hand-work along in my purse so that when I get to my destination early….(yes, that does happen)… I can sit & stitch in my cool air-conditioned car!.
Thanks for the chance to win!
I’d take them to my guild meetings! Thanks for the chance!
I’d take them with me on my travels. I love to visit new places, but I’m always sad to leave my sewing machine behind
Ohhhhh, these are gorgeous! I love the chevron quilt on the wall!!!
I took Tacha’s class at FQ retreat and i’m hooked, I took them to my son’s speech therapist appointment and sat stitching, would take them on holiday too
I liked it on Amazon
EPP sewing is great for planes,trains or automobiles.. Love the look of this book..
I would take my project out to my deck and sit and stitch while I listen to the frogs sing me a lullaby. We have a large fish pond.
I’d take it to the seaside – I could sit on the sand and sew/watch the sea whilst Archie dug a hole under my feet (he does this if you stay still for too long on the beach – I think it’s a hint to get moving!).
I usually make hexagons while travelling on the boat to Evia Island, Greece, where we have our summer house. Thanks for the chance to win!
Myrto
Oh I just made my first hexies this week and I LOVE them. I would take this to cook-outs to work on while we’re all just relaxing in the sun!
I would take it to Ireland! I’m off next week!
OMG that last quilt is amazing!! I would take it with me on my hols or just keep it company at home when it’s too hot to turn the machine on. Fab giveaway!
Im taking my EPP project to Europe. I leave tomorrow.
I added the book to my wish list. I couldn’t figure out how to “like” it on my phone.
I would take mine to baseball practices ad games (with 3 boys playing it’s the perfect time to get some going!). Thaks for the chance! Smiles~Beth
beth.dodd at att.net
I would take it with me on the beach in Cornwall, to take my mind of the fact that it is not really that warm (that is assuming that the sun ever comes out again) whilst drinking a cup of tea from the thermos.
I’ve liked this title on Amazon (off to find out now if it’s made it to the UK site yet)
I wanted to take my paper piecing on the plane with me to Germany but I was afraid security would take it away so I played safe and put it in my carry on luggage.
I would most likely do hexa go go in front of the tv or riding with my hubby on a trip.
Apart from the obvious answer like ‘everywhere’, I will taking mine to Sydney on my little vacation soon!
I’d take mine with me on the road next month. Love that hexes seem so portable!
I would take EPP on our camping trip to explore Oregon this summer. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d take EPP when my teenaged daughter needs to run errands in town! She doesn’t have her driver’s license yet so I end up taking her, and sometimes I’d just rather stay in the car and read (or stitch!) while she is fussing around in the stores. Thank you for the giveaway.
This summer I would definitely take EPP to the beach while the kids did swimming lessons. During the school year, it would be going to music lessons, dance lessons, and the musical rehearsals twice a week…it’s going to be a busy school year.
i would love to take it on the plane to Australia, however are you allowed to take needles on planes these days??
i liked this book on amazon!
Liked your book on Amazon.
I spend 6 months of the year on a small sailboat and need small projects to take along. These would be perfect. Hope I win!
I take my mine everywhere. My favorite place is too much classroom during testing time, when I sit with kids while they read a passage 3 times to themselves and then ask them questions. Sometimes the waiting can take up to 10 minutes or more. It is great, because I am right there with them and I can still watch every one else.
Like it on amazon.
I almost forgot…but I did it. I went to my account at Amazon and Liked the book =D
I love to have handwork with me – I would take hexies to FL next month! Thanks
I liked your book on my Amazon account. Thanks again!
at my last quilt retreat one of the ladies was working on a hexie quilt, it had been so many places ….she had taken to places like her dad’s heart surgery, winter holidays, fishing…i have thought that i should start a project like that to take with me…the book would help
I would take my stitching with me as I jet around the country in my job as a flight attendant. Sitting by the Charles River in Boston watching the crewing, hanging out at the Ferry Terminal Building in San Francisco. Sitting on Siesta Beach in Sarasota, FL….
I would take my EPP project in the car on our upcoming vacation. I’d also keep it handy in the den so I can sew and be with my hubby watching the tube.
Why, yes, I’d sew them on a plane. Or on a train.
I’d sew them in a car. Or in a bar.
I’d sew them day and night. I love paper-piecing – all right?!
Eep! I
I’d take my hand sewing to the school while waiting to pick up the kiddos, I do my hand binding there as well
I also like to hand sew while watching a movie with my husband in the evenings. With four kids in the house, time to relax together is rare 
I’d take my project to the pool and on a camping trip we have planned later in the summer.
I’d take it to work on in the car and visiting relatives. Thanks for the giveaway!
Fingers Crossed!!
I would love to take this to Scotland but probably more likely to the library while my grandson is at the summer reading program. Hope I am not to late.
I’d just take it outside in the sun, I love quilting and hand sewing close to home so I have access to everything! Thank you for the giveaway.
I’d take it with me to work so I have something to do when I sit outside on my lunch break.
I’ve also liked it on amazon
I love the ideas shown here! I would take my hexie project on the “Seabus” I take to work. I’m working on a cross-stitch now, which will eventually be going into a quilt … Thank you for the giveaway!
I’ve liked the book on Amazon.com! Thank you!
Fantastic book! I take my EPP with me when the kids are at athletics, keeps me occupied for the two hours they are busy running about!
I take paper piecing to work. But don’t tell the boss that.
I would take it to Dr. appointments. I have them quite often between me and my children.
I “liked” the book on Amazon. Thanks for the giveaway!
I “liked” the book on Amazon.
I take my EPP projects to camp, on car trips (ummm…not while I’m driving mind you), and anything long w/ ok lighting, like those parent group meetings at my kid’s school.
I ‘like’ this on Amazon!
My youngest daughter attends college 6 hours away from our home. So, I always take my hand quilting projects with me on those rides. They are a life saver.