Tag: english paper piecing

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Divination EPP Quilt Pattern

I’m so thrilled to finally have my Divination EPP quilt pattern out in the world! I am such a huge fan of 8-pointed stars that I knew I wanted my next pattern to be composed primarily of that shape. English paper piecing is such a wonderfully fun past time, and I really had so much fun picking fabrics and fussy cutting each of these blocks. This pattern looks deceptively intricate, but each fussy cut print is paired with a “blender” fabric that reads as a solid, so it simplifies the fabric selection quite a bit. It’s a great confident beginner project for those familiar with EPP, but not ready to pair complex fabrics together for each and every block.

I have been looking at my out of print fabric stash for quite a while now, and I LOVE using that fabric up. I want to use up every crumb and enjoy those fabrics in quilts and usable projects. The Divination EPP Quilt is a great way to use up those long hoarded fabrics without regret.

Many of these prints are so fun to fussy cut, especially with the help of Magic Mirrors to show you a preview of what the kaleidoscope effect will look like BEFORE you do the cutting! You can see each and every block I’ve cut for my Divination EPP Quilt by heading over to Instagram. You can search the hashtag #DivinationEPP to see the awesome blocks!

The Divination EPP pattern includes these features:

  • Clear instructions and fabric requirements (calculated in solids, but also includes a supplement with an exact diagram with specific fabrics used in the cover quilt and requirements for those fabrics))
  • Coloring page to help plan your quilt
  • Yardage requirements that aren’t usually included in EPP patterns
  • Step-by-Step instructions with pictures to guide you through
  • Instructions and diagrams for piecing quilt backs
  • Pattern includes printable templates for easy cutting
  • The option to purchase acrylic templates, making fussy cutting a breeze
  • Basting diagram so your seams spin and nest perfectly
  • Printable fussy cutting templates (this is especially useful if you are overseas and want to avoid shipping acrylic templates)
  • Fussy cutting diagram to illustrate exactly how to cut the Tiny Stripes prints
  • Fussy cutting diagram to illustrate exactly how to cut the striped stars, along with alternative layout
  • Options to make THREE different sizes
  • Expanded size assembly layouts for the 61″ x 82″ and 82″ square larger quilt options
  • Printable papers

Fabric Kits

You can purchase a stripe bundle that will get you going on all of those smaller starbursts here. And you can get Ultimate Tula Pink Rainbow bundles here to coordinate with each fussy cut star in the top.

Ultimate Tula Pink Rainbow Bundle
Ultimate Tula Pink Stripes Bundle

Fussy Cutting? What’s that?

Divination Fussy cutting acrylic templates

Fussy cutting is one of my favorite things to do. And the Divination EPP pattern is made for fussy cutting! You basically take a fabric and look at the print on it. You decide what part of the print you want to show in your piecing and determine where your seam allowance will fall. A great way to look at this is with a set of Magic Mirrors to show how the pattern will repeat if you cut so many of the same print. I like to place the Magic Mirrors directly on top of the seam line of my fussy cutting template (that way, the angle is perfect) and move them on top of the fabric to see the different possibilities for fussy cutting.

Fussy cutting preview with mirrors

Once you decide on the area of the print that you like, you use the acrylic templates to fussy cut the print so it creates a new and unique repeat. Half the fun is turning the pieces in opposite directions to see how much of a difference you can get from one print! Below are some great samples of fussy cutting turned into Divination EPP blocks.

New to English Paper Piecing?

That’s okay too. I’ve got you covered with a basic EPP video where I tell you about all my favorite tools, tips, and tricks for getting started with EPP. I’ve also got one on my favorite basting method  I’m team glue basting all the way. There are tons of different supplies, methods, etc. and every single EPP-er seems to have some pretty strong opinions about which method and what supplies they prefer. English paper piecing is a fun way to take a project with you, and I invite you to explore the different methods and find the one that you like the best!

My favorite English Paper Piecing Accessories

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Hexie EPP Stocking Pattern

A group of hexagonal patterned socks in different colors.

The Hexie EPP Stocking Pattern is finally here! This is a perfect pattern for a quick finish, and it saves time and fabric by not having to fussy cut. I designed these stockings to have a similar look to the cute Buffalo Plaid that has a more clean and modern Christmas-y look, but with hexagons. The pattern details how to make the stocking using the 3-color solids, or for a more fun look, a 6-color solid multicolor stocking. Using solids eliminates the need to spend tons of extra time fussy cutting, and you can use the stack and cut method to cut multiple hexies out at once. I think the most I was able to cut at one time was 8 pieces.

This pattern includes:

  • Detailed instructions for solids: 3-colors or 6-colors or fussy cut your own pieces
  • Pattern includes Youtube tutorial sew along to assemble the stocking
  • finished stocking measures 6″ wide at top x 14″ tall X 11″ wide heel to toe, complete with hanging loop
  • Blank coloring sheet to design your own colorway or plan for fussy cutting
  • Fabric requirements for the 3 and 6 color stockings
  • Detailed cutting diagrams
  • Full color diagrams and step outs
  • Stocking template
  • Printed pattern version includes a full sheet of hexie papers for you to copy and cut out yourself, should you choose
  • PDF version includes a printable sheet of hexie papers

So many options!

Kits for the Hexie EPP Stockings:

Find the perfect kit for you! These solid stockings are curated in the perfect shades of Tula Pink solids by FreeSpirit. Grab the color that fits you, or make an entire fabulous rainbow gradient to fill your mantle!

If you aren’t a fan of fabric kits, you can also grab your own acrylic fussy cutting template and precut EPP papers to save you a little time. Or cut your own hexies with the papers that are included in the PDF or the printed pattern. Both options have a printed OR printable paper Hexie fussy cutting template.

Customizing your stocking

You can choose to quilt your stocking with fun hand quilting, easy domestic machine quilting with simple straight lines, or pick a fun pantograph and throw it on the longarm for a bit of punch! Alternatively, you don’t have to quilt the stocking at all and the inside is fully lined to protect all the seams. Pattern instructions include a hanging loop.

Orange Peel Quilting
Honeycomb Panto
Night Light panto
Simple free motion quilting
Rainbow hearts panto
Baptist fan panto
Bountiful Feathers panto

I’m so excited to finally share this pattern with you. I feel like I have been working on it for years and perfecting each version so it will bring you SO much joy when you make it. I hope you’ll share your makes with me using #HexieEPPStocking . Thanks for reading, friend, and happy sewing!!

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Spellbound EPP – a magical quilt pattern

A colorful quilt with many different colors of hexagons.

My labor of love (aside from longarming) this year has been the Spellbound EPP pattern! When Tula Pink released her black and white line called Linework, I knew I wanted to make something really special with it. I love black and white fabrics and adding a pop of color to them really sets them apart. I’ve had a blast on this journey picking the fabrics and fussy cutting different elements of each fabric to make it shine. The Spellbound quilt pattern will be available this Friday, October 29!

I am a little bit of a mover and a shaker. You know what I mean–I’m one of those people that can’t stand to just sit idle and not do anything. If you’re here, and reading this, you might have this problem too 😉 . If I have some free time and a free set of hands, you better believe I’ve got some EPP prepped and ready to go. Aside from longarm quilting (which I do almost all day), EPP is my favorite way to pass the time.

I always have a little EPP kit in my purse so that if I’m caught waiting at the doctor’s office, or getting my car inspected, or whatever, I always have a little something to keep me busy AND productive (I posted a list of my favorites at the end of this post). I hate wasting so much time on my phone when I could be sewing something, right!?

It’s such a convenient way to pack a little sewing kit and get things done when you otherwise couldn’t. I love the portability and convenience of EPP, and my daughter Gemma has even helped me finish a few stitches. You can see a ton of my Spellbound EPP shares by heading over to Instagram.

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Trippy Triangles Quilt pattern release

A pink and blue background with green triangles.

I’m stoked to finally introduce to you the Trippy Triangles Quilt pattern! This quilt has been a pet project of mine for the last year (and then some). From picking just the right fabrics–I changed my fabrics several times before I finally got with it stitching–to fussy cutting, etc. and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’m currently working on another version and planning yet another with some fun fussy cutting 🙂

The thing with EPP

Here’s the thing with English Paper Piecing: It’s an obsession of mine. Aside from longarm quilting (which I do almost all day), EPP is my favorite way to pass the time. I always have a little EPP kit in my purse so that if I’m caught waiting at the doctor’s office, or getting my car inspected, or whatever, I always have a little something to keep me busy AND productive. I hate wasting so much time on my phone when I could be sewing something, right!? It’s such a convenient way to pack a little sewing kit and get things done when you otherwise couldn’t.

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How to English Paper Piece – sewing pieces together

A woman is sewing paper pieces on the wall.

How to English paper piece

In this series of blog posts, I’ve talked about start up supplies (what my favorites are) and discussed glue basting (also my favorite). Now that you know how to prepare for sewing, lets get going! In this video, I’ll show you how I sew my paper pieces together once they’re basted. There are many, many ways to accomplish this. I’m showing my favorite methods, in case you haven’t seen them before, in the hopes of inspiring you to try new things!

There are different kinds of stitches you can use to sew the pieces together. My go to is a simple whip stitch, but I’ve heard people rave about the flat back stitch. I tried the flat back stitch, and it wasn’t for me–but you might love it (so def. check it out!).

A person is sewing the fabric on a bikini top.
Sewing the pieces together
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How to glue baste – English paper piecing

A woman is holding onto paper and sitting on the table

How to glue baste…

I know, I know. I know what you’re thinking. Why do I need to know how to glue baste?? So before we get into it…let me just say that I am not the authority on english paper piecing. There are so many ways to get a finished project, and I certainly don’t claim to be the one holding all the answers. But I want to let you in on what has worked so well for me after lots of trial and error. And before I go on, I just want to say: ALWAYS TEST NEW PRODUCTS LIKE GLUE STICKS ON YOUR FABRIC PRIOR TO USING THEM IN AN ENTIRE PROJECT. The glue I use has never done me wrong, but that’s not to say you might not have a different experience.

A person using a pair of scissors on a cutting mat.
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English Paper Piecing – Getting started and basic supplies

A woman standing next to a quilt and a cutting mat.

If you’ve spent any amount of time on my blog or Instagram, you know by now that I LOVE sewing and quilting. SO much so that I like to have a travel-friendly project I can take with me, whether it’s in the car, waiting at the doctor’s office, taking my daughter to the dentist, etc., to help pass the time. While English paper piecing is fun, it is much slower than powering up your sewing machine and zipping through a few seams. There’s something meditative about it that helps the craziness of the world to fade away for just a moment and let you appreciate the thoughtfulness of a stitch. English paper piecing appealed to me first when I was still an ag teacher. A lot of times, I’d be on a school bus with kids and nothing to do for hours while we traveled to judging contest OR I’d be stuck in a hotel room at night, not able to go to sleep and wishing for something productive to do. So I started dabbling in EPP. My husband bought me the La Passacaglia kit (Pattern by Willyne Hammerstein) for my birthday and I was totally hooked. I want to take the time to share my favorite English Paper Piecing supplies and tips in the video below.

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Typecast English Paper Piecing

A collage of different types of letters on a wooden surface.

Have you guys seen Sheri of Whole Circle Studio’s newest pattern? It’s called the Typecast of Characters, and it’s an amazingly fun English Paper Piecing pattern that lets you create the entire alphabet and customize it to your heart’s desire. You can snag your copy of the pattern guide and paper packs here.

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Wisecraft Handstitched English Paper Piecing Pillow

A colorful quilt is sitting on top of a wooden chair.


After a long day at work, picking the kiddo up from daycare, fixing dinner and doing the dishes…I like to relax by doing English Paper Piecing.  I started my EPP journey before Gemma was born by sewing up La Passacaglia (pattern by Willyne Hammerstein).  I’d pick my fabrics in the morning before I went to work (this was when I was still teaching high school), then when I got home, I’d cut the fabrics out as quickly as I could, make dinner, etc., then start glue stick basting all the papers on the couch.  I’d organize all my rosettes into little zip lock baggies so I could just grab and go.  I also had color coded templates I made so I wouldn’t get my little papers confused.  I’d throw a prepped ziplock into my purse when I knew I’d be travelling with students and had some time alone at the hotel at night and sew when I had a chance.  That project really hooked me into EPP.

Fast forward to now…I sew full time and any extra time in the morning is spent prepping for the day’s work ahead.  Now I have a sweet & sour toddler who demands most of my extra time in the evenings, and I’m so wiped after she goes to bed that the last thing I want to do is think about anything.  That is…until I got Blair Stocker’s Wisecraft Quilts book.  It’s such an organically creative book about repurposing and it really pulls at my creative heartstrings.

A book cover with two hands holding up a quilt.
Wise Craft Quilts

There’s an EPP project in Blair’s book called “Handstitched” that made me fall in love with English Paper Piecing all over again.  It’s a project I was confident I could complete, even with my never ending checklist and a needy toddler.  If you’re so inclined, you can pick up a paper template kit from Blair’s website HERE.  (Full disclosure-none of these are affiliate links.  I don’t get anything out of you making a purchase other than the satisfaction of knowing you’ll love this project as much as I do!)  Below is a picture from Blair’s book of the project and my beginning planning phase of the EPP.  Anytime I do EPP, I always sketch out a “map” of the project with a key for what fabric goes where.  I can’t ever remember what my original plan is without writing it down!

A table with some fabric and books on it
Handstitched EPP planning

You can see in the finished/progress pictures that I didn’t end up using some of my fabric selections.  I’m a die hard Anna Maria Horner lover, and I ended up mainly using one print of hers that I’m a sucker for fussy cutting.  There’s so much going on in the pattern of that one fabric that you can basically fussy cut it all over and get dozens of different looks.

A close up of some fabric pieces on a cutting mat
Handstitched step 1

I started by assembling the center with my fussy cut pieces.

A quilt with a large octagonal design on it.
Handstitched step 2

I absolutely LOVE incorporating stripes and straight lines into EPP.  I’m always surprised by the outcome.  See above.

A quilt with pink and red designs on it.
Handstitched step 3

There’s just something about those dull gold and maroons working with that magenta and mint that make them almost glow.

A quilt with a pink and purple design on it.
Spray basting onto my pillow front

So I decided this project would be a perfect throw pillow.  Once I started it, I knew I needed to see this EPP on a daily basis and not just hanging out in my sewing studio.  I grabbed my favorite spray baste and cut a pillow front a little larger than it needed to be finished so I could quilt it as well.  I used Chaco liner to mark the pillow front into quarters to easily find the center and centered the English Paper Piecing piece on the pillow front.  After I used just a smidge of spray baste, I hand appliqued it to the fabric (also AMH fabric-loominous).  All while sitting on my cozy couch with the husband 🙂

A spool of thread and some fabric on the floor
Appliqueing the EPP to the pillow front

I used Wonderfil 100 wt. thread to hand stitch.  I quilted some simple straight lines on the pillow front to add a little texture.  The Loominous fabric already has a grid motif on it, so I only did straight lines one way to save me some time.

A quilt is being made on the floor.
Quilting

 

A colorful quilt is sitting on top of a wooden chair.
My finished EPP pillow

I could have just stitched up the project and made a mini out of it, but we’re a pillow household.  I love how you have to really look at the center to see the English Paper Piecing template shapes.  The stripes really break it up and make you have to search for it.  I’m really hoping to start another of these soon once I get some other projects off my plate because it is so enjoyable to sew.  I put a lot of thought and even auditioned some of the fabrics before I started sewing, but you could just as easily make a scrappy version that would look outstanding as well.  I believe Blair’s version in the book is all Liberty (insert all the heart-eyed emojis here!!!).

Basically, I love this project.  I can sit my fanny on the couch and relax while my fingers do all the work.  And it makes me still feel like I’m being productive (while not actually having to do anything strenuous).  Win-win, right!?