epp to go kit

baby cuddles and a quilt read - perfect

for a few weeks i have been closely studying the new book quilting on the go by jessica alexandrakis. and i do mean studying it. this is a book chock full of information that has to be digested carefully and slowly. at least for me. it's a brand new technique, this english paper piecing, so it's requiring a lot of brain wiring to get started.

epp appeals to me because: 1) it's portable, 2) it's handsewing. i like the idea of a long-term project that i can work on slowly, in bits and pieces, over time and that can be taken all over the place with me. this means when i'm at the park with the kids, at practices, on an airplane, in the car. whatever. i can quilt! and i can make an entire quilt by hand. that is so cool! who does that anymore? apparently the epp crowd does.

photo sidetrack - is she cute or what?

this new technique also required a few new supplies like a travel sewing kit so i can take my epp anywhere. jessica recommends a case small enough to slip in your purse or bag, but i found something else i'm going to try out first.

a few weeks ago, while rummaging in some boxes still not unpacked since we recarpeted last january, i spied my ancient "cropper hopper" scrapbook box. it was once upon a time used to carry scrapbook supplies around to classes or crops. i can't even remember the last time i scrapbooked anywhere but my own home. so i emptied all the pens and few tools out to make room for my epp kit. it's approximately 9"x11"x3". and it holds a ton of gear! i also like that it has that nice flat surface for me to work on.

this is the top side. it has some handy little dividers that i can move around to accommodate supplies. so far, i've got quilting pins, some bobbins, needles, a smaller case that holds tiny parts more securely, paper clips, thread assortment, marking tools, snips.

the little case has some filled bobbins and a few thimbles in it. there are needles tucked under the case in this compartment.

on the back side is a shallow compartment that was meant to hold scrapbook paper or pages. i've put my book and a mini cutting mat with rulers in it. only problem is the cutting mat is about 5/8" too long to fit, so i'm considering cutting it down to fit the box. or i might just put all my piecing templates in the back instead. undecided.

i have this huge cone of thread that i've decided i do not like machine sewing with that i'm going to use for basting thread. but the darn bottom is too thick for the box. so i'm going to wind it up on all these extra bobbins from my singer days.

i haven't actually tried taking the kit anywhere yet, so i'm sure there will be some adjustments made to content. but for now, i'm ready to roll with the epp.