The technique of wrapping fabric around paper templates to make patchwork pieces is known as English Paper Piecing or EPP (for short).
It is an simple way of creating large complex pieces of patchwork consisting of geometric shapes that tessellate or fit together without any gaps or overlaps. The finished pieces often look like tiled floors or mosaics and so you may find that it is also referred to as “mosaic patchwork”.
Typically, an English paper pieced quilt is made up of a series of repeating shapes in an all-over design as opposed to “blocks” surrounded by borders or frames as is common in other traditional patchwork techniques.
It is the perfect introduction to patchwork and quilting for those new to the craft due to its relative low cost, ease of portability and leisurely pace of construction.
As shown in the video above, the process of EPP is a simple one:
A fabric patch is cut out including a seam allowance so that it is larger than the paper template. This fabric patch is then wrapped around a paper template and held in place with tacking or basting stitches.
One or more pieces are then sewn together to create a larger piece of “fabric”.
This fabric can then be used as an alternative to a single piece of fabric for your sewing project such as bags or clothing or it can be layered with wadding (or batting) and a backing fabric and then quilted to make a quilt, table mat, wall hanging any many other items.
Supplies for English Paper Piecing
The very first thing I would like to say about EPP Tools and materials is, to start with what you have.
If you have nothing at all, then start with the best that you can afford.
This craft has been practiced for hundreds of years using only the most basic tools and equipment.
It is extremely easy to get caught up in the fervour of the latest quilting gadget or gizmo to be released which promises to revolutionise the way that you sew. My sewing room is littered with them - but I always return to the same basic tools:
