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Cool sewers do English Paper Piecing

October 10, 2013 by Scarlett Burroughs

Hexi how to English Paper Piece

All the cool people, particularly hip moms, are taking up EPP. No, it’s not a new diet or exercise regimen, it’s English Paper Piecing – a technique used to make hexagons (aka hexies). Hand sewing is mobile so can go from the doctor’s office to the soccer field allowing you to get lots down while you wait. Keep going and you can make a quilt (like a Grandmother’s Flower Garden), embellish a garment or bag, or really anything you dream up.

Heather of The Sewing Loft caught the bug while deciding what to do with small bits of fabric scraps she had leftover from other projects. She shares a free hexie template download on her blog. Also included in her post is a project with full instructions. Go HERE to learn more.

Looking for Quilting supplies and Fabric? Check out Fat Quarter Shop

Wanting more Hexagon quilt ideas? Check out these Hexagon Quilt books we found.

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Comments

  1. Brenda Ackerman says

    June 28, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    Good Morning Scarlett! I have tried EPP and it is just not in my skill level. LOL. I know that with practice and patience it could be; but, I have so many other techniques that I am good at and truly do love (plus tons of unfinished and plans for starting new projects) that I just do not want to take the time to learn something like this. Do you ever come across this sort of dilemma? Again though, thank you so much for sharing all of this information! Have a fantastic creative day!

Have you read?

In the Garden Layer Cake – A Bloom-Filled Fabric Collection for Spring Sewing

Some fabric collections feel pretty, some feel useful, and then there are those rare ones that instantly spark a dozen ideas the moment you see them. The In the Garden Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop falls firmly into that last category. From the moment I opened the pack, it felt like stepping into a watercolor garden—soft, romantic, full of movement, and brimming with detail that invites you to slow down and really look.

This collection brings together an elegant mix of florals, garden motifs, and soothing color palettes that feel like they were created for spring quilting. Instead of loud novelty prints, the designer chose a gentle balance of botanical sketches, scattered blossoms, tiny seed patterns, and larger feature florals that work beautifully in both traditional and modern layouts.

What struck me most is how thoughtfully the color stories are arranged. Each print blends seamlessly into the next, giving you a spectrum that includes soft rose pinks, leafy greens, lavender tones, fresh sky blues, rich corals, and delicate neutrals. It’s the kind of palette that instantly feels “quilty” in the best way—inviting, calm, and incredibly easy to mix and match. You can tell the designer planned this for maximum versatility.

Layer cakes are one of the most beginner-friendly precuts, but this collection elevates them with a sense of sophistication. The prints are strong enough to shine in simple patterns, but subtle enough to support more complex designs. Whether you prefer classic half-square triangles, framed squares, modern grid quilts, or something scrappier, this fabric adapts beautifully. It’s also a wonderful choice for table runners, spring wall hangings, and even quilted bags or home décor projects.

One of the nicest surprises with this layer cake is how it manages to feel seasonal without becoming locked into one particular holiday or theme. While the palette is undeniably perfect for spring, the prints themselves are timeless enough to work year-round. A floral quilt made from this collection would look just as lovely on a summer sunroom sofa as it would draped over a guest bed in winter.

The fabric quality is exactly what you’d expect from Fat Quarter Shop—crisp, clean cuts, vibrant printing, and a smooth hand that makes piecing feel effortless. Nothing is too thin or too stiff, and the colors are even more beautiful in person than they appear online.

If you enjoy sewing projects that feel light, fresh, and inspired by nature, In the Garden is a collection worth adding to your stash. It has all the qualities quilters look for: balance, versatility, gentle movement, and that spark of creativity that makes you want to start a project immediately. Whether you’re planning a gift quilt, treating yourself to a new spring project, or simply building your fabric library with a set of prints that will play nicely with others, this layer cake is a thoughtful and inspiring choice.

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