Top Tips for Speedy EPP

I keep getting asked how I EPP so fast.  I don't know whether I EPP any faster than anyone else out there but I do have a few tips for getting your speed up if you're interested in going faster.  For some people, it's all about the process and speed is irrelevant.  I am the opposite; everything I do in quilting is based around getting to finish what I'm making as soon as possible so I can move onto the next idea in my head.  So scream if you want to go faster and read on...

1.   Start with good scissors.  I use Korbond Professional Dressmaking Scissors.  They are heavy, sharp and cut beautifully.  No more hacking away with one of a £1 set of scissors from Ikea for me.  It's a small detail but a decent pair of scissors cuts up the scraps quickly, easily and neatly.  And makes a nice  sound like in a fabric shop, where I sometimes pretend I'm working.

2.   Find a needle you love to work with.  This is a matter of personal preference and I can tell you what I use but you may find something else you prefer.  I like a really long, skinny and very slightly flexible needles and Clover's Sashico needles just work well for me.  Smaller needles make my hand cramp up for some reason.

3.   A decent thread makes ALL the difference. If you're stopping every three stitches to undo knots, the time you take to EPP will double.  I use Aurifil 50wt in cream.  In my experience a lighter colour thread will tangle less than a darker colour thread which I guess has something to do with the amount of dye applied to the thread.  You might prefer to switch to a darker thread if using darker fabrics but I quite like the look of the stitches - since I'm taking the time to hand sew, I may as well shout about it.  

4.   To minimise knots, thread the needle from the end of the thread that comes off the spool so that the knotted end is the one that was the closest to the spool.  Once threaded, run the thread through your fingers two or three times to reduce twisting.  Some people use wax or thread conditioner - I don't find I need them if using Aurifil. 

5.   Stitch eight stitches before pulling the long thread through (similar to loading stitches for hand quilting).  I noticed that, when hand sewing, the last few stitches on a thread are much faster than when the thread is really long because there's less pulling and more potential tangling.  So here's how to take advantage of that.  Sew one stitch and pull the thread through until you have (give or take) 8" of thread through the hole with all the rest staying behind.  Hold the thread remaining behind with a finger to keep it out of the way.  Sew eight stitches using just the short length of thread.  Now to pull the longer thread through.  Lay your hand over the long thread as you use your other hand to slide the thread through the eight stitches.  Laying your hand over the long thread will reduce the potential to tangle.  After some exhaustive and dorky testing, eight seems to be the optimum number.  Fewer and you're not going so fast.  More and the thread tends to snap.

6.   Sew fewer stitches per inch.  Around internetland, I've read how many stitches people use per inch and they use waaay more than me.  I sew at a rate of about 6 stitches per inch.  If you squint at this photo, you can see the number of stitches I use - each side of these lozenges is 1 1/2" long.  It looks nice and neat and it holds well.

6.   The rest of what I do in EPP may or may not be faster than anyone else.  I make my own templates printed off the home printer rather than buying templates.  I pin my templates rather than gluing them.  I stitch baste them through the paper rather than gluing or stitching not through the paper.  I remove the paper templates by unpicking the basting stitches using the blunt end of a needle.  I re-use papers.  All personal taste and no slower or faster than any other method I don't think.  Oh and I like to EPP in the courtyard off my kitchen where my husband and twin girls were sat last night reading their books with a nice glass of something.  I've just noticed my husband has come home from work, changed into shorts and left his socks on.  How very British (he's Welsh so this comment will wind him up).