English Paper Piecing printable pdf download

English Paper Piecing

English Paper Piecing 101

Curves

Whipstitching

English paper piecing works well for curves too. When

Once you’ve basted your fabric to the paper pieces, it’s

basting curved paper pieces, such as Dresden petals, start

time to whipstitch them together. Th is step is the same

at the bott om edge of one long side and baste up the side

regardless of the paper shapes you’re using. I’ve tried a

to the curve. As you fold over the seam allowance around

variety of threads for this step, but ultimately I’ve found

the curve, ease in the fullness and take smaller basting

that a 40-weight machine-piecing thread or a 60-weight

stitches. Baste circles in the same manner, beginning any-

appliqué thread works best.

where along the curve.

Hexagons

With right sides together and using thread to match or

blend well with your fabric, take a small stitch just catch-

ing the folded edges of the fabric. When you reach the

end of the piece, add the next paper piece and continue

whipstitching.

Dresdens and Chrysanthemums

These paper pieces are very similar, the only

difference being that the ends of the Dresden

pieces are rounded and the ends of the

Chrysanthemum pieces are pointed. I use them

together or on their own to create variations of

Diamonds

the Dresden Plate.

With right sides together, align two diamonds and whip-

When basting these pieces, it’s not necessary

stitch toward the center point. Once you reach the point

to fold over and baste the short bottom end—just

cut the fabric ¹⁄

" to ¼" beyond the paper and

of the tail, add the next diamond and whipstitch from the

leave a raw edge.

center tail to the outer edge.

Dresden

Chrysanthemum

Raw edges

English Paper Piecing