Do you know what the definition of iteration is? Google has it as: "Repetition of a mathematical or computational procedure applied to the result of a previous application, typically as a means of obtaining successively closer approximations to the solution of a problem"
I did A-level maths, and iteration always seemed slightly pointless.
However, I'm kind of learning the point of it now.
Even if the first iteration falls a little way short, the second one will be closer to perfect. And that's nice.
I am intending to iterate my way towards the perfect English paper piecing (EPP) travel kit, in case you were wondering.
Incidentally, am I the only one who always struggles to transport EPP around the place? You either take a bulky tin, or you risk squashing everything inside a zipped bag, or you take too much, or not enough. I really hope it's not just me.
I've been meaning to make a travel kit for a while, and this was the first attempt at translating my scrawly drawings into an actual thing.
It is full of flaws - the sewing supplies pocket is too small and baggy, the pocket which has the yellow and black fabric in (which is meant to be the pocket for finished shapes) is too deep and too tight, and the overlapping (unstuffed, as yet) pincushion and scissors situation bothers me more than I'm prepared to admit.
But don't for a minute think that I'm unhappy with this project. The patchwork of tiny scraps of precious fabrics, both new and old, and the dense straight line quilting make this one of my favourite patchwork things to play with, ever. And the fact that it holds my other favourite thing to play with - EPP supplies - makes it even better.
That red and blue fabric there, incidentally, represents my very first cut of any description into the Liberty Art fabrics I bought at the Quilts exhibition at the V&A a couple of years ago. Ridiculous.
(Ths pincushion will be attached to its tab by a key ring, in case you're wondering. I thought it might be useful to be able to detach it).
A second iteration will be coming soon.
And possibly even a pattern. Who knows? I've been toying with the idea of putting together some patterns to go in the etsy shop, and I think when I go 'full time' on both the etsy shop and my new business in a few weeks, I'll consider it a bit more seriously.
ps: Any thoughts, ideas and iterative improvements you can suggest for the EPP kit would be much appreciated.
pps: I am also planning a full on tote version of the EPP kit, so you could, theoreticaly, just grab the bag if you were going away for the weekend and it would have everything you might require for putting together an entire EPP quilt top on the go.
ppps: We found a house! Touch wood, fingers crossed and imaginary rabbits foot stroked (or whatever the hell it is you're meant to do with rabbit's feet. Never struck me as desperately lucky for the rabbit). It's perfect for what we need, and I finally feel that I can move forward with imagining our new, relocated to the South West, life!
