This popular way of sewing up shapes is a great stash buster!
PAPER PIECING
English Paper Piecing (or EPP, as you
may often see it referred to) works with
a variety of geometric shapes, but the
most common is the hexagon. The
six-sided shapes are stitched together by
hand to form a patchwork piece of fabric
- just like the quilt tops you’ve pieced by
machine. This method is ideal for
first-time quilters and works across
a range of projects, from bags and
cushions to full-size quilts.
By varying the colours, you can create
different patterns within the patchwork
design. Random designs are also just as
pretty, and a great way to use up scraps
of fabric from your stash. Once you’vemastered hexagons, try English Paper
Piecing other shapes to create different
geometric patterns – triangles,
pentagons, jewels and more.
See our instructions below to paper
piece your hexagons the traditional way,
by thread basting. For EPP in a rush, there
are products for glue basting too!STEP ONE
Cut a hexagon from paper or
card. Pin to a piece of fabric
(square or trimmed) and fold
the fabric edges around it.STEP FOUR
Repeat steps 1-3. Place two
basted hexagons right sides
together, aligning the edges.
Whip stitch along one side.STEP TWO
Thread baste the fabric in
place, starting in one corner.
Sew a couple of stitches
through the fabric (not paper).STEP FIVE
Add a third shape by folding
a hexagon with two stitched
edges in half so the remaining
edges meet.STEP THREE
Move to the next corner and
stitch in place. Continue
around the hexagon until
all the corners are stitched.STEP SIX
Continue adding more shapes.
Once a hexagon has been
sewn on all six sides, remove
the paper or card template.ENGLISH