TUTORIAL: English Paper Piecing! (My favorite tools & techniques)

[@cindybogard8684]

'm so glad to see EPP close up. I hadn't really understood what it was about before watching this.

[@ileneklayman3440]

I am so glad you put up this video, i'm not going to lie when you first mentioned EPP I was a little intimated. But wow! This is so cool. I may ease into this craft(I have so many crafty rabbit holes too). A friend of mine is into resin, I like yarn and fabric. She made me a beautiful ring holder, which I do love. You really broke down EPP so well.

[@Voolenvine]

Thanks so much, Ilene! I was worried that I was a little too all over the place 😅 Funny you should mention resin ... I dabbled for a hot second during the pandemic. But when I realized it was another craft I ought to wear a respirator while doing (I wear one while dyeing yarn) ... No thanks! 😂 It's definitely a fun and beautiful rabbit hole, though!

[@robinmarks5638]

Kristin You are a wonderful teacher! This is wonderful!

[@Voolenvine]

Thank you so much, Robbin!

[@DelightKnits]

Oh my gosh... the possibilities are endless for patterns! I do not have time for another hobby, but i really want to try this now!

[@LottaSocks]

Long time Knitter/Crocheter here. I watched this....just because. I totally get the meditative, simple & EASY (!!) craft EPP can be. I like the idea of a potholder size project. This tutorial was Perfect to really see how Easy this can be. When I was 8-12, I did embroidery. Beautiful things, but my thread always, always got knots (thread too long-lesson learned). To this day I refuse (well, almost) to “Sew” anything. Knot Trauma, I guess. haha. Think shirt buttons. Nope. Nada. Not gonna do it! Glad I knit sweaters...either in the round or cardigan w/o buttons. BUT... T.H.I.S. might be on my “try” list! Thanks, you give me hope for hand sewing a nifty thing!!!

[@Voolenvine]

You're so welcome, Li! Small sewing projects are definitely a great "gateway drug" 😂 and knot trauma can be real! Happy EPPing if you decide to give it a go 😄

[@joanneyoung1081]

Glad you started this epic craft.

[@charlot-temisery]

not going to lie, thanks to you going down the EPP rabbit hole, its tempting me too. also i'm getting tutorials for EPP showing up in my instagram reel suggestions too. I love it.

[@Voolenvine]

Hah! Oh, that clever algorithm. 😂 Silverlining: Even if EPP isn't your thing, the projects are really pretty to look at! 😄

[@VeronicaPalahniuc]

I am so glad for this video tutorial! Please make more tutorials!

[@Kim-xg1vm]

Just found your vid.. I am a newbie .. I mean I haven't even cut the fabric yet newbie😁 I really didn't know what I would need to start, you did a fantastic job explaining! Thank you☺

[@beverlyhess611]

This looks so fun! I’m very excited to give it a try!

[@catherinegage5597]

Love the EPP🌻

[@jujujensen]

I was surprised at how meditative sewing those hexis together was. I did a Traveler's Notebook Journal Cover in a weekend working on and off. Thanks for the tutorial. I will admit that I looked it up awhile ago when you started mentioning it. Thanks for the new craft :)

[@1monstercrew1]

Thank you for this! I was literally looking it up for a way to use up scrap fabrics from sewing projects and I love how meditative hand sewing is! Perfect tutorial ☺️👏💕

[@angelahunnel9425]

Thank you for this tutorial! It answered all of the questions I had about EPP. I don't sew and I don't have a fabric stash so I'm going to have to change that! It's exciting to start a new craft!💖

[@kellyhipkins5616]

Thank you for sharing. I'm a newbie

[@rhondakehrberg7724]

Loved this quick tutorial on EPP and I now can see why this could be addictive! It looks so fun !

[@Voolenvine]

It really is!! So glad you enjoyed, Rhonda 🤗

[@Nancy_Amy]

Wonderful tutorial, you’re a great teacher!

[@dianapulido1807]

Thank you for this tutorial. It was very interesting. I had been wondering how you sewed the pieces together without sewing into the paper. It was just one of those things that the mind refuses to grasp. After I saw you explain it all became very clear and I said to myself well that is simple. I have some beautiful fabric that is French-themed guess what I'll be making with it!? Yes hexies, down the rabbit hole we go! I have always been fascinated by quilts but I don't have room for a machine. Yes, I know originally quilts were made by hand and there is no reason not to make them by hand but EPP seems more elegant somehow. Anyway thank you for such clear explanation on how to get started with EPP.

[@Voolenvine]

Yay! I'm glad I was able to help demystify the process for you, Diana. and YESS! It's a super compact and portable craft. Perfect if you don't have room for a machine. 👌 That French-themed fabric will make a gorgeous first project! Enjoy!! 🤗

[@mdyph27]

Thank you! Great tutorial!

[@laurenbyers2577]

Quick question! If you do, let's say, a mug rug. Do you remove the paper pieces from the outside edges when you finish? When all is said and done, the pieces that don't have seems kn all sides, do you remove those to then finish the piece? I don't know if I'm making sense but I'm confused on when to remove the pieces from the edges when you're done seeing, or if you just keep them there and then back it.

[@ashleykelly6947]

What a great tutorial! Hello new rabbit hole 😅🐰 it’s been on my crafty list for a while but now I just have to give this a go!

[@imogenheath5572]

I’ve watched a LOT of EPP tutorials. The stitch count to aim for is 12-20 along a one inch section. Too many and you weaken the fabric. Too little and the seam isn’t strong enough. You can buy papers too, and cause they’re reusable it’s often worth it. There are paper punches too. 3/8th of an inch seam is more common than 1/4 for this. I just cut squares and don’t bother snip anything down!

[@lisaporch8922]

Love this! I think I’m going to use my circut to cut!! Should work perfect 😊

[@Voolenvine]

Oooh, how do you like the Circuit cutter, Lisa?? I saw it on display at Michael's and thought it would be perfect for something like EPP.

[@Sazzsie]

Thank you for the video. I'm afraid it's a new rabit hole for me :-) Looking forward to trying it. yours look so beautiful!

[@ammiller3911]

Wow I was always curious about this! I will give it a try. My fabric stash is truly out of control. Thank you! Edit: OK questions: 1. Do iron the fabric with the paper in it to help keep it flat? 2. Can you reuse your paper after you've removed it or do you start new every time.

[@nickygray8019]

Great video. ! I use the little spring loaded clips to hold the pieces together while sewing. I can't seem to have a relaxed grip on the 2 pieces, and I get a bit of cramp. So using the little clip helps. Please show us your finished little pot holder. Its great you sh9w us your tips and tricks with EPP

[@Voolenvine]

YES! I totally forgot to mention those clips. They're great! And those cramps are no joke. 😬 Thanks for the tip, Nicky!

[@NinaChristensen]

My 11 yo kid has been begging me to sew with her but I’ve been at a loss for what project we should do (I’m quite impatient and I also don’t want to “waste” yards of fabric 😬). A paper pieced rug mug seems kinda perfect! Thank you for sharing your tips and techniques! 🙌

[@robinmarks5638]

Nina Do whatever it takes to sew with her!! She may grow out of wanting to do this and you wont get another chance to give her the gift of sewing! I am an old grandmother and they hit those teen years and things are never the same! Give her this attention now and your mother daughter bonding time!

[@Voolenvine]

Absolutely, Nina! I think this would be a perfect first sewing project to do with your daughter. And if fabric waste is a concern, you can't go wrong with charm packs. They're a pack of 5" squares and go for about $12-15 a pop. Let your daughter choose one she loves and should be a good time all around. Best of luck! 😄

[@dianescott3515]

Thank you for this great tutorial!

[@peggydrawspictures]

sew tites magnets are an excellent tool for holding epp pieces together and keeping them from moving around while you're sewing them together - so you don't need to overwork your hand holding them together with a death grip :)

[@Voolenvine]

Ooh! I must look into those Peggy. Thanks so much for the tip ... and for becoming a channel member! 🥰🥰🥰

[@LindaBikesKnits]

Hi Kristin. Love watching this tutorial. I am intrigued with this craft.... so when the pieces are handsewn together, is the paper removed after that? I do not see anyone showing the paper being removed but I am thinking surely the paper is not supposed to be left in.

[@Voolenvine]

Hi Linda! So glad you enjoyed the tutorial. Yes, the papers are eventually removed!! You can leave them in and remove them at the very end... OR, if you're working on a large project, remove the paper pieces, as you go, once a shape is surrounded by other shapes, on all sides. I hope that makes sense! 😉

[@LindaBikesKnits]

@@Voolenvine Ah.. ok, the paper is eventually removed. I did find another video that showed the paper being removed. The pieces then seem really floppy. So my next question is about the backing. I will keep looking and eventually all my questions will be answered. I think this is quite clever.

[@davidhensley76]

With hexagons and pentagons you could make a soccer ball.

[@knithappy]

Thank you so much for this….so interesting! It may be my next obsession 🤩

[@Voolenvine]

You're so welcome, Sandra. Yes!!! 😆

[@faricaa]

Great tutorial! Also love your lamp 😅

[@Voolenvine]

Thanks, Nalka! I scored it from Target, on sale! 😄

[@kathykelly2148]

Very clear and a great introduction to EPP. thank you. Do you need to remove all the paper? I am guessing that the hole in the paper is to get scissors in to remove paper. Thank you!

[@Voolenvine]

Yay! So glad you enjoyed it, Kathy 🤗 Yes, the paper can be removed when the quilt is finished. Unless you plan to make a wall hanging or something decorative and want to maintain the structure, you can leave them in if you prefer. And double yes! The hole makes it easier to remove, usually with a crochet hook or knitting needle :)

[@janadachingwa9234]

First time trying paper piecing.

[@KatherineMcG]

I can so see myself starting to do this...soon :)

[@SarahsCrochetCrafts-hz6gk]

Could this be done with upholstery fabric? I have a bunch of upholstery fabric scraps that were given to me years ago and I haven’t figured out what to do with them

[@Voolenvine]

Great question! I don't see why not ... though; you may want to consider a sharper, more heavy-duty needle and thread for thicker fabrics.

[@isithometimeyet6553]

I watched the Craftsy tutorial and while it was very good, I really appreciate how yours is just straight to the point from the get go. Clear and direct instructions with an overview at the beginning. Thank you so much! I do still wonder, however: why is it called English Paper Piecing? Maybe I am just missing the obvious (I know nothing about quilting so perhaps).

[@Voolenvine]

Yay! I'm so happy you enjoyed the tutorial 😄 It's called "English" because it originated in England, where it's simply called "Patchwork". 🤓

[@isithometimeyet6553]

@@Voolenvine Ah, so patchwork! Thank so much for your reply.

[@sandranokes7443]

I like sewing, I even sewed for Eddie Bauer for part of my career, but this would drive me crazy! While you are doing this my mind is figuring out how to do this without the paper. For some reason the thought of using paper in every little piece and then pulling it all out seems like it makes it more complicated than it need be. I would think just cutting out lots of these shapes and using an iron to iron the edge over and then sewing them together would be faster and easier. Don't mind me, I'm not the patient type! It's good of you to take the time to teach everyone how to do this method. You will have beautiful things when you are through. I had a question. How's the dye dungeon coming along? Is it all set up and are you loving it? Is there lots more room? Thank you for sharing this all with us.

[@imogenheath5572]

The paper gives you more accuracy for the final shapes, and prevents the fabric from stretching as you sew. People do do this type of work traditionally, but they wouldn’t bother whip stitch, it would just be regular hand piecing.

[@MollyTucker]

pulling out the paper pieces is one of most fun and therapeutic parts of this whole process, lol😂

[@Voolenvine]

Hah, I'm sure it can be done without them, but the paper is what helps hold the shapes, keep the lines accurate, and most importantly, portable! It's not for everyone but personally find removing the paper a satisfying process. Kind of gross, but it's like popping zits 😂 To skip the hand-stitching, and speed things up, you could take it under the machine and zigzag the pieces together, through the paper. Thanks for asking about the Dye Dungeon, Sandra! It needs some love, as I'm planning to finish an area of the basement for it, but I have a makeshift setup that works very well! Lots more efficient space for sure! 😄

[@Voolenvine]

@@MollyTucker Agreed! 😂

[@ela1984maa2]

Love, love this! Thank you! I would like to see you remove the pape...at least one. 😊

[@Longfellowstitches]

I would too! Great video though!

[@suzannakoizumi8605]

Would prefer to see them together by machine.

[@joannenikkila8819]

If you prick yourself and get a little blood on your fabric, your own saliva will remove the blood stain.

[@Voolenvine]

Great tip, Joanne! Hah, it reminds me of the trick to getting out a red wine stain using white wine. 😄 Thanks for that!