Printable English Paper Piecing Templates

How to print templates at the right size

The size of your printout matters, as a small scaling error can add up over a whole quilt. In the print dialog, set the scale to 100% or actual size, and turn off any option called fit to page or shrink to fit. Every sheet has a 1 in test square in the corner. Measure it with a ruler before you cut anything. If it is not exactly 1 in, check those print settings again.

Different printers can behave a little differently, even with the right settings, so print all of your sheets on the same printer. For basting, use a card stock of about 65 to 110 lb. It holds a crisp edge and can be reused several times. Ordinary copy paper also works, particularly for small pieces or if you plan to stitch through the paper, but it is less sturdy for wrapping. Cut carefully on the line with sharp scissors, or use a rotary cutter for straight edges.

How hexagons are measured

Hexagons are named by the length of one side, and this is where many people get confused. A 1 in hexagon does not measure 1 in across. It measures 2 in from point to point and about 1 3/4 in from one flat side to the other. If you want a design to be a certain size, look at these measurements in the chart, rather than the name.

Popular sizes range from tiny 1/4 in and 1/2 in hexagons, often used for miniature work, up to 1 in and larger for quilts. Small hexagons look wonderful but take far longer, because the number of pieces rises very quickly as the size shrinks. Halving the side length means about four times as many pieces. Try the project size boxes with two different sizes, and you will see the difference. For a first project, 1 in is a comfortable size to learn with.

How to baste and sew English paper piecing

Cut your fabric about 3/8 in larger than the paper on all sides. If you tick the option to add a cutting line, the sheet shows a dashed line at that distance, and you can use it as a template for your fabric. Hold the paper on the wrong side of the fabric with a small dab of glue or a clip. Then fold each edge over the paper in turn, and either baste through the paper or glue the fabric down.

To join two pieces, hold them right sides together, line up the edges, and whip-stitch with small stitches, catching only a few threads of each fold. Avoid stitching through the paper. A fine needle and a strong, thin thread help the stitches disappear. When all sides of a piece have been joined to its neighbors, remove the paper and use it again. Pieces at the outer edge keep their papers until you are ready to add a border or trim the edges.

How many pieces will a project need?

The tool divides your project area by the area of one shape, then adds 10% for the partial pieces around the edge. A 40 x 50 in project made from 1 in hexagons needs about 847 pieces. That sounds like a lot, and it is, which is why EPP quilts can take a long time. A smaller project, like a pillow, a table topper or a zipped pouch, is a much better way to find out if you enjoy the method.

You do not need to wrap every piece in a different print. Grouping colors into rosettes, which are a center hexagon with six around it, is the classic way to design with this shape. You can also mix shapes: a hexagon with six triangles makes a star, and diamonds make tumbling blocks that look three-dimensional. If you want a faster way to get a similar look, you can also applique finished EPP rosettes onto a background.

Why quilters love English paper piecing

It suits people who like a slow project that they can take anywhere. All you need is a small bag with your papers, fabric, needle and thread, so you can stitch while traveling or watching television. There is no machine, and there is little to set up. Because each shape is held to a paper template, the points meet accurately with very little pinning.

It also makes good use of small scraps. Fussy cutting, where you center a motif from a print within each shape, gives lovely kaleidoscope effects. For this, cut a window template of your shape from card, and move it around the fabric until you find the part you like. If you enjoy accuracy, you may also like foundation paper piecing, which uses a paper pattern too, but with a machine and a different method.

Common English paper piecing mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is printing without checking the scale, and then discovering the error after you have basted a lot of pieces. Always measure the test square. Mixing printers or print settings partway through a project causes the same problem, since pieces that differ by a tiny amount will not line up neatly. Print everything you need for a project in one batch. A second mistake is cutting out your papers carelessly. Any wobble in the paper edge goes straight into the fabric, so take your time, and use sharp scissors kept just for paper.

Basting too tightly can also cause trouble, as it bends the paper and distorts the shape. Fold the fabric snugly, but do not pull so hard that the card bows. Stitching through the paper is another common slip, which makes it hard to remove later. Keep your needle in the fabric fold, and only take a few threads. Finally, remember the paper’s reusability. Keep a small box for papers that you take out, and try to reuse them until the edges soften. Throw away any with bent corners, since they will no longer give you crisp points.