English paper piecing: a beginner's guide
Fabric wrapped round paper shapes, then joined by hand. Perfect for hexagons and sewing on the go.
- Each shape is made separately: fabric is wrapped round a paper template and basted with thread or glue.
- Shapes are then joined by hand with tiny whipstitches.
- It works best for shapes with many set-in corners, like hexagons.
- Because it's all by hand, it is a great portable project.
- A seven-hexagon flower is the classic first piece.
Watch
I wish I knew this when I started EPP - Beginners Guide to English Paper Piecing (23:51)
By Emma Jones Vintage Sewing Box · Open on YouTube
Chosen from its title and channel: a 23-minute video from Emma Jones Vintage Sewing Box on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.
All guides ›English paper piecing
Sources
All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.