The 2024 100 Day Project kicked off on Sunday, February 18, and I decided to take on the challenge!
The virtual event garners global interest each year, and has become a common practice for many creatives, from hobbyists to professionals. The aim of the event is to encourage participants to engage their creative muscles in any task of their choosing each day for 100 days. The task or craft, the duration, and the goal are yours to define.
Interested in participating? Below are some things to consider.
Image courtesy @dothe100dayproject
If all this choice seems overwhelming, you can browse #the100dayproject hashtag for inspiration or reflect on these questions posted by @dothe100dayproject.
It's important to be realistic when choosing your project. If you're anything like me, you might be battling the constant feeling of being behind on things. Make sure that this project doesn't create those same feelings. The simpler the challenge the more likely you'll be able to keep it up for the long haul.
For example, don't pledge to paint a new painting each day, instead pledge to add at least one brushstroke to a page. Don't pledge to write a page in your journal each day, instead pledge to write a sentence. You'll find that you will accomplish more than a single stroke or sentence, but by keeping your daily commitment simple you won't feel overwhelmed before getting started.
That's the true aim of this challenge: working toward your goal each day for 100 days.
While you can begin your 100 day project at any time, joining the official start will connect you with thousands of other makers who have taken a similar pledge.
If you want to integrate some slow sewing into your daily sewing practice, I'd love for you to join me on my EPP journey.
A couple of weeks have elapsed, but don't let that stop you! Catch up by doing a bit more on your first few days or tack on the days to the end. Read on to learn more about the parameters of my project.
My 100 Day Project: English Paper Pieced Hexies
Many of my works in progress require me to be at my sewing machine, but as a new mom, I have struggled to find time to visit my studio. I'm often cross-legged on the living room floor with my five-month old supervising tummy time.
Needless to say, I was in need of a project that would give me some sewing satisfaction. English paper piecing was the perfect portable option, plus I knew that completing a hexagon flower would feel like a tangible accomplishment.
My 100 Day Project: Goals & Parameters
Below I've listed the parameters that I'll be using to guide me over the next 100 days. Feel free to use them for inspiration and tailor them to your own needs.
Parameter #1: Liberty Quilting Cottons
The first parameter for my project is the exclusive use of Liberty quitlting cottons that I was gifted as part of a sample card. I love the iconic floral prints and the purple/magenta palette. If you're familiar with my work you'll know that I tend to use solids, so this project felt like a great opportunity to highlight some prints that I love.
Parameter #2: No fussy cutting, unless absolutely necessary.
I've decided to forego any fussy cutting for a few reasons:
1) Many of the prints in this collection have a 'tossed' layout (non-directional) and feature relatively small motifs. In a couple of cases I have fussy cut the fabrics if it was the most visually pleasing choice (see below).
2) The goal of this project is creative rest. Limiting the number of creative decisions is important to the project's success. I can envision myself becoming obsessive about the effectiveness of my fussy cutting, so I've steered clear by eliminating the option all together. The only decision I have to make is what fabric will be the centre of my hexie flower and what fabric will be the petals. Simple.
3) I want to be economical with how I use my fabric samples. I have a limited amount of fabrics in this collection, and fussy cutting can create unsightly remnants that can be difficult to use in the future.
All that being said, if you want to make fussy cutting part of your project, you're welcome to!
Parameter #3: Any Progress Counts
Any task that moves my project forward is considered progress. This includes tracing hexagons onto fabric, cutting hexagons from fabric, cutting hexagons from cardstock, or a single line of stitching.
My 100 Day Project: Supplies
Here are a few more supplies I'll be using:
- 1" hexagon templates (shop here)
- Cardstock
- Paper Scissors
- Fabric Scissors
- Glue stick or glue pen
- Thread (50wt Aurifil)
- Thread gloss (Sew Fine Thread Gloss Vanilla)
- Thimble
- Needle (I like a stiff needle that won't bend.)
- Container to store materials
Hexagon English Paper Piecing Templates: Free Download
Purchase, download, and print these hexagon templates on cardstock. The first page features a hexagon template including a 3/8" seam allowance to trace onto your fabrics. The second page features 20 one-inch hexagons that you can glue your fabrics to. Print more as needed.
English Paper Piecing Photo Tutorial
New to EPP? I put together a simple photo tutorial that will guide you in making your own hexagon flowers. View the tutorial here.
Also on the blog: What's the difference between EPP and FPP?
My 100 Day Project Hashtag: #EPPwithSAV
If you're up for the challenge and want to join me, I'd love to see your progress! Share photos by using the hashtag: #eppwithsav, that is, english paper piecing with Ships and Violins.
Below is my progress on the 100 Day Project to date. I decided to have a little fun with the photographs for this project, too. The backgrounds are set in greyscale and the prints are kept in their original colours. This will help keep a unified look to the project no matter where I find myself piecing.
Lectures on the 100 Day Project
Want to learn more about the 100 Day Project? Here are a couple of quilters with lectures on their experiences that you can suggest to your Guild's Program Committee:
- Finding Your Creative Practice Through A 100-Day Project by Shannon Fraser Designs
- 100 Days of Creative Bliss by Sarah Ruiz Quilts
Will you be joining me?
