English Paper Piecing vs Foundation Paper Piecing
Briefly:
English Paper Piecing (EPP) is a hand-sewing method used in traditional patchwork and quilting. It involves stabilising fabric patches by fixing them to heavy paper templates (known as “paper pieces”). These stabilised patches are then sewn together by hand into larger patterns or quilt blocks, typically using an over-sew or whip-stitch method. Once the shapes are sewn in on all sides, the paper pieces are removed and can be reused for future projects.
Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP), on the other hand, is a machine-sewing technique. The pattern—often a full quilt block—is drafted directly onto a sheet of foundation paper (or occasionally muslin fabric). The block is constructed by sewing the fabric patches directly onto the foundation paper using the stitch-and-flip method. When the block is complete, the paper is removed by carefully tearing it away.
Both methods produce beautifully precise and complex quilts. Each technique enables quilters to sew intricate patterns with impressive accuracy.
The main advantage of English Paper Piecing is its simplicity and accessibility. It requires minimal tools, making EPP projects highly portable. Many quilters also find the hand-stitching process relaxing and beneficial for their mental wellbeing. The technique is easy to learn, requiring little instruction to achieve great results.
Foundation Paper Piecing, by contrast, is more complex and can be quite challenging for beginners. It’s best learned in a structured workshop environment with expert guidance.