An Alternative Method To English Paper Piecing. No Paper required

[@sherriekeller319]

I call your method hand piecing. I don't see it as English Paper Piecing because you aren't using paper shapes. What you are doing is how I learned hand quilting many years ago, cutting my templates from cardboard. I agree it is very relaxing, but I find that to be true with EPP too. Your piecing is spot on. Either way takes time for sure. Linda Franz has a great method with Inklingo, printing shapes on fabric backed with freezer paper. Check out her web site.

[@HeidiCreates]

I find all hand sewing relaxing as well. However you look at it, it’s another way to assemble those complex shapes and I hope this is helpful to someone that’s possibly been turned off by EPP for whatever reason. I have seen that way of piecing you mentioned. An additional great way to do it. Thanks so much for commenting and your input.

[@zellamckenzie1130]

That is hand piercing the way us old folks have done quilting for years. Paper piecing is the new way of doing it.

[@HeidiCreates]

@@zellamckenzie1130 that’s the way I learned! It seems faster to me than messing with the papers. Happy creating!

[@1955dmb]

Sherri Keller It is hand piecing but I'm super excited to try it because of all the great EPP patterns out there. I have tried basting to the paper template and gluing the fabric to the template. I don't enjoy pulling the papers out and many times I feel it distorts the work. I also have done it with the heavy duty freezer paper, but still have to deal with the basting issue that I can't seem to be happy with. How do you handle this part of the technique?

[@sandradangio3091]

I love this method. Will never go back!!

[@margm4]

Very interesting. Not sure it’s faster than the traditional paper piecing though. Seems a bit more fiddly. But if that’s what you prefer, all for the good😌🇦🇺

[@CM-xk3gr]

I love the way the stitching is done! I've got some pieces cut. I'll have to try it.

[@judykiesow3922]

This is a lot of extra work but I do like to see how others do it. Thanks

[@HeidiCreates]

You think so? For me, it’s so much quicker than dealing with the extra steps involving the paper. But it’s really about everyone finding the method that works best for them. Thanks for your input.

[@marshawallace7522]

I am just getting started on EPP. I can see that this method may work just as well with fewer steps. I will be trying both methods. Thanks for sharing!

[@meatdog]

This is what I enjoy about watching other techniques. I have to say your way eould make me go screaming into the night. Like using the papers and basting and removing would do for you. Im glad there are lots of ways to achieve the same resilts. Thanks for sharing but I will stick to the traditional way. BTW just for me, the very thought of fussy cutting makes me cringe and I would never do it. LOL.

[@denisepettit8534]

Your work is beautiful. I so enjoy seeing many methods to put in my wheel house. It can open my mind to solving any issues that come up.

[@claudettemonty4077]

If I was sewing like you without paper, I will glue the seams allowances behind when it’s sewn!

[@HeidiCreates]

That is certainly an alternative. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Happy creating!

[@rosesbaker]

NICE!!!! LOOKING FORWARDING TO TRYING THIS....

[@patg8932]

I love to do both. I punch holes in the papers for easy removal when english paper piecing. I love hand piecing too, it all depends on the pattern I'm making as to which method I choose.

[@HeidiCreates]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@terryech9110]

When we used to hand piece quilts like this we used pencil to mark the stitch lines so you wouldn’t have to worry about ironing removing the lines.

[@HeidiCreates]

That’s a great tip as well!

[@1955dmb]

Thanks for this great technique! I am going to try it. I have a very complex pattern that I might not even be able to do but this just might make it work for me. Can't wait to try it!

[@HeidiCreates]

I hope it helps! Happy creating!

[@1955dmb]

@@HeidiCreates I am in the process of a project right now using your method. I had a Violet Craft rooster pattern already purchased but wasn't feeling the technique using the paper. So I want to tell you what I did in addition to your method. Before I traced each pattern piece onto the fabric, I treated the fabric with Terial Magic. Have you used that? It is a natural starch but super heavy duty and if you choose to leave it in, it never attracts moths. You can also wash it out. But it has the effect of working with paper so the pieces do not fray and I found them easier to work with than when I did not treat the fabric with the starch. It makes your method even easier to perform. I am loving it. Most likely after I finish the stitching portion, I will iron the back and then quilt it and then wash out the Terial Magic since I plan to make a pillow out of it. If I choose to make a wall hanging, I will leave the starch in. I originally tried a beautiful pattern with super tiny pieces (under 1/2") without the Terial Magic and those little pieces wanted to stretch and distort without the paper templates. I will try that pattern again with the starch. I'm sure you could use another starch but this one does not leave a powdery residue and it literally makes the fabric like paper. It isn't cheap and I wish I could find out the formula and make my own, but apparently it is top secret. Don't blame her, but I'm frugal, lol. Anyway, I wanted to let you know once again how much I appreciate your video. It opens up a lot of patterns I didn't feel like doing the old way.

[@HeidiCreates]

@@1955dmb thanks for the tip! You’ll have to let me know how it goes. I’ve never used Terial Magic...now I’ve got a new goodie to experiment with! 😊

[@lindabrown2868]

I agree this is hand piecing but I find it very relaxing.

[@bettybridwell5383]

This is an excellent video, thank you. I stuggle with the paper piecing cause its ackward to hold while sewing, whip stitch never seems to look nice, ive tried every stitch and nothing seems to look nice, and im a perfectionist, so with papers in did not work for me. This is perfect, great video and Im in agreement with her in this video, makes me want to make actually do this quilt.

[@trduesing4117]

Excellent! I want to try.

[@HeidiCreates]

Do! I find hand sewing quite relaxing.

[@candacekerr4139]

Love your work! I came by your videos while looking for quilt Artists. I’m in Central Wisconsin and retired and looking for something other than Large Quilts.

[@HeidiCreates]

Thank you! I don’t generally work with large quilts. Tend to do smaller artistic pieces. Wonderful to hear from a fellow Wisconsinite! Happy creating!

[@wendywilson1736]

I do get that you won't have all of the dealing with the stiffness of the cardstock, or even paper, in your way. But, I'm wondering if your tracing, and cutting of the fabric as you go, doesn't take as much prep as the traditional method? This is basically hand piecing as others have mentioned. I think each of us has to find what works for our own preferences. There really are so many ways to reach our desired end product. And we may as well enjoy it..💁‍♀️

[@Marysharp6366]

I did epp like this in 1985 as I did’nt know about using papers at that time.

[@nicolebaumann5667]

You are a genious! Thank you

[@pamfrank3962]

Well you have found a way to eliminate the paper pieces. I am going to try...it may be to exacting for me..but the piecesare fiddley. Thank you for sharing

[@ritaleferink1803]

I'm wondering how big the hexagon shape is. Also the 6 point star shape. Thanks! This I can do! I strongly dislike the paper part in both EPP and FPP.

[@joburleigh7983]

Similar concept is Inklingo which would help speed up your process if you wanted

[@Anne5440_]

I found a product called hexiform that is made in England. It comes pre-cut like papers,but you don't need to take it out once pieced. It stays in and gives a nice texture to the block when finished. I find it is less cost than buying pre-cut papers. You can glue baste the forms in like glue basting paper. It works very well for small hexies, under 3/4s an inch. I might try your method for inch or larger hexies but knowing me after 40+ yrs quilting would wind up with the fuss and bother of pressing every seam as it is done with one of those tiny irons. They are a bit dangerous to use too.

[@zainylainy1]

This is not English paper piecing, it is called hand piecing. A whole different method. A good method for sure, just different!

[@HeidiCreates]

Yep. That’s why I call it an alternative in the title. Thanks for watching!

[@amandasmith1236]

OMG. This is such a clever idea.

[@barbarajennings8392]

I like your idea but I am curious why the 3/8 seam if not using paper pieces. Could one do same with 1/4 seam?

[@HeidiCreates]

Absolutely! People who do English paper piecing seem to be comfortable with the 3/8 inch seam allowance. But you could definitely do 1/4 inch seam allowance.

[@judithjones4041]

Such a work of art

[@HeidiCreates]

Thank you!

[@jefferywilson2399]

I'll keep the papers: this method seems to require far too much checking that you're on track as you sew. The original method doesn't require as much flipping back and forth to check your stitches, imo.

[@HeidiCreates]

As with any new technique, there is a learning curve. I find that I move along quite quickly and the glance behind isn’t adding any time to the stitching. But you do you and find what works best for you. This is just an alternative.

[@ruthedwards9217]

So....this can not be called English paper piecing, as there is no paper. Hand sewn piecing, yes.

[@HeidiCreates]

Alternative is the key word here.

[@dianegoo6438]

Too slow for me & the back tends to be too messy for me