HEXAGONS WITHOUT PAPERS | Hand Piecing Tutorial | EPP

[@brendabryant60]

Love this is the way I've didn't it for so many years. Love to see younger generation interested in hand quilting ❤

[@Marysharp6366]

I made an hexagon quilt for my Grandson about 40 years ago, I did it without papers as I did’nt know that you should use papers. I prefer to do hexagons without using papers. I really enjoyed you video. Regards from New Zealand.

[@petmomful2260]

It did not occur to me to do it without papers. I am going to try it. Yesterday, my husband found a very old little baby doll that he found at his uncle's house. His uncle died a few months ago, and he owned the building and it is hoarded. They are cleaning out the building and they are finding some treasures. I am trying not to keep many things. It is possible that this little doll is my mother-in-law's, but she is 94 and in hospice, and doesn't talk, so no one can ask her. This little doll is very very old and is quite dirty. I am going to clean her up gently, make her a new little jumper, and then piece a little quilt for her as you have shown here. That will be a real pleasure, and will suit her well I think. Thank you for the instruction. I hope she is not haunted! lol

[@susanmei9980]

Show her to your MIL. You just might see her eyes light up! 🌟

[@glorimarcruz7824]

I love your doll story , could you give us an update on what you' ve done to it ?

[@petmomful2260]

@@susanmei9980 Too late, she passed away. But that is a good idea.

[@petmomful2260]

@@glorimarcruz7824 All I have done so far is gently clean her, and I named her Annabelle. I am so tied up with other projects that I have not made her a dress yet. The dress she had on literally is crumbling away, but I kept it for help in coming up with a pattern.

[@petmomful2260]

@@glorimarcruz7824 I also found a really dirty 1950's metal pantry, they were going to throw in the dumpster. We took it home and cleaned it. My husband sanded it and my neighbor, who paints cars, painted it for me. I now have this bright yellow, shiny pantry in my teal sewing room with the doors open and my quilts displayed. I really love it and it provides lots of storage. I also found some great baskets.

[@sandybruce9092]

Way back in 1979 when I took my first quilt classes, we were taught how to hand piece - no machine at that time! And pretty much exactly the way you started except we didn’t knot at the beginning but did a small back stitch first. The rest of his yiu showed his to stitch us exactly the way I learned and my original squares are still perfectly sewn together - just not in a quilt ( my bad!!,). Thank you for showing this technique and it really is easier than using the papers inside and folding over! And Etsy still offers many choices if precut hexagons - I have an Accuquilt machine and can cut a few different sizes of fabrics which is also very helpful and saves some $$$. Hand piecing is wonderful to do, ice and calming and also very social as you can chat with friends while hand sewing. I. Going to teach this technique when 2024 rolls around!

[@stitchwithrachel]

That's a cool back story! I wish there were still classes like that readily available but I guess we have the powers of KZbin now. I'm glad to hear that your squares are still intact, I was questioning if these stitches were durable but lots of people said they are. Happy stitching xx

[@susanmei9980]

Me too. Except my first quilt class was in the early ‘80s. I pieced a (king sized-of course!) grandmother’s fan quilt top. It was such fun to do as a take along project. And one I cd do while talking to others (unlike knitting). It’s not quite finished and packed away somewhere. I really need to get it out and finish it! 😂

[@jacquelineknox1977]

This is the first time I have heard of hand piecing. I can see how relaxing it would be to just sit and stitch without worrying about papers. Thank you for explaining it so well and I look forward to the next episode. xx

[@stitchwithrachel]

You're welcome Jacqueline, I hadn't heard of it until a few months ago and I thought the only way to do hand work was with papers and its really enjoyable and easier on my hands. xx

[@sandybruce9092]

Hand stitching has been done for hundreds and hundreds of years, long before we had sewing machines! Thus is the way clothing was always sewn.

[@janmorrison7924]

Thanks for sharing I find hand piecing hexis is best method and papers do not give the finish that hand piecing does. You are an excellent instructor.

[@stitchwithrachel]

Thank you so much Jan xx

[@marionmathews9852]

I was amazed at the end how beautifully pressed the hexagons are on the wrong side. Great tutorial and beautiful result. I’ll definitely be giving this a try at some point.

[@stitchwithrachel]

Sometimes I love the back of patchwork, but sometimes it looks a hot mess when I go for the flatten rather than pressed seams 🤣

[@marianrooth9514]

You and Emma Jones are my hero’s.

[@stitchwithrachel]

aww thats so lovely - thank you! I love Emma's work too xx

[@lzal9204]

Interesting! I have never heard of American hand piecing (I’m in America). I’ve only heard of English paper piecing. I suppose we just cut out the “American” and just refer to it as hand piecing but I’ll have to do some research on it. Does seem a lot easier than using the papers. You just have to be precise with your cutting and measuring the seam allowance. I will have to try this!! ❤

[@Ptargret]

Many of the unfinished vintage quilt tops I have found look like they were made with this method. Thanks for sharing!

[@pattijacobs1]

Thanks for the clear instructions! I have been doing a good bit of patchwork this way and you are right, it is quicker than using papers.

[@stitchwithrachel]

You're welcome, yeah it really is quicker!

[@ireneoakley6259]

Hi Rachel, I have don EPP but never like this without papers. Thank you for showing this. I will definitely have a go.x

[@stitchwithrachel]

You're welcome! Happy stitching

[@Woody1uk]

Brilliant Rachel, really looking forward to this mini series. Thank you x

[@stitchwithrachel]

I'm glad, I'm excited to share everything with everyone.. I've been a hand stitching rabbit hole xx

[@kara1084]

Great tutorial! I love hand piecing. I hope it becomes more popular. It’s especially wonderful for squares and curves. I see people making EPP quilts with plain squares and can’t help thinking how much nicer the process and often even the result is with traditional hand piecing for squares in particular. I love EPP for hexagons though - thread basting and whip stitching hexies is my meditation.

[@stitchwithrachel]

I have to admit I started an EPP 2inch square quilt.. I wish I could turn back time 🤣 I wonder if I could hand piece the rest and match up the seams in the two techniques somehow.

[@sandybruce9092]

Kara - I completely agree - hand piecing is really lots of fun and even though a bit longer it makes a wonderful piece and the seams can be pressed which ever way is better after sewing is all done!

[@carolbyrne3241]

So interest Rachel, and such a lovely video. Thank you ❤

[@stitchwithrachel]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching xx

[@susangage9140]

I’ve recently started epp with hexagons, I think I will try this

[@stitchwithrachel]

Yeah, give it a go and see if you like this technique, message me if you have any questions xx

[@RebeccaStokes-g6t]

Thank you!!! This method looks much more enjoyable for me than using the papers. You gave excellent instructions.☺️

[@nildamager1649]

Beautiful. Nice hand work when away from sewing machine

[@ceciliaarnqvist4468]

Absolutely lovely. I came across an other method using stamps to cut out the pieces. The stamps did have both outlines to cut out and stitch line a 1/4 seam allowance. I bought the shapes in a shop at Quilt festival in Houston 2007 and haven’t seen them in Europe after. Thanks for a very instructive video. Bye from Sweden, Cecilia

[@stitchwithrachel]

Hi Cecilia, Thank you for watching. I have seen lots of video with the stamps aswell, it looks so quick and easy but I cannot find them in the UK. I did see an etsy shop selling them in the Netherlands. The shop is called "jeannekesEtsyShop"

[@beverlyhovatter2302]

This is a new way for me. I like it much better. Thank you.

[@missym5440]

I started paper piecing with this method. Now I use iron-on papers and that makes it easier for me. I don’t really like the papers that aren’t iron-on because they are too “fiddly” for me. Different methods work for different people and it’s always interesting to see how others do their method. ❤

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

Great job Rachel- Wonderful and helpful info. My thumbs get sore when hand sewing my hexies with papers. So I switched to brown paper sack instead of card stock. But this looks really efficient. Thank You🥰❣

[@stitchwithrachel]

You're welcome, I hope you manage to give it a try! When I do EPP my none stitching hand hurts from holding the work but I don't get that with this technique

[@helenogorman9467]

You explain it very well thank you

[@stitchwithrachel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bestcrossroad]

Hi Rachel! New subscriber to your channel. I’ve been dragging my feet in starting EPP due to paper part of it. But, your technique seems doable and perhaps it’ll entice me to start doing EPP. Thank you for featuring this method. Take care. 🌷tess

[@stitchwithrachel]

You're welcome, i wish you the best of luck starting out, you'll be bitten by the hand quilting bug! It's incurable xx

[@mayolson2]

I just found her and I agree with your comment. I am tired of all those papers!

[@diannenaworensky6698]

First time watching your channel. Watching this video it does make sense. I prefer hand sewing to machine sewing. Thanks !!!!! ✌🏻♥️

[@pattigreer9476]

Thank you Rachel! I love learning new techniques.

[@RejeanneCote-f8e]

Love your accent. It’s nice to have a variety of things to do in different ways. Thank you for your video.

[@glorimarcruz7824]

Oh my goodness, I loved this way of hexagon,i will try it ,thank you so much for sharing your talent 🤗🪡🧵🧶🧷

[@elizabethsmyth8057]

This is lovely Rachel, I thought it would have been more difficult to piece this way but it actually looks quite straightforward. I’m really enjoying your tutorials xXx

[@stitchwithrachel]

So glad you are enjoying them, let me know how you get on. I thought it would be complicated too but its really not. The key is small stitches and regular back stitching xx

[@nanigail395]

Love this method-like you said-my great grandmother did it this way-I will try it❣️ Thank you so much for this tutorial 🥰

[@SuperRocketdog1]

Hi Rachel love your videos 👍years ago I used to do quilting I only did hexagons and used paper! Wish I’d known about this way!😂 thank you for doing these videos.🥰🥰💕🐶🐶👍🇬🇧

[@stitchwithrachel]

You are welcome, I hope you give it a try sometime x

[@debrablanson2288]

I find this very interesting, definitely will try it.❤❤❤

[@stitchwithrachel]

I hope you enjoy it x

[@pamdonaldson6215]

Thank you for sharing Rachel. I will definitely give this a try. ~Pam in South Carolina

[@stitchwithrachel]

Happy stitching! X

[@carolejones5530]

I’m in SC also and just learning to EpP

[@pamdonaldson6215]

@@carolejones5530 Hi Carole. I live in Florence.

[@MKMenchon]

I think whatever hand piecing method that you use, it’s about finding the method that works best for you individually. I didn’t enjoy hand piecing until I got into EPP - with papers, of course. I need the stiffness that the papers provide. But for those who can sew well without the papers, this is very helpful

[@이경왜-h5p]

🎉

[@winoakey2112]

Fabulous video Rachel, you have inspired me to try it, thank you!😊

[@stitchwithrachel]

You are so welcome! Happy stitching xx

[@elizabethvallely4044]

Thank you for showing how to do this without the paper! I had a one time thought if you could do it without the paper then thought you need the paper to give it a bit of support lol it Does look like it’s quicker the way you’re doing it! Thanks again Liz 😊

[@kerrycroom7459]

Thanks for this tutorial. Lots of tips on How To. I started out handquilting. Learned machine piecing since 2006, But so ready to go back to hand-piecing

[@zainylainy1]

You can buy stamps, to stamp your lines on the fabric. It’s been a while but I think it was stamps by Kate. It saves a lot of time and is very accurate.

[@debrat777]

Thank you for this tutorial. I was given some rather large hexagon blocks from my grandmother that were hand pieced. I haven’t been able to figure out how she did them. I have a few I want to try to stitch together to complete a small quilt.

[@stitchwithrachel]

Glad it was helpful! That would be a wonderful project x

[@laurelb8372]

Doing hexies with just marked lines on back is my favourite way to work with them. I find it easier on hands and wrists. Have almost finished a quilt made this way and it was my most enjoyable quilt ever. Good for fussy cutting motifs too. Thanks for the video.

[@jennstumpf1]

Just beautiful! I can’t wait to try this. Thank you for this wonderful video! ❤

[@stitchwithrachel]

You're welcome, happy stitching

[@jimsavage1857]

@quilterTricia. Thank You Rachel for all this information. This is all brand new for me! Im 71.5 yrs old & have found something brand new!! Amazing. Right now I,m doing trad. EPP with the papers. I have found new millners needles by Australian Sue Daley & its been a game changer for me.

[@jacquelinestrand6283]

Thank you Rachel - i enjoyed this. I love hand sewing and your pretty projects make me smile❤️😊

[@juliapettee2703]

I’m looking forward to trying this method. I was feeling a bit daunted by using paper pieces. Thank you for such clear instructions and great close-up video shots. Wish me luck - I’m making a quilt for my king size bed!!

[@violet2048]

Thank you Rachel, I've been doing 2 hexagon quilts, one is 1" Hexagon EPP, and the other is a 5" hexagon on the sewing machine. I prefer the hand work, it's a lot more manageable. I'll try your method. Good job.

[@Muchado4-1]

My Grandmother made the Grandma’s Flower Garden, way before EPP ever existed… 😂 I have her quilts… she cut them out and just sewed them together, saved her a wad of money and 2-3 extra steps… And her quilts were gorgeous❣️.

[@noscripthere95]

Fantastic! Love it. This will be so much easier. Thanks for taking the time to explain so well. Also ordered that little stick ruler. Wish I would have had that years ago.🤣

[@stitchwithrachel]

The little ruler is a god send! I brought it when i first started sewing, not really knowing what it was for but it's very handy!

[@liesbethvandijk6539]

Hi Rachel, piecing without papers, that's better..... I always wanted to try EPP but those papers worried me. So, no more worries, I'm gonna try this method! Thanks a lot for this nice video and your very patient instructions. Greetz from Holland. 👍

[@lindafarella220]

Great tutorial! I've always wanted to try hexies and you've made it look so easy. Thank you!

[@judyzeigler3980]

Thank you so much for sharing. Very nice and of course I love the fabric. 😊

[@nancy-katharynmcgraw2669]

Great demonstration for us. A technique that would save $ on: card stock, time removing basting Thread, or removing seam allowances from the tacky glue basting, grabbing the hexi templates from inside of each & every one, which saves wear & tear/Pain on fingers. Thanks much for sharing! Great camera work for the closeups and was thrilled I could see your stitches as you chose to use the black thread today !!! YAY on you!!!

[@juliagardner9750]

Excellent clear instructions and will be using this method instead of papers or adhesive papers.Thank you😊

[@sharonfrees9128]

Hello from Michigan USA. I really enjoyed your tutorial. I usually do the English Paper Piecing, but your way does look like an easier way to do it. I may give it a try.

[@PlaidCatStudio]

Thank you! Your tip about using sandpaper to keep the fabric from wiggling about is brilliant! It will save me tons of time. You have a new subscriber. 😀

[@stitchwithrachel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GinaTellThreadGraffiti]

I needed a little refresher and I love watching you!

[@debbiet9424]

Amazing! Such clear instructions! Can't wait to try this. Thankyou!

[@poodlegirl55]

I agree that this is American. I was taught to make Grandmothers flower garden blocks in the 1960's. Many women knew made those quilts and they never used paper. We just hand pieced them just like we did other designs. I must admit the first time I saw papers being used was The last Homely house and I thought gosh that looks like a lot of work. I actually only mark the stitching lines on the one in the center but I have quilted a lot over 50 years and 1/4 inch is easy for me to judge.

[@gracepatane9384]

I really like the way this looks! I think it’s a lot easier than using the EPP method! Your finished product looks beautiful with the dark topstitching, & the trim around the edge!

[@tracybrewer3377]

Thanks for sharing this tutorial. I'm going to have a go at this method. I've been doing the other way with the paper since I started doing hexagons. I also have been drawing out my papers and have to say it takes quite a while to do. So this way makes total sense. And I think it might be a little faster. Still I haven't even worked out what I will use these for. Also I have done some really tiny ones in the thought of using to make pouches

[@angierahui]

Thank you for showing this technique.

[@lynettewykes9923]

Really enjoyed your tutorial, thank you.

[@dianekuzirian7742]

Thank you for a wonderful tutorial. I've not tried EPP yet I want to try to make a project bag.

[@mjlawie895]

i love your pins!

[@Marialla.]

When I hand pieced a baby quilt I found marking the pieces was easiest for me by making a cutout template the size of the finished piece I needed. Almost like a stencil cutout. I'd cut it out of a bit of cardboard or plastic with a craft knife so that the hole was exactly the size of the finished piece I wanted. This let me audition fabrics to get the fussy cuts exactly where I wanted them. After a while I learned that I did better putting one dot at each corner where the seam should end, rather than drawing a pencil like for the whole seam to sew. The line is great for starting off, but the dot has less risk of showing through the fabric. By marking the shape I want instead of measuring in from the edge of a precut, I was able to use random fabrics and not worry if the seam allowances were slightly wonky. As long as the shape you sew is perfect, the edges of the seam allowances are not too critical. It would matter if you were machine sewing and using the presser foot as your guide, but when hand sewing and using dots as your guide the freedom to be random really seems to help a lot. At least, it helped me.

[@TheSchkings]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you!

[@kndpad]

Thank you this will be my winter hobby never sewn but I think this is doable

[@karentoynton8948]

Another liberty fan , I am just making a 7ft x7ft quilt for mt bed. It’s been taking a good while, but I am popping a hexiform type wadding behind in the each Hexiform . So not using any other wadding as it’s heavy enough as it is,m enjoyable thank you. If you were going to hsnd sew the quilt when finished how. If a stitch would you put in then please bearing in mind 7x7 is a lot of hexies to do. So it will be that. or a long arm quilter,

[@barbaralake6794]

Very nicely done

[@carolejones5530]

So interesting, I can’t wait to try. Thanks for the video 😊

[@kathleengertzberg5405]

Very lovely.. I love EPP but have always used paper. Coincidentally, I found a large package of pre-cut hexis yesterday that I had forgotten all about. I subscribed to your channel and am looking forward to seeing what I “find” on that. ❤

[@patriciadavidson3328]

Very good instructions! Want to try this❤

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

I first learned to piece, applique, and quilt by hand. Rather than knots, I was taught to simply do a backstitch at the beginning and end of seams. They hold, even in machine washing. I LOVE the tip of making a backstitch in the middle.

[@stitchwithrachel]

I have seen about doing the back stitches and I worried about how well it would hold so that's good to know, thank you

[@joanneferguson3784]

Thank you, this isn't a method i was aware of, though it make perfect sense..Love your videos..

[@angelbear_og]

Tip for when you mark an incorrect line: draw some Xs or a wavy line through the wrong one so you don't accidentally use it when you forget!

[@vikiworley5930]

I have inherited some hexie blocks that were pieced this way. I’ve been wondering what to do with them. And how to continue with the piecing. Thank you for the overview.

[@stitchwithrachel]

You're welcome, glad you can finish the project x

[@susanapt2158]

Gracias por tus vídeos, saludos desde España 🇪🇦

[@Yt-hb4wh]

Excellent tutorial!

[@peterlilley6836]

Hallo I was interested at the way you stitched these he is,I’m going to defamatory try this one luv teresa

[@marialinder1295]

I’m gonna try this method thanks

[@MultiRusty50]

Thank you. Very interesting

[@paigee8367]

I really want to try this.

[@HereIsMyStuff35]

Great video! Do you prewash and/or starch your fabrics? Oh, and thanks for mentioning using poly thread. A good quality poly thread is great to work with. I used to use cotton only but now I use both types.

[@stitchwithrachel]

Hello, I don't prewash or starch at all. I find that using colour catchers is good enough for any dye (any bleeding is rare) and if there is shrinkage after making then I like the wrinkled look xx

[@SweetVelvetBuds]

Hi, Rachel. I have just found your channel. I got a really nice vibe from the minute you started talking. You have a really sweet voice. Loved your tutorial and wish you much success. 😊

[@stitchwithrachel]

Aww thank you for such a lovely comment ❤️

[@lynn858]

This seems intuitive (although I might have tried to attach to the centre then the side). So... why would one bother with paper templates? Particularly if you have to trace and cut them by hand (as opposed to buying precut templates). What advantage does that have to make it worth the bother - especially with the extra basting step? /genuine question

[@stitchwithrachel]

I think EPP is more popular so more people have heard about the technique, I certainly thought that was the only way to hand sew hexagons with any degree of accuracy but this is so relaxing, and easier on my hands. Whilst you dont have the step of basting the shapes, you do need to mark the sewing lines so the prep time is similar.

[@kara1084]

I love traditional hand piecing and EPP. For EPP, I find it’s the meditative state of the whip stitch that I really like. I also really like how flat it is for hexagons. It does take longer and is more “fussy” to prepare, but I just love the process. For hand piecing, I find I like it most when I’m wanting to do squares or lots of points meeting or curves.

[@lynn858]

@@kara1084 That makes sense to me. Thank you!

[@lynn858]

@@stitchwithrachel I was also thinking it might be the "known" factor. I'd agree the drawing stitching lines, vs basting is similar. But, that's assuming you can purchase pre-cut paper/card hexies, (or have a cutting machine, and aren't considering the cost of replacement mats/cutters) or that you are carefully removing and reusing a limited number, rather than tracing and hand cutting the templates, as would have been done when the technique was developed.

[@suzisaintjames]

To avoid those folds after ironing the rosette... try ironing after stitching each segment instead of after completing the rosette. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@stitchwithrachel]

Thank you, I will give that a go. I usually use a seam roller to save electrity and having the iron on all the time but i dont know why I haven't done it with the hexies!

[@marilyn7354]

I did this for a charm quilt. No 2 pieced the same. Half hexie. 1 1/2 by 1 inches finished. 3500 pieces. Full bed size. All my quilts were pieced and quilted by hand.

[@stitchwithrachel]

Wow that quilt sounds amazing x

[@treasuresbyjana6877]

Thanks for the video! Unfortunately that link for the 1/4inch ruler not the right one- they sell 0.5inch wide only. May I ask you to give a reference where did you buy yours?

[@fernandaazevedo2471]

Obrigada 😊 do Brasil 🇧🇷

[@stitchwithrachel]

You're welcome, amazing that you are watching from Brazil 🥰

[@maryt2887]

I have done EPP a number of times, and I didn’t like having to deal with folding the papers on a three way seam. I will try this method. Thank you!

[@stitchwithrachel]

@@maryt2887 it just doesn't feel natural to bend the papers does it x

[@ginaashby6782]

I learnt EPP yrs ago in the early 1980's at a craft class which I never finished then came bck to it jst last year by watching youtube nd luving it ...

[@natalieyoung6]

Love your ruler with pencil groove . Do you have the name and of it or did you get it on amazon?

[@catherinecearns9002]

Hi from South Australia- My favourite Tilda fabric

[@peachesliebers]

I've always done epp without the paper. Which I've been told is the wrong way. But it has worked for me.

[@bonnierobbins4230]

Lovely Channel ❤ New Watcher!

[@stitchwithrachel]

Hello and welcome xx

[@LisaLisa-zl9vu]

Please show how you sew one flower onto another!!! I’ve made them and now don’t know what to do!!😅

[@CordulaPrice]

Thank you for sharing I just subscribed 👍🏻🪡🧵😊

[@stitchwithrachel]

Thank you, welcome to the channel.

[@Tina46.]

Could I sew them this way but with my sewing machine? I can’t think of anything that would stop it working?

[@stitchwithrachel]

I guess so, you'd just have to be careful as Y seams can be tricky on the machine

[@maryalicehornsby6636]

Rachel, I recently saw a little house quilt you made on retreat with your sister. Is it paper pieced? Where can I get the pattern?

[@stitchwithrachel]

The house pattern is foundation paper pieced on the machine and the pattern is from JitkaDesign on etsy 💓🧵

[@aprilwalter8708]

How would you quilt this?

[@stitchwithrachel]

I like to hand quilt, you could follow the outline of each hexagon flower or just straight through the middle of each hexagon

[@tawnymcconnell4594]

Where do you find that clear 1/4" guide?

[@stitchwithrachel]

I brought this from Hobbycraft in the UK xx

[@vonetteperkins5771]

Enjoyed the video. Please explain the corners again. I was good until you said three layers and I couldn’t quite see it.

[@kimdodd6677]

I think I do too many stitches is that possible?❤🌹

[@stitchwithrachel]

I think it could be possible, how many stitches would you say you do in an inch with hand piecing?