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English paper piecing (EPP) is a hand-sewn quilting method. You wrap fabric around temporary paper shapes, baste or glue the edges, and whip-stitch the prepared pieces together. The papers hold each edge and angle accurately while you assemble the design, then come out when the sewn unit is secure.
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Hexagons are the familiar starting point, but EPP patterns also use diamonds, pentagons, octagons, baby-blocks, stars and irregular shapes. The best first pattern is one whose finished size, piece count and instructions match the time and precision you want to give the project.
How English paper piecing works
- Choose and inventory the pattern. Record every shape, its finished size and the number of pieces required.
- Get the exact papers or templates. Print a correctly scaled PDF or buy a paper pack. A template’s finished size controls the geometry, so a 3/4-inch hexagon is not interchangeable with a 1.5-inch hexagon.
- Cut fabric around each paper. Leave a seam allowance outside the paper. An Illinois State Museum guide specifies a 1/4-inch allowance around a paper hexagon.
- Prepare each piece. Fold the allowance over the paper and baste it in place, or use a fabric glue pen as an optional aid.
- Arrange the units. Follow the pattern diagram before sewing so color placement and directional prints are correct.
- Whip-stitch adjoining edges by hand. Keep stitches small and catch fabric edges without sewing through the paper unless the pattern instructs otherwise.
- Remove the papers and finish. Once the unit is stable, pull out the papers and continue with the quilt, ornament, pincushion or other project instructions.
Sage & Thread describes the method as “a hand-sewing technique where fabric is wrapped around paper templates and whip-stitched together to create intricate geometric designs.”
#1 Best Overall
- VALUE PACK OF 1200: Includes 1200 pre-cut 1 inch white hexagon quilting paper templates, no measuring or cutting needed - plenty for full-size quilts, group sewing sessions and long term EPP projects.
- EASY-REMOVAL CENTER HOLE: Each template has a middle hole, so you can pop papers out smoothly with a crochet hook or pencil after the edges are sewn or glued, without tearing fabric or bending stitches.
- STURDY 250GSM PAPER: Thicker than standard cardstock, these precision-cut templates keep crisp, accurate edges and stay flat through repeated basting; reusable again and again when paired with a forgiving glue.
- EASY TO USE FOR BEGINNERS: Wrap fabric around the template, baste with needle and thread or glue, stitch hexagons together, then remove the papers; a perfect first EPP project for new quilters.
- WIDE APPLICATIONS: Ideal for English paper piecing quilts like grandmother's flower garden, plus patchwork, bags, coasters, home decor and DIY crafts; also a thoughtful gift for quilting and sewing lovers.
Which EPP pattern format should you choose?
| Format | What you receive | Best for | Check before buying or printing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free printable download | Usually templates and project instructions; some include diagrams, photos and a coloring sheet. | Testing EPP with a small project or adapting your own fabrics. | Print at 100% scale and verify a measured template before cutting. |
| Book or downloadable pattern | One or more designs, instructions and sometimes paper-piece files. | Building a library of related projects. | Whether papers are included or must be printed separately; finished dimensions and fabric requirements. |
| Paper-piece pack | Pre-cut paper shapes, sometimes with acrylic templates. | Repeated shapes and faster preparation. | Shape, finished size and quantity. Extra papers may be needed for large layouts. |
| Complete set or kit | Pattern plus some combination of papers, templates and fabric. | A guided first project with fewer sourcing decisions. | Exactly which materials are included and whether the stated size is finished or unfinished. |
Fat Quarter Shop lists paper and downloadable PDF patterns as well as books and supplies. Shabby Fabrics lists individual patterns, acrylic templates, paper pieces and complete sets. Its free resources include seven EPP tutorials or downloads covering pincushions, ornaments, quilts, hexagon projects and a no-hand-sewing option. Tales of Cloth says its free patterns provide fabric and shape requirements, diagrams, photos, printable templates and a coloring sheet. DK’s Techniques Chapter resource, published February 13, 2026, provides printable templates for common EPP shapes.
Choosing the right shape and finished size
Hexagons
Hexagons tessellate naturally, making them a practical first choice for flowers, borders, cushions and quilts. Smaller hexagons create finer detail but require more pieces and more handling; larger hexagons cover ground faster and are easier to see and stitch.
Rank #2
- Quilting Template：You’ll get 600 pre-cut hexagon quilting templates, each with a 1-inch side length—more than enough for daily quilting projects. Every template is accurately cut to ensure neat, uniform piecing and appliqué, helping your work look polished and professional with little effort
- Easy-Removal Hole：Each hexagon template has a handy center hole. Use a crochet hook or pencil to pull it out smoothly without damaging your fabric—perfect whether you sew edges with thread or use glue. Pick forgiving glue to keep the paper from thinning after repeated use
- Sturdy Quality Paper：Made of high-grade paper that’s tough enough for tracing and cutting. It holds consistent shape and strength, no tearing or warping mid-project. This sturdiness keeps your paper piecing process smooth and frustration-free every time
- Simple To Use：Even beginners can use these easily: Place the hexagon paper on your fabric, sew along its edges, then stitch a full circle to secure it. Trim excess thread, and you’ll have a perfectly shaped hexagonal fabric piece ready for your quilt or craft
- Multi-Scene Use：These lightweight templates work beyond quilting—great for hand sewing, clothing making, DIY decorations, and all kinds of crafts. They’re a go-to for both seasoned quilters and hobbyist crafters looking to add hexagons to their projects
Other geometric shapes
Diamonds, pentagons, octagons, stars and baby-block pieces open up rosettes, three-dimensional effects and less traditional layouts. Angie Padilla Quilt Designs dates EPP as far back as the 1770s and identifies hexagon, pentagon, octagon and other irregular shapes; treat that as the designer’s historical claim rather than a settled archival consensus.
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Read the pattern’s definition of size before ordering. “1.5-inch hexagon” can refer to a particular finished measurement convention, so compare a printed test shape with the pattern diagram or stated dimensions. Using the wrong scale changes every seam, color repeat and final measurement.
Rank #3
- Package Includes: 12 shapes acrylic quilting templates and 600 paper piecing(50 per shapes); Assemble several templates together to make a beautiful pattern; These templates are made of 0.118 inch/3mm thick acrylic, which is smooth and reduces the possibility of breaking or deformation
- Acrylic Material: these templates are made of acrylic for easy fine cutting; Clear markings facilitate accurate measurements; The shaped templates for cutting patterns have a 1/4 inch seam allowance to help align the fabric after sewing
- Use Instructions: first use these acrylic templates as a guide to mark the fabric with a marker or cut along the template with a rotary cutter; Then wrap the cut fabric around the template and finally sew and sew together; Quilting template set decorate seams with your favorite embellishments and threads; Suitable for knitting and crochet projects and all types of clothing
- Various Purpose: quilting template set are suitable for all types of patchwork, quilting, sewing, patterns, quilting templates and cutting crafts; Available in a variety of sizes, please refer to the pictures for specific sizes; It can use in each of your projects, such as sewing on bags, blankets, pillows, pillowcases and more
- Carefully Packed with Protective Film: to prevent the product from being worn during transportation, both sides of the product are covered with protective film; Please carefully remove the film before use; In addition to protecting the template from wear and tear, this thoughtful packaging also ensures that you receive the template in ideal condition
Good first projects versus ambitious patterns
| Project level | Typical choice | Why it fits | Likely planning demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low commitment | Small hexagon pincushion or ornament | Few shapes, quick feedback and an inexpensive way to practice basting and whip-stitching. | Limited layout planning; still confirm paper scale and seam allowance. |
| Intermediate | Table runner, pouch or repeated flower unit | More joining practice while the project remains portable. | Color placement, directional fabric and a larger paper count. |
| High commitment | Full quilt or complex medallion | Supports detailed geometry and large-scale design. | Many pieces, organized storage, accurate inventory and substantial hand-sewing time. |
For any level, make one test unit before cutting all the fabric. It exposes a scaling error, an uncomfortable seam allowance or a color-placement problem while corrections are still cheap.
Supplies for an EPP project
Essential materials
- A pattern with a piece list and finished measurements
- Correctly sized paper pieces or printable templates
- Quilting cotton or the fabric specified by the pattern
- Hand-sewing needle and thread
Useful but optional tools
- Fabric glue pen and refill for temporary basting support
- Fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and cutting mat
- Fussy-cutting mirror for checking print placement
- Small boxes, bags or another system for separating prepared pieces
In a Missouri Star tutorial, Sue Daley’s supply list includes a 3/4-inch hexagon template-with-papers pack, flower papers, a rotating cutting mat, a fussy-cutting mirror and a glue pen with refill. Those specialty tools can speed preparation, but a pattern, paper, fabric, needle and thread are enough to begin.
Rank #4
- Package Includes: 12 shapes acrylic quilting templates and 600 paper piecing(50 per shapes); Assemble several templates together to make a beautiful pattern; These templates are made of 0.118 inch/3mm thick acrylic, which is smooth and reduces the possibility of breaking or deformation
- Acrylic Material: these templates are made of acrylic for easy fine cutting; Clear markings facilitate accurate measurements; The shaped templates for cutting patterns have a 1/4 inch seam allowance to help align the fabric after sewing
- Use Instructions: first use these acrylic templates as a guide to mark the fabric with a marker or cut along the template with a rotary cutter; Then wrap the cut fabric around the template and finally sew and sew together; Quilting template set decorate seams with your favorite embellishments and threads; Suitable for knitting and crochet projects and all types of clothing
- Various Purpose: quilting template set are suitable for all types of patchwork, quilting, sewing, patterns, quilting templates and cutting crafts; Available in a variety of sizes, please refer to the pictures for specific sizes; It can use in each of your projects, such as sewing on bags, blankets, pillows, pillowcases and more
- Carefully Packed with Protective Film: to prevent the product from being worn during transportation, both sides of the product are covered with protective film; Please carefully remove the film before use; In addition to protecting the template from wear and tear, this thoughtful packaging also ensures that you receive the template in ideal condition
Printable patterns, papers and templates: avoiding common mistakes
- Incorrect printer scaling: disable “fit to page” and print at 100 percent when the file supplies a scale reference. Measure the result.
- Wrong paper size: compare the template’s finished dimension with the pattern, not merely the product name.
- Insufficient quantity: count the pattern’s total pieces and add only the reuse allowance the instructions permit; some shapes cannot be removed until surrounding seams are secure.
- Unclear seam allowance: follow the pattern first. Where it gives no figure, the Illinois State Museum’s hexagon guide demonstrates a 1/4-inch fabric allowance.
- Unorganized prepared units: label groups by row, color or position and store them flat or in separate bags.
EPP versus foundation paper piecing
| Feature | English paper piecing | Foundation paper piecing |
|---|---|---|
| Primary construction | Fabric is wrapped around individual paper shapes and the pieces are sewn together by hand. | Fabric strips are sewn by machine, in sequence, onto a printed foundation sheet. |
| Paper’s role | It remains in place while edges are prepared and joined, then is removed. | It is a sewing foundation and is usually torn away after the section is complete. |
| Typical strength | Portable handwork and precise tessellated shapes. | Fast, sharp points and complex angled blocks. |
| Needlework | Hand basting or gluing plus hand whip-stitching. | Generally machine piecing, with paper-guided seam lines. |
They share the idea of sewing with paper guidance, but they are not interchangeable techniques. An EPP pattern requires wrapped individual pieces; a foundation-paper-piecing pattern expects fabric to be sewn directly to a printed foundation in a specified order.
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- Compare the finished shape and size with the project you want to make.
- Count pieces and assess whether the geometry requires fussy cutting or careful directional placement.
- Check whether paper pieces, acrylic templates, or only a printable file are included.
- Read the assembly instructions and diagrams for clarity.
- Confirm that fabric requirements are stated and distinguish finished dimensions from cutting dimensions.
- Make a single test unit before committing to a large fabric purchase or cutting session.
The Bottom Line
Start with a small, clearly documented pattern—often a hexagon pincushion or ornament—then buy or print papers at its exact finished size. EPP needs little equipment, but accurate templates, a consistent seam allowance and patient hand stitching determine whether the geometry fits.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Quilting Template: There are a total of 300 quilting templates in our hexagonal quilting template set, with a side length of 1 inches; the simple hexagonal design can meet the needs of your daily use
- Durable Material: The hexagon paper of the product is made of high-quality material, which is not easy to deform and bend; and our paper for quilting is reusable
- Paper Piecing 1 inch: The paper stitching quilting template has a side length of 1 inches and a diameter of 2 inches. The size is suitable for various application scenarios such as sewing, patchwork, and quilting DIY patchwork sewing crafts
- How to Use: Put the hexagonal paper stitching on the sewing cloth to be made, sew the cloth along the hexagonal paper model with a sewing needle, and after sewing a circle to fix it, cut off the excess sewing thread, and a delicate hexagonal model fabric is completed
- Wide Application: Quilted hexagonal paper stitching card stock is light in weight and suitable for many scenarios, such as hand sewing, clothing, crafts making, DIY handmade decorations, etc
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
