Skip to content
Menu
Quiltblox Website Logo - 4 Quiltblox.com

Quilting Patterns and all Kinds of Quilty Treasures

  • HOME
    • RETURN POLICY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • PDF DOWNLOAD PRODUCTS – Frequently Asked Questions
  • ABOUT
    • LET’S CONNECT
    • CONTACT ME
  • SHOP
    • Apparel and Wearable Art
    • Batting
    • Books
    • Cutting Mats
    • Embroidery
    • English Paper Piecing
    • Fabric Marking Tools
    • Free Motion Quilting
    • Foundation Paper Piecing
    • Fusibles
    • Hand Sewing
    • Interfacing
    • Irons and Pressing Tools
    • Laundry and Fabric Prep
    • Lighting
    • Needles (Machine)
    • Notions
    • Patterns
    • Pins
    • Quilt Labels
    • Quiltblox Patterns
    • Rotary Cutters and Blades
    • Rulers and Templates
    • Scissors
    • Thread
    • Tools
  • BLOG
  • LEARN
    • APPLIQUE
    • CREATE AN INTERESTING QUILT BACK
    • FABRIC CARE AND PREP
    • GIVING BACK
    • HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES
    • PARTIAL SEAMS
    • QUILT LABELS
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • BIRTHDAY CLUB
  • PARTNERS
  • WHOLESALE
  • EVENTS
Quiltblox Website Logo - 4 Quiltblox.com

Quilting Patterns and all Kinds of Quilty Treasures

Quilting on the Go - English Paper Piecing - Front Cover

English Paper Piecing – Here I go!

By Deb - Quiltblox on July 12, 2022August 5, 2022

In a recent eNewsletter (and a post here on the website) – I asked you about your experiences with English Paper Piecing (EPP). I had lots of questions about techniques, what are your favorite shapes to work on, and what are your favorite tools to use.

Hexagon Acrylic Template Set - Image 5

Here are the questions I asked you: Along with a summary of your answers to my questions.

  • Do you prefer hexagons or do you like some other shape (diamonds, fans, etc.)?
    • Most of you suggested starting with hexagons and then trying out other shapes after I get the hang of the process.
  • What size shapes do you find to be easiest to work with?
    • Your suggestions were pretty evenly split between the 1″ (finished) Hexagons and those preferring larger (4 – 5 in finished) hexagons.
  • Do you like the removable papers with the hole – or without?
    • Again you answers were evenly split between papers with a hole and those that don’t want the hole in the center of the papers.
  • Do you like the shapes that stay in place – instead of needing to remove them?
    • Only one of you that responded had tried the new leave in paper shapes. I think they are more of a light weight interfacing material – I’m going to get some and try it out.
  • Do you use a glue stick or a glue pen – or some other way to hold the fabric in place while you are turning the edges under?
    • Most of you said to avoid the glue stick – it’s too messy. Instead you recommended the glue pen. Several of you preferred to hand baste the fabric around the shapes.
  • What size seam allowance do you prefer?
    • The consensus seems to be either 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch for the seam allowance. That makes sense to me.
  • What other tips or advice do you have for me as I dip my toes into these unfamiliar waters?
    • Several of you told me to just jump in and give it a try.
    • Experiment with different size shapes.
    • Use clear templates to fussy cut the fabric – make sure the templates include the seam allowance.

So – Here’s My Plan

I bought a copy of Quilting on the Go – English Paper Piecing by Sharon Burgess. It has a really clear introduction to the basics of EPP – along with a bunch of projects I can make with my completed shapes.

I’m getting started with 1″ hexagons. I bought the shapes without holes and I can punch my own holes easily enough if I decide they are easier to use that way.

To start with – I chose an all-in-one Hexagon Template by Dritz – meaning that I can fussy cut multiple sizes using the same template. Once I decide which size I prefer to work with – I think I’ll get the full set of Hexagon Templates that include a different template for each size of a hexagon. I think this would make the fussy cutting easier in the long run.

I also purchased the Sewline Fabric Glue Pen with extra refills so I can give that a try. I will also try hand basting as well to see which method works best for me.

Quilting on the Go - Front Cover
Sewline Glue Pen with Refills
English Paper Piecing - 1 Inch Papers - Set of 600

The fabrics I’m using are leftover scraps from the products I used to make and sell wholesale. It’s a huge assortment of wildly different designs, colors, and graphic images. My goal is to make the hexagon flowers in such a way that each individual fabric is celebrated. I do have an idea in mind for a non-traditional setting once I get enough hexagon flowers made. That’s a long way down the road – but I’m excited to get started.

After I try out all the ideas you shared with me – I’ll share my progress as I get some flowers made up and settle on a technique that works well for me.


Quiltblox on Instagram
Quiltblox on Facebook
Quiltblox on Pinterest
Join my eNewsletter List
Join the Birthday Club
Join my eNewsletter List
Join the Birthday Club
Share with a friend

Post navigation

My English Paper Piecing Journey is About to Begin
The Quiltblox eNewsletter – June 15, 2022

Related Posts

May 2022 Block Remix Challenge - Week 4

May 2022 Block Challenge – The Reveal

June 9, 2022
Read More
A Quilty Christmas - Day 5

A Quilty Christmas – Day 5

December 5, 2022
Read More
A Quilty Christmas - Day 9

A Quilty Christmas – Day 9

December 9, 2022
Read More
×
  • Shop All Products
    • Apparel and Wearable Art
    • Batting
    • Books
    • Cutting Mats
    • Embroidery
    • English Paper Piecing
    • Fabric Marking Tools
    • Free Motion Quilting
    • Foundation Paper Piecing
    • Fusibles
    • Gifts
    • Hand Sewing
    • Interfacing
    • Irons and Pressing Tools
    • Laundry and Fabric Prep
    • Lighting
    • Needles (Machine)
    • Notions
    • Patterns
    • Pins
    • Puzzles
    • Quilt Labels
    • Quiltblox Patterns
    • Rotary Cutters and Blades
    • Rulers and Templates
    • Scissors
    • Thread
    • Tools
    • Trolleys, Totes and Cases
Subscribe to the Quiltblox eNewsletter Today

Recent Posts

  • I Heart You Quilt by Ellen March

    I Heart You Quilt by Ellen March

    January 29, 2023
  • The Quiltblox eNewsletter - January 21, 2023

    The Quiltblox eNewsletter - January 21, 2023

    January 20, 2023
  • Quiltblox 2023 Customer Survey Results

    Quiltblox 2023 Customer Survey Results

    January 19, 2023
  • The Quiltblox eNewsletter - January 14, 2023

    The Quiltblox eNewsletter - January 14, 2023

    January 14, 2023
  • A Fabric Storage Goal for 2023 - Tame the Stash

    A Fabric Storage Goal for 2023 - Tame the Stash

    January 10, 2023

Upcoming Events

Jan 30
January 6 @ 9:00 am - February 11 @ 5:00 pm PST

Emergence – Fiber Art from Concept to Stitch

Feb 17
February 17 @ 10:00 am - February 26 @ 5:00 pm PST

Quilt Run 101 – Shop Hop

Mar 10
March 10 @ 9:00 pm - March 11 @ 4:00 pm PST

Northwest Quilters 46th Festival of Quilts

Mar 18
March 18 @ 10:00 am - March 19 @ 4:00 pm UTC+0

Fanfare of Quilts

Mar 24
March 24 @ 10:00 am - March 25 @ 5:00 pm PDT

Take Flight – Tri-Cities Quilt Guild Quilt Show

View Calendar

FIND ME ON

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest

SUBSCRIBE

Get the Newsletter
Join the Birthday Club

CONTACT

MAILING ADDRESS:

QUILTBLOX
PO Box 3
Beaverton, OR 97075


MESSAGES

Voice  / Text - 503.644.5678
Copyright © 2023 Quiltblox. All Rights Reserved.