What is English Paper Piecing Made Easy?

In previous posts, I shared what inspired me to create Sewforever Quilt Storage and Innovative Appliqué.

(You are welcome to visit those previous posts)

This post is about why I created English Paper Piecing Made Modern, which I have rebranded to English Paper Piecing Made Easy.

The short answer is to make the most of our creative time.

English Paper Piecing became popular. 

I saw the most extraordinary examples in blog posts, FB, Pinterest, Instagram, and everywhere.

I decided it was too time-consuming to undertake.                                   

Basting/gluing, whip-stitching, and pulling papers were not in our future. 

But the projects were so tempting.

                   

I am capable of doing traditional EPP. The turquoise hexagons at the top are basted. I ironed the edges of the other hexagons down to freezer paper.                 

The papers will still have to be pulled out at the end, and I tend to burn myself ironing little things.

                                            

I am capable of whip-stitching, but didn't want to.

Everything I design starts with the question.

How can I accomplish this more efficiently?

This is what led to English Paper Piecing Made Modern.

English Paper Piecing Made Easy are reusable self-stick templates that enable you to precisely cut, including focus/fussy cutting, and efficiently straight-stitch shapes without pre-turning, basting/gluing, whip-stitching, or pulling paper at the end of your project.

                                   

Straight stitch by hand or machine, saving time and improving results.

    

Straight stitch by hand.

Straight stitch by machine.

Move the templates from shape to shape without residue and with nothing to pull out later.

There are four packages of hexagons of different sizes: 3/4", 1", 1-1/2", and 2".                

Numbers vary based on what I can fit on a page.

This package is 1" Hexagons, 6 sheets per package.

                                         

 20 hexagons/sheet x 6 sheets = 120 hexagons, reusable 5-10 times = 720-1200. 

All the packages are priced at $14.95.

Hexagons are user-friendly; you can arrange them in any way you choose.                    

A pattern is not required for assembly.

Pinterest can fuel your imagination.

This package is La Passacaglia. 

                                             

It contains 6 sheets of self-stick templates, reusable until they no longer stick.  

How many times can you reuse them? 5-10 times.                                                     

I am sure I pieced my La Passacaglia quilt with 1 package.

The cost of a package is $14.95.

What is in the package?

38 - 1-1/4" Pentagons   Example 38 x 5-10 times = 109-380 usable templates.   

104 - 3/4" Pentagons. I won't bore you with the rest of the math.

43 - 1-1/4" Diamonds 36 degrees                                                                           

62 - 1-1/4" Diamonds 72 degrees                                                                             

20 - 1-1/4" Isosceles Triangles

These are the 5 shapes that make up the La Passacaglia pattern.                             

Please note the templates are a tool, not the pattern.                                             

The La Passacaglia pattern is published in the book Millefiori Quilts by Willyne Hammerstein.

This package is Daisy Chain.

You do not need to purchase a pattern for this design.

                                           

This historic design uses 1" hexagons, 1" jewels, and 2" diamonds.                

I will spare you the reusable numbers. Visit my product page for the details.

https://sewforever.com/products/daisy-chain-english-paper-piecing

I use scraps to make these Daisy Chains.

I fell into alternating jewels, which is unnecessary.                                    

You can make any combination you choose.

The 2" diamonds are added once all the stars are completed.

I put my unstitched combinations in a travel tin, along with a bobbin of neutral thread, tiny scissors, a needle, and the little leather dots to protect my finger.                               

I have stitched 102 stars.

                                           

I use Travel Tin for hexagons; this one is from Moda. 

I use the more extended tin for the Daisy Chain. 

              

You cut the templates apart.                                                                                 

They are designed to rotary cut the horizontal lines and trim the rest with paper scissors.

It goes surprisingly fast.

I would love to deliver the templates pre-cut, but I have not found a cost-effective option yet.

This is my Sewforever YouTube channel.

Please subscribe so you are notified when I post new videos.

Liking the videos is appreciated.

This video is about focus/fussy cutting.

The clear plastic templates I cut from template plastic.

I use them to determine if a motif will fit in the shape.

I shop with a set of clear plastic templates.

That way, I can determine if what is on the fabric will fit in a shape.

They are not used to cut anything out.

Other videos show how English Paper Piecing Made Easy can increase your productivity.      

Productivity = more projects we can complete.

I added a package of 6 blank sheets.

I may not have packaged the exact shapes you want, so a package of blank sheets enables you to print whatever you want.

Thank you for reading this post.

Please order English Paper Piecing Made Easy.

Please subscribe so you do not miss the next topic, which will help you make the most of your creative time.

Becky