Have you ever tried EPP (English Paper Piecing)? Have you ever heard of it? Today I’m going to tell you all of the reasons why I love EPP, and why you should give it a try. Plus, if you are ready to dip your toes in on this new technique, I have the perfect class coming up and will hold your hand, virtually, while you give it a try.
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I discovered EPP way back in the mists of time, in 1999, as part of my compulsive watching of every episode of Simply Quilts on PBS. Pati Shambaugh did an episode demonstrating her plastic templates to hand piece hexagons, and I was hooked. Rather than marking lines on the fabric, with these templates, you wrap the fabric around the template, tacking the corners down, then stitch along the fold lines. Your points are perfect, and stitches are invisible.
I went out and immediately bought a few packs of 1″ hexagon templates, and enough pastel fabrics to make a king sized Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt. I loved the technique immediately. Unfortunately, I hated my fabrics. They are beautiful, but pastels are not my thing. I would pick it up and work on it a bit, then put it down again over the next few years. I had a toddler at the time, then another toddler, and hand sewing didn’t give me the feels I needed. Also, I had boys, so I felt that a pastel quilt would be unappreciated. I did eventually finish it, and won some ribbons, too. It is just a baby quilt, but it is 100% handmade.
Pro tip – only work with fabrics you love. Life is short, and motivation is limited.
Over the years I did a few other EPP projects. Little drawstring bags, some appliqué, etc. It wasn’t until I discovered La Passion by Grit Kovacs, in 2010, that I really lost my heart to English Paper Piecing. La Passion used 1/2″ hexagons, which are impressively small, but they go together really quickly, because the seams are so short. Once again, I bought a lot of templates, but this time I didn’t buy as much fabric. Just a fat quarter bundle to start.
Since discovering La Passion, I have explored so many more aspects of this art form. Moravian Stars are a perpetual favorite. I’ve also played with appliquéing the units onto backgrounds, which is very satisfying, and fast! Plus, my friend Reyna has a fantastic class teaching how to draft your own patterns, which is tremendous fun.
Why I love EPP
- Portability – one little bag is all you need to tote your supplies
- Simplicity – you only need paper, fabric, scissors, needle and thread to get started
- Gadgets – this is a gadget rich field – use as many or few as you like
- Flexibility – you can do a quilt 100% EPP, or just scatter a few pieces around for impact
- Dark magic – you can make 3-d objects and feel like a wizard
- Frugality – you can pretend your hoarding of tiny scraps isn’t crazy – you are making the ultimate scrap quilt
- Time saving – I always have a project on hand when I go to the doctor, or bring kids to activities. No more wasted time.
EPP is the ultimate in portability. I alternate between having my stuff in a small bag, or a little fishing tackle box. It depends on where I am going. The tackle box is usually for travel, while the little bag can be grabbed when Im headed out for errands. Lately it is mostly taking Mom to the doctor. When my kids were younger, it was a host of doctors, sports, and never ending school functions.
Places I have done EPP
- Airplanes
- Trains – travel and commuter
- Automobiles – mostly basting, as I can get car sick
- My backyard
- Hotels all over the world
- In bed
- Cruise ships
- On the sofa
- Small boats
- Beaches. So many beaches
- Sporting events – both with my children and professional athletes
- Restaurants
- Airports – where everyone wants to tell me that their grandmother used to knit them quilts. (Apparently she was a magician).
- Doctor and dentist offices
- Jury Duty – just the waiting to get sent home part
I personally like to jump into the deep end of the creative pool at every opportunity. If you are more cautious, I am teaching an Introduction to EPP class at Gotham Quilts this month. Over three evenings we will make a very small EPP project from start to finish. I will teach you how to EPP like I do, and we will use a mini charm pack to make a cute little quilt. Perfect for a dolly if you are fortunate enough to have a dolly, or a small person with a dolly in your life. Come play with me! (And realize, that as soon as I know you have the skills, I’m pulling you into the deep end with me!)
Past EPP Projects
There are so many more EPP projects I’ve done on this site. Just go over to the “Categories” tab on the right and scroll until you see the English Paper Piecing option. Enjoy!
I’m working on a small EPP block right now. I think I’d love it more if I didn’t feel like I had a deadline, but even that is self imposed. I should relax into it more. I have loved watching your handwork and hope you have a great workshop!
I can’t wait to see what you are working on, Yvonne! I had no idea you enjoy doing handwork. Having a deadline on hand piecing always ruins it for me a little bit. I have a lot more fun when it is a project with no deadlines. I did do a throw sized EPP in one month recently, which wasn’t as enjoyable as it could have been. It will be nice when it is published, though.
It’s just a block for a BOM that I’m a designer for later in the year. The block for April is a hexie EPP block. Still plugging away. I’d ideally like to get it finished in the next week or so, but we’ll see!!
I so agree with every word you write here. After my first EPP try, I promised myself to never touch hexies. But after my first La Passion, I started a new, and it’s more than half finished by now. Good luck with your workshop. And please tell everyone that they will not just have a hobby, but a key to know the best people in the world.
I was so happy when we were doing La Passion together – I did my best to keep up with you for a while, but you are too fast! I enjoy watching your little one come together.
I love hand-work but do so little of it these days; but for my trip later this summer, I will bring one. I have some handp-piecing projects that I am really anxious to get going again. I am planning on working on one this summer on the porch, maybe it will go on my scheduled airline trip!