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What is English Paper Piecing (EPP)?

English Paper Piecing (EPP) is a popular hand-sewing method used in traditional patchwork and quilt-making.

Originating in England in the late 1700s, it was also known as “Mosaic Patchwork” and is one of the historic patchwork techniques that has stood the test of time.

The method stabilises a fabric patch by fixing it to a sturdy paper template (the “paper piece”) and then sewing these stabilised patches together into larger patterns or quilt blocks.

Briefly: The fabric patch is cut larger—usually by at least ¼ inch (≈6 mm)—than the paper piece. This excess is the seam allowance, which is folded neatly over the paper’s edges and secured. Traditionally it’s stitched down (“thread-basted”); a modern alternative is to use a non-permanent glue stick (“glue-basting”). To join covered pieces, place two pieces right sides together, align the edges, and whip-stitch along the edge, catching only the very fabric edge and avoiding the papers. Once a patch is sewn in on all sides, remove the paper pieces by taking out the basting or gently releasing the glue bond.

A more in-depth “How-to” guide can be found here.

The most popular shapes used in EPP are Hexagons, which are great for using up fabric scraps and can be assembled into larger patches—either in set patterns or more randomly. Other favourites include Diamonds and Triangles, which combine with Hexagons to form a variety of tessellations.

Why is EPP so popular today?

In our fast, busy lives many people are yearning for quiet, creative time. Hand-sewing can be calming and even therapeutic, and the “slow-stitching” movement highlights its mental-health benefits. EPP fits that bill perfectly.

What are the advantages of EPP over other methods?

EPP is highly accurate and enables excellent precision with a little practice. You can hand-sew spectacular patterns with just a few tools—making it a wonderfully low-tech craft.

Because you don’t need a sewing machine, EPP projects are very portable. Many quilters like to stitch while listening to the radio or watching TV—and you can even take projects on holiday.

Tool-wise you only need the essentials: fabric, needle and thread, scissors, and the paper pieces themselves.

In recent years, fussy-cutting has reached new creative heights in EPP, yielding striking modern quilts. Using clear acrylic templates (with seam allowance), you can cut fabric selectively to feature motifs that form secondary patterns when pieced together.

Further reading:

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