Summer 2026 Block Lotto: Fames Hexies

This year, we have a bonus block lotto for you to work on over the summer, and it’s a nice portable project that you can take on vacation, or just work on outside.

We’ll be using English Paper Piecing (EPP) to make framed hexies.

Due: Our next in-person event, in September 

Techniques and concepts: English Paper Piecing (EPP) 

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

What you'll need

• A fabric for the center hexagon. I’d encourage you to fussy-cut a motif for this central piece. If the motif has a distinct top and bottom, place it so that the top and bottom are aligned with an edge, not with a point: 
  
  
  
• A fabric for the six half-hexagons used for the frame. Pick whatever you like.
• EPP template. If you didn’t pick one up at the June event, you can download it here. Be sure to print it at the actual size (100%) and use the 1" test square on the template to check that it printed correctly. I like printing the template on cardstock, but some people prefer working with lighter or heavier paper.
• Thread or glue for basting. You can use any washable glue.
• Fine, sharp needle and a fairly fine thread for piecing.

Steps

1. Cut out the template pieces. 
   
   
2. Cut fabric at least 1/4" larger than the pieces.
   
   
3. Baste the fabric around the pieces. You can thread-baste or glue-baste. If you use glue, please make sure it's water-soluble and use it sparingly so that the papers can be removed later.
   






4. Use a whipstitch to connect the pieces. You'll need to bend some of the pieces slightly when sewing some of the seams.
   
   
   

Please leave the papers in the block when you turn it in. 

Additional resources

There are lots of resources out there for EPP. One of my favourites is the EPP for Beginners guides from Tales of Cloth, which covers tools, basting, how to whipstitch, and more.  

The MQG site also has these resources:

Getting Started with English Paper Piecing (EPP) with Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill (Whole Circle Studio)
The History of English Paper Piecing
The Changing Shapes of EPP

May Block Lotto: Monochromatic Scrap Vortex

Due: Bring your blocks to the June 22 event

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

It's time to use up some scraps! Pick any colour - your favourite, your least favourite, or the one where you have the most scraps and make a scrap vortex block using just that colour.

What's a scrap vortex block? There are variations out there, but it seems to have been popularized by Amanda Jean Nyberg (@crazymomquilts), and you may also remember that this was a block lotto from Leslie back in 2022. 

For this month's block lotto, please follow Leslie's instructions, with these changes:

• Instead of using a variety of colours, just use one colour for each block (though you can use different shades/tints/tones of the colour)
• The blocks you turn in can be any of these sizes. The bigger the block, the more tickets you'll get for the draw!
• 12.5 x 18.5"
• 12.5 x 12.5"
• 12.5 x 6.5"
• 6.5 x 6.5"

Hopefully we'll get a variety of colours and the winner will end up with a rainbow! 

On a personal note, I'd like thank everyone who participated in block lotto this year. I enjoyed putting them together and it was a delight to see all of your blocks.

New Location and Date for May 25, 2026 Event

Please note that we have a new location AND DATE for our May 2026 event which is now on Monday, JUNE 1st at the J.A. Dulude Arena in the Mel Baker Hall (941 Clyde Ave N, Ottawa, ON K2C 4B2).  This is our silent auction and Annual General Meeting.  Be sure keep an eye on your inbox for more details.