The December Challenge for Island Batik Ambassadors was to make a small project using English Paper Piecing (EPP). The Cosmic Rainbow pattern from Nancy Messuri turned into a lovely EPP Candle Mat.

Disclaimer – supplies to make this project were supplied by Island Batik, Aurifil, Hobbs and Schmetz. Read my disclosure policy here.

Cosmic Rainbow

I started a hexagon project with EPP Made Modern sticker templates from Sewforever Quilting by Becky Campbell. I loved the ease of stitching around re-useable templates! Alas, my hexagon project failed, but that is a story for another post.

I remembered seeing Becky talk about her collaboration on the Cosmic Rainbow quilt, so I quickly devised plan B. A few minutes later, and my digital download  of the Cosmic Rianbow pattern was confirmed. I printed the templates, selected fabrics in my favorite shades of blue, and I was soon stitching a new block.

The Cosmic Rainbow blocks finish at 12 inches…much more relaxing than one inch hexagons! I do want to come back to this pattern and make a full quilt, but the urgency of finishing before the holidays led me to downsize my quilting dreams. What could I make with just one block?

My EPP Candle Mat

Inspiration struck and I decided to make an EPP candle mat. I made the Cosmic Rainbow block as directed, using three Island Batik fabrics in shades of blue, Sprinkles for the white area and Dandelion for the black sections. I hand pieced the block using Aurifil 50wt #2600 – Dove.

To finish the block as an EPP Candle Mat, I cut Hobbs 80/20 batting and a backing piece of Dot-Sky to the same size and shape of my top. In order to turn the quilt and eliminate the need for binding, the batting has to be the top layer, with quilt and backing right sides together.

I kept the quilting simple, just straight lines following the black pieces with a basic star (asterisk) in the middle. I used Aurifil 50wt black thread and a Schmetz 80/12 Microtex needle for the quilting.

This will add a lovely touch to my coffee table during the winter months!

Island Batik Ambassadors

It has been a wonderful journey through 2021 with the variety of monthly challenges and the beautiful work from my fellow Ambassadors. Please visit their blogs and social media to see some fantastic English Paper Piecing!

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts

Jane Hauprich, Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting

Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese

Megan Best, Bestquilter

Gail Renna, Quilt Haven Threads

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

Mania Hatzioannidi, Mania for Quilts

Jennifer Fulton, Inquiring Quilter

Joanne Hart, Unicorn Harts

Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

Jennifer Eubank, Archipelago Quilting

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

Janet Yamamoto, Whispers of Yore

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

Elizabeth DeCroos, Epida Studio

Brianna Roberts, Sew Cute and Quirky

Michelle Roberts, Creative Blonde

Sally Manke, Sally Manke Fiber Artist

Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

Your Turn to Share!

Tell me, are you a fan of English Paper Piecing? Have you ever hand-pieced an entire quilt? I’m curious, please share your experience in the comments.