Wednesday, March 20, 2013

My Big Secret

You may have thought that making a baby was the biggest thing I did last year (and the reason for my insomnia and introspection), but that's only half the story. 

Today I'm happy to announce that I wrote a book:

It will be released on June 11, 2013, but it is available for pre-order from these retailers and hopefully at a quilt shop or book store near you!



It's no secret that I've been obsessed with English paper piecing for about 6 years now.. I started piecing a few 60 degree diamonds on a plane to Japan in '07 and I was hooked. 
 My book explains my method of EPP with step-by-step photos, tips, tricks and detailed instructions to make 10 projects.  It also has a collection of nearly 40 EPP pattern designs to spark your creativity, and (my favorite part of the book) 10 full pages of photo-copyable graph paper for you to plan out your next project. 


I am so excited to finally be able to share this all with you.  I hope you'll join me in my love for English paper piecing and quilting practically everywhere~
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46 comments:

  1. SelfsewnMarch 20, 2013 at 7:12 AM

    Yay it looks great Jess, liking the sound of the graph paper!
    Well done x

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    1. JessicaMarch 20, 2013 at 7:23 AM

      Thanks, Clare~
      Don't be shy about mentioning that you've got a quilt displayed in the book as well. Thanks for being a part of it with me!

      Delete
  2. LeslyMarch 20, 2013 at 7:23 AM

    Yay!!!!!! Congratulations!!!! Can't wait to see it!

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    1. JessicaMarch 20, 2013 at 7:29 AM

      Thanks, Lesly~
      You provided more than a little encouragement and support along the way, and shared your amazing diamond star quilt in the book as well. I love it when my friends are as obsessed with something as I am :)
      I'm looking forward to seeing it soon too! Hope my copy arrives in the next couple weeks, then I'll have more previews to share.

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    2. AmyMarch 26, 2013 at 1:54 PM

      I can't wait to see previews! I really want to get this book!

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    3. AmyMarch 26, 2013 at 1:54 PM

      I can't wait to see previews. I am so totally addicted to EPP. I can't wait to get the book!

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    4. AmyMarch 26, 2013 at 1:57 PM

      I can't wait to see previews! I really want to get this book!

      Delete
  3. deebrieseMarch 20, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    Wow Jessica: I am so excited congratulations. I will be ordering this book. I was inspired by you to try paper piecing.

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    1. JessicaMarch 20, 2013 at 8:25 AM

      Thanks Neicee~ Good luck with your English paper pieced projects. I'd love to see them!

      Delete
  4. BrendaMarch 20, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    congratulations. I'll look out for your book.

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  5. nellieMarch 20, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    Wow!!! Congrats!!! This the next quilt skill I want to learn and I love that your book focuses the "on-the-go" aspect since I am always looking for projects to keep in my bag. Headed to Amazon to pre-order now!

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  6. RuthMarch 20, 2013 at 9:55 AM

    Congratulations! You were the one who started me on this obsession, and now I can't wait to get your book!

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  7. Nifty QuiltsMarch 20, 2013 at 10:09 AM

    How exciting!!!! Congratulations!!!! I've been waiting to start a paper piecing project. Now I know why! Can't wait to purchase your book, and to recommend it to the Seattle quilt shops. You go girl!

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    1. JessicaMarch 20, 2013 at 10:41 AM

      Thanks Nifty~ I'd offer to send you scraps, but I know you've got them. (Let me know if you ever want to do another scrap swap..)
      Actually, this is a great co-project for string/strip and improv piecing. All those crumbs left from trimming up blocks make perfect tiny hexagons or other little EPP shapes.

      Delete
  8. Lucy | Charm About YouMarch 20, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    Congratulations!! That is fantastic and I WANT a copy! Can I get it in the uk? XxxXX

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    1. JessicaMarch 20, 2013 at 10:42 AM

      Yes, of course! Just search my name and the title at your favorite UK supplier's website and it should come up. May have a different cover, but the content is the same.

      Delete
  9. UnknownMarch 20, 2013 at 11:13 AM

    Congratulations, Jessica! That is no small feat, especially on top of your new little one. So I guess I am late to the party in congratulating you on the baby... just beautiful! What a fantastic family!

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  10. DawnMarch 20, 2013 at 11:32 AM

    Congratulations! You gave me EPP fever also. I'm on my second 60degree diamond quilt. The first was started with the smaller quilt patis and after almost 200 stars it's still a work in progress. I am making a second using inspiration from "Summer Fete" and already have about 80 hexagons finished (12 diamonds each). I could sit and re-arrange my fabric pairs endlessly! (And I have 5 Rose Star quilt blocks just waiting for about five more friends). Can't wait for your book to come out. And congratulations on that cute little baby.

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  11. HelenMarch 20, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    You are most creative in everything you do, so I am not surprised that you have more wonderful ways to enjoy EPP. I can't wait to move beyond tumbling blocks when I get your book. It will give me a summerful of sewing in the backyard this year!

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    Replies
    1. JessicaMarch 20, 2013 at 12:16 PM

      Can I come sew in your backyard too?

      Delete
    2. HelenMarch 20, 2013 at 1:23 PM

      Sure! Will let you know when the snow is melted.

      Delete
  12. Teje KarjalainenMarch 20, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    Fantastic news Jessica! How you could keep the secret! I'm so happy for you and waiting to see the book! Thank you for inspiration and information - I'm now hooked, too! x Teje

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  13. AnonymousMarch 20, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    Wonderful! Although I hope the release date is before 3013 as it says under the photo on the right of your blog! JJ

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    Replies
    1. JessicaMarch 20, 2013 at 2:45 PM

      Haha! that's what I get for trying to type while holding a baby! thanks.

      Delete
  14. Bonnie HullMarch 20, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    the book looks great...and your hands look so pretty on the cover. I HOPE those are your hands :)

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    1. JessicaMarch 20, 2013 at 10:29 PM

      Thanks Bonnie, but the cover shot isn't me-- it's my friend Nicole. The pic is from a NYC Modern Guild sit & sew in Central Park. Don't worry though, my hands appear in a lot of photos throughout the book, hehe.

      Delete
  15. Kris PMarch 20, 2013 at 6:11 PM

    Congrats on the book. I stumbled across it on Amazon about a month ago, and can't wait to get it. I have also caught EPP fever from you. In July, I ordered some patis and thought I'd give it a try. If I didn't like it, I'd just make a pillow. I finally stopped adding to it when it reached 65x65- And promptly started another. My only problem is how to finish the first one-adding borders, and getting my patis back! Please tell me this is covered in your book. ;-)
    Enjoy your little one.

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    Replies
    1. JessicaMarch 20, 2013 at 10:31 PM

      Kris,
      I couldn't NOT cover borders, edges and finishing! So rest assured, it's all in there. There's more than one way to finish an EPP quilt, and I cover a few options with photo examples. As always, if you have any questions though, just let me know.

      Delete
  16. LisaMarch 20, 2013 at 9:55 PM

    Yeah!! Can't wait to get my hands on your book! So glad the cat is out of the bag! oxox

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  17. Prof. S (the enchanted bobbin)March 21, 2013 at 8:14 AM

    Congratulations!! I too am addicted to EPP...and this winter I'm teaching it to 60 14-year-old girls (together they're making 3 quilts to hang in their school!). Apparently a few of the girls have been caught sewing in math class and Latin class, so they're proving that you really can (try to) EPP just about anywhere :) Looking forward to your book! xx

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  18. SayakaMarch 21, 2013 at 8:42 AM

    Wow!! Congratulations!!

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  19. Judy in MichiganMarch 21, 2013 at 2:35 PM

    Holy cow!!! Congratulations. I will be ordering mine very soon!!!

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  20. m @ random musingsMarch 21, 2013 at 3:24 PM

    wow! awesome news, indeed :-) you (and George - well, mostly that you were able to corral him so wonderfully while demonstrating) were my initial EPP inspiration; it will be so wonderful to see your other patterns.

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  21. ChristineMarch 21, 2013 at 8:16 PM

    I am so excited for you! I already preordered and can't wait to receive the book.

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  22. Lisa KMarch 23, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    I've been lurking on your blog and admiring all you do for 2 years now. This is a perfect time for me to speak up and say congratulations! You inspired me to start an epp project and hope to have it completed soon. Thank you!

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  23. QuilterbellMarch 26, 2013 at 4:46 AM

    wow, congratulations Jess!!!!!! I might add a new project to our flickr group very soon!!!.

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  24. Kris from Duke Says Sew WhatMarch 28, 2013 at 12:07 PM

    What? Fantastic news! I'll tell all my EPP friends! I'm so happy for you and way to go!!!

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  25. AnonymousMarch 28, 2013 at 1:06 PM

    I preordered it! Congrats! Peggy E

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  26. ChristinaApril 2, 2013 at 2:32 AM

    Ahhh!!!! Trying to get my groove on and see how you are doing!! Fabulous, it looks beautiful and I'm so thrilled it won't be long now. You are a rock star. So happy you're in the world.

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  27. Janet AnnApril 2, 2013 at 6:45 PM

    Wha-Hoo! Congratulations Jess! I can not wait to order my copy! And to think I knew you when you were working on your 1st? 2nd? EPP quilt... way back in SCQG times!!! Just thrilled for you and all of your accomplishments! My very best to YOU!

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  28. AnonymousApril 7, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    I have reserved it on Amazon, it looks wonderful!

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  29. AnonymousApril 7, 2013 at 8:59 PM

    Congratulations! I can't wait to get a copy.

    Amy
    abf3615@aol

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  30. BonnieMay 23, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    Congrats!! A baby and a book, isn't that like having twins.

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  31. Milly~June 12, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    I am a TOTAL newbie to all of this and I'm working on my first hexies...I'm HOOKED.

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  32. UnknownJune 14, 2013 at 8:00 PM

    Had it pre-ordered and it arrived on the 11th. Wonderful book! Congratulations!!

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  33. UnknownJune 14, 2013 at 8:01 PM

    Had it preordered and it arrived on the 11th. Congratulations it is a wonderful book!

    ReplyDelete

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