English Paper Piecing: Beyond the Basics

Class Preview

Go beyond the hexagon and see how fussy cutting takes your piecing to the next level. Itching to build your English paper piecing (EPP) skills with a more advanced project? EPP aficionado Helen Stubbings shares quick and easy techniques to help you piece a large quilt by hand. Learn how to fussy cut to dramatically maximize the impact of your quilt, plus see how to work the quilt in sections, keeping the project portable and fun! Discover how to sew various shapes beyond hexagons, including diamonds, trapezoids and jewels. Finish your work by appliquéing it to whole cloth for an eye-catching quilt that’s sure to be the perfect accent in any room of the house. With Helen’s step-by-step guidance, you’ll combine EPP and fussy cutting to transform your quilts into dazzling works of art.

The Basics

Meet Helen and start with a brief overview of English paper piecing. Helen shares a few ways to prepare your templates and fabric pieces. Then she goes over the fabric and tools you’ll need for your quilt. Throughout class, she uses her preferred method of gluing the edges to iron-on paper, which you don’t have to remove when the quilt is finished.

Fussy Cutting

Learn how to maximize the visual impact of your fabric by fussy cutting: deliberately cutting specific areas of fabric to feature each shape. Understand what kinds of fabric work best for fussy cutting, and how to use tools to make the process easier. Plus, explore mirrored fussy cutting for truly fabulous results.

Hexagon Motifs

Dive into your project, starting with hexagon motifs. Helen shows you how to efficiently sew smaller units together, and rotate focal units as desired to achieve the look you want. After that, add kite and diamond shapes to the hexagon motifs.

Center Motif

See how to glue kite units and sew them together to create a six-point star. Build on this shape to create several more motifs, including the center of your quilt.

Jewel Star Motifs

Now, approach more intricate pieces as you learn to sew the kite stars and surrounding shapes, including diamonds, trapezoids, and hexagons, to complete your units. You’re almost there!

Finishing

Once all of your pieces are together, learn how to remove papers (if using that technique). Helen shares a few different ways to finish the edges of your quilt. Then she demonstrates securing the piece to a whole cloth with machine appliqué for a smooth, easy finish.