I love it when you get in touch with me and send me lovely emails and comments. I also love helping with any queries and questions you might have, as well as seeing the lovely things you make with my patterns, so please do get in touch via email, blog/Instagram/YouTube comments. I do receive a high volume of daily questions so I have put together this little list of common questions, I hope it will be helpful.
General
What is English paper piecing (EPP)?
English paper piecing is a form of patchwork that is worked by hand. You wrap fabric around paper shapes, stitch them together and later remove the papers. It is typically used to create quilts but you can make so much from it, cushions, sewing cases, pincushions, baskets, the sky is the limit!
What is hexiform?
Hexiform is a type of fabric stabiliser that is an alternative to paper for EPP. It is designed to be left in which makes the process quicker but also gives is a nice squishy texture and you can embroider/hand quilt straight into it and in some cases, you might not need to use wadding. It is made by www.ashmeaddesigns.com but I also sell some here.
Why do you use hexiform instead of paper?
I tend to use paper for large quilting projects but I love using hexiform for smaller things like cushions, sewing cases, mini quilts etc. I like using it because I love embroidering straight into my shapes to add texture and embellishment.
Are you stitching straight into the papers? Why would you do that?!
No! I don't stitch into paper shapes at all. When using paper shapes I remove them. When you see me stitching into my patchwork, I am using the hexiform shapes.
You don't seem to pay attention to the grain of the fabric, why?
That's not strictly true. When using new fabrics or cutting large pieces, I always pay attention to the grain. This is important so that your work won't stretch out and so everything will be lined up properly. The times when it seems like I am not paying attention to the grain is when I am using scrap fabrics for tiny patchwork. In these cases, the most important thing to me is using the fabric up and for tiny piecing using hexiform, the grain line doesn't seem as important.
What is Tana Lawn fabric?
Tana Lawn is a 100% cotton fabric made by Liberty of London. Is has a tight weave and very high thread count, meaning it is high quality, cool to touch and very durable and versatile.
Where do you buy your fabrics?
I buy most of my fabrics from www.sewandquilt.co.uk and I love everything they sell. They also have brilliant block of the month subscriptions that I have signed up for twice before and I really enjoyed it.
What is the glue that you are using?
I use the Sewline glue pen, designed for EPP.
What size needle and what type of thread do you use?
It varies, but typically I use a size 9 milliners needle and I mainly use Invisafil thread. You can find my favourite notions in my shop as I only sell what I love to use. And I have videos on my Youtube channel where I talk about needles and threads in more detail.
I have been sewing and quilting for most of my life and I have never seen anyone hold the needle like you do or stitch in the direction you do. Where did you learn this technique and why don't you stitch following the traditional rules?
I am completely self taught from books and the internet. I don't consciously use any technique but I just sew in a way that feels comfortable to me. I am a strong believer in doing what makes you happy and what feels right and I think it is good to push boundaries and break rules to move the craft forward and develop new ideas.
Shop
What are your business hours?
I work Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 3pm. I will aim to answer all queries within 24 hours but it is more than likely that I will answer much more quickly.
Also remember that we may be in different time zones as I am in the UK.
What is the best way to contact you?
It is always best to send me an email: emma@vintagesewingbox.co.uk
When will my package be shipped?
I am currently posting things on Mondays and Thursdays only. If you purchase something on Tuesday-Thursday, it will be posted on Thursday (unless you purchase after I have been to the post office, in which case it will go in the following post run). If you purchase something on Friday-Monday, it will be posted on Monday (unless you purchase after I have been to the post office, in which case it will go in the following post run). At busier times, such as the run up to Christmas, I will make extra postal runs.
You sell hexiform in packets of 60. I don't need 60, I only need... x amount for the project I am making. Can I buy just a few shapes from you?
I am very sorry but I can only sell the hexiform shapes in the numbers stated on the packets. I am a very small business and I am unable to only sell a few shapes from a pack because then the rest of the pack will be potentially wasted.
I love your kits but I would like a different selection of fabrics/colour. Can you take the fabrics from kit A and put them into kit B?
At this time, I am unable to swap and change fabrics between kits. As much as I would like to offer a bespoke service, as a very small business this is not something I can do. Each of my kits is extremely carefully planned. Hours upon hours of work has gone into them, from designing to planning, to sourcing materials, to costings, to cutting each one entirely by hand myself. Altering the fabrics between the kits disrupts this planning and can sometimes result in wastage. It also takes a lot more time for me and can make my workload rather large. I hope that as my little business grows, the selection of what I can offer will expand too.
Can I please have some extra fabric/hexiform shapes in my kit? I would like to make it but also add extra things to it.
At this time, I cannot offer extra items in the kits as I only buy the exact amount to make my kits up. There is enough fabric in each kit for 'wiggle room' without being wasteful. You can always purchase additional hexiform shapes or other items if you wish and I will happily put them into your package.
I don't know if I will like hexiform, can I have a free sample to try it?
As a very small business, I am sorry that I cannot offer free items. I appreciate that looking at products online can be difficult so please check out my Youtube channel and Instagram page to see many examples of hexiform in use and hopefully this will help you decide if you might like it.
Do you/will sell fabric?
I will from time to time sell scrap packs and small bundles/pre cuts, but I have no plans to become a fabric shop, there are already so many wonderful ones out there already.
I would like to start a business, will you tell me which suppliers you use?
I am such a new business that I am not in a position to give out any advice at this time. A Google search is a great place to start though, with lots of great information online.
I have been waiting for your kits to come back into stock/you to release a pattern, why is it taking so long?
I am so sorry you have been waiting for me to make up kits or to write up a pattern I have been working on. I try to work as quickly as I can but certain things slow me down such as my son or myself being unwell. I have no outside help at all, so it is just me doing everything from designing, to sourcing materials to making samples, writing patterns, photography, listing on my website, filming videos, preparing kits, packing orders, posting orders, etc. I love doing all of these things but it does take time. Also, because of Brexit, suppliers are taking much longer to send out items and this slows down the process of making up kits. Rest assured that things will be available as soon as possible. Please follow me over on Instagram and sign up for my newsletter to be kept in the loop for new releases.
Downloadable Patterns
I have purchased your pattern but I have not received the download link.
First check your junk/spam email as sometimes the email might end up there. Also double check that you spelt your email address correctly when you bought the pattern. The very few times people have not received the link, it is for one of those two reasons.
I am a sewing teacher/quilt shop/sewing or quilting retreat organiser/quilting guild and I would like to teach a workshop using one of your patterns, is this allowed?
Thank you for your interest in wanting to teach one of my patterns. My patterns are protected under copyright so you need special permission from me as well as making sure you purchase a copy of the pattern for each participant of the workshop. This is the case no matter which country you live in or whichever language you speak. Please email me to discuss further.