how to Get Started with English Paper Piecing
Have your wheels been turning since last week’s update about my Ice Cream Soda quilt? You’d like to try English Paper Piecing, but (understandably) don’t want to tackle a whole quilt project right from the start.
I think that is smart. A traditional English paper pieced quilt is entirely hand sewn, and as such it is a big time commitment. It makes sense to get your feet wet with a time-consuming new technique on a smaller scale. First find out what you like and refine your skills. Then, you’ll be ready to choose a long-term project that you’ll really love.
Did you know that Ice Cream Soda is my first entirely English paper pieced (EPP) quilt? Over the years, I’ve made a handful of short-term projects with the technique. Maybe these projects will help you figure out where to begin with English paper piecing.
EPP Projects for Beginners
Simple Hexagons
The simplest start? Hexagons. Practice basting and see how you like the process. You can applique hexagons individually on a purse or quilt block. Take it a step farther by practicing your joining skills. Creating a small series of hexagons to embellish a project, such as the drawstring pouch at bottom right.
Small Blocks
Some of my favorite English paper piecing patterns create flower or star blocks approximately the size of your hand. Make a small collection of such blocks and then applique them on a pillow. I added a touch of hand stitching on this little treasure.
Big, Fancy block
Have you fallen in love with a bigger, fancier EPP block? First applique your showy piece on background fabric so that you can transform it into a square or rectangle that’s easier to work with. Then you can use the English paper pieced block as the center of a medallion quilt or wrap it around a canvas as hangable wall art.
Mini Patchwork series
Another idea is to follow an English paper pieced pattern as designed for a throw quilt, but make fewer blocks so that your project finishes baby quilt size or even table runner size. This is a great way to practice with a pattern before going big.
English Paper Piecing Resources for Beginners
my English Paper Piecing overview with tips for making the above Star Blossom table runner
Jodie at Tales of Cloth’s EPP 101, with sections on basting, sewing and finishing
Tales of Cloth FREE English Paper Piecing patterns
Tales of Cloth patterns and kits (located in Australia, ships worldwide)
Troll Brothers Quilt Designs gigantic collection of patterns, kits and notions (located in Canada, ships worldwide)
And last, but not least, the free Kingfisher Sew-along + quilt pattern. This pattern was a collaboration between Tales of Cloth and Stitched in Color in 2018. We designed a quilt that combines EPP and traditional machine sewing. It’s a great choice if you really want to make a EPP-style quilt, but you aren’t yet ready to tackle all that hand sewing. Enjoy!
