Quilt Canada Class with Libs Elliott

It's time to post more info about my adventure at Quilt Canada last week. I was able to get into 2 classes. The first class I took at Quilt Canada was with Libs Elliott to make an EPP (English Paper Piecing) project called Heartburst.

Libs taught us how to prep all the pieces that make up the design. It was a bit overwhelming at first since I have only ever used the EPP technique to make little hexies, and had joined the pieces with a whip stitch. Libs showed us how to use the flat back stitch, which was new to me.

Here is my work table with all the supplies I needed. I tried Aurifil 80 weight thread for the first time and really liked it for hand stitching.
I started working with the centre shapes in this pattern, but wow they were hard. I don't know why. Maybe because it was my first time with a complex EPP pattern? Or because they were long and skinny? 
Or maybe it was because I was tired from staying up too late the night before to watch the Raptors championship basketball game?!? Yah, that's probably it!

But guess what? 
My friend Christine, who I met at Quilt Canada a few years ago was there to help me out. It's uncanny how we randomly sign up for at least one class together at each Quilt Canada we attend. Here she is standing to the left of Libs. She's an expert in EPP, so when I was a little panicky about pieces not coming together and things not looking right, she was reassuring me and making gentle suggestions for improvement.

EPP pieces for Heartburst

I have no idea how these colours are going to come together. I couldn't visualize the design at all. I decided to use all Libs Elliott fabrics in this project, because it's a memory project of Quilt Canada. I really enjoyed  learning the technique once I got going.  I like making these shapes a lot more than the centre pieces. And I love my idea of fussy cutting the lips for the top of the heart. 
Love. Love. 
Watch for more progress on this in my Slow Sunday Stitching posts this summer. It will make a great take along project!