Spring Mystery Project Sew Along

The long awaited Spring Mystery Project Sew Along for Sip Tea and EPP will start next Thursday, April 7th, 2022 and we hope you can join us this time as well and have some fun sewing together with us.

Many of you mentioned that the most challenging part of the previous Mystery Sew Along was choosing the fabrics. Irina and I decided to give you some clues to what look for while picking your fabrics and other needed supplies.

The Spring Mystery Project Sew Along is over. We are sorry the templates are no longer available for download. The pattern is coming soon!

Now let's go through the list of supplies!

1) Solid colour linen or quilting cotton

Irina and I both like using medium weight linen in natural colour for our makes. It gives a perfect background to any make and lets the EPP design shine. Since linen usually shrinks a lot, Irina always pre-washes hers. It is a matter of personal preference as I don't do that.

If you don't have any linen, you can use canvas or any solid quilting cotton. The main idea is to make your EPP elements stand out, so keep this in mind when picking your background fabric.

2) Double sided foam interfacing

If you are not familiar with this product yet, it's time for you to get to know it. It combines foam, fusibility and lightness as well as giving your makes great stability and shape retention. In other words, it gives a nice structure to your makes. As you can see, it is quite thick, but it is very easy to sew through and it is very flexible.

We recommend using Double Sided fusible foam for this particular project, but you can also use Single Sided or Sew In foam stabiliser if you have it. Just use pins or basting spray to hold all layers together.

If you don't have foam stabiliser, don't worry. You can use batting, even batting scraps sewn together. I recommend medium loft batting. If you only have thin (low loft) batting, then use 2 layers. It works well too.

Irina uses either Bosal In-R-form or Soft and Stable by Annie's just because I can get them locally. Both are really good and easy to work with.

I use single sided fusible foam -

Legacy Flex-Foam 1-sided fusible.

3) Quilting cotton fabric scraps

This project is a whimsical celebration of the first flowers blossoming, the sunshine lighting up the world below and every other little beauty that comes with spring. Therefore, we encourage you to pick fabrics that sing spring to you.

For us, spring is always about first flowers popping from the half frozen ground, buttercups, pansies, apple blossoms and sunshine. Here is the fabric pull inspired by all these wonderful things...

If spring is about rainbows for you, then pick the rainbow palette. Pick the fabrics that make your heart sing, not just to fit the colour scheme. If you choose to sew with the fabrics you love, then you will love the finished product even more.

Once you have your options, audition them with the solid linen or quilting cotton you chose.

For my first version, I have picked a selection of rainbow Liberty prints that will look wonderful against the natural linen. For the binding, I settled on this colourful check print by Heather Ross and the other piece of cotton I chose with buzzy bees.

For my second version, I decided to go with warmer and even brighter prints by Heather Ross. I am going to use this colourful check fabric for the binding and lovely Japanese cotton.

4) Quilting cotton

Irina and I always go for a harmonious look on the outside and inside of our makes. This is why this fabric should coordinate with the quilting cotton scraps and solid linen you chose as well, but if you feel like having a contrast, then go for it!

5) Binding

We use two types of binding for this project - bias binding and straight binding (cut on grain).

Bias binding choice depends on your personal preferences. Some like gingham, some prefer stripes, while others go for solid colours. You can audition a few options with the background and quilting cotton scraps and see what looks best to you. Have your options ready but make the final decision once the binding step comes.

Straight binding (cut on grain) should be made from the same quilting cotton (from step 4).

6) Zipper

Even if you’ve never installed a zipper before, you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to sew by hand. If you already have zippers at home, but don't have the right length, you might audition the options with the solid background, quilting cotton scraps and bias binding, and then order or buy a 10" zipper in the colours that fit best.

If you like contrast and pop of colour then go for one of the colours from the quilting cotton scraps. For a more neutral look, beige or white is always a good option.

7) Embroidery floss

We use DMC embroidery floss in a dark brown colour, and also in red and a few other colours that you will pick later during the process.

Irina and I hope these tips will help you make the right fabric and supplies choices for the Spring Mystery Project!

Have fun picking your fabrics! Larisa xox