Often times I have time left on my lunch break, after I eat. If I'm not reading or visiting antique/flea markets, I will be working on a crocheted or hand sewn project.
I recently bought a small English Paper Piecing kit to give it a try. I must admit I didn't expect to like the process but wanted to try it, just to say I did.
Surprise...Surprise! I truly like to English Paper Piece. It is a great way to work on a project when you are limited in space or time.
Here's how it's done. A template is used to create the shapes. Feeling for the edge of the template as you stitch allows you to keep your stitches even. You do not stitch through the template in this method, making the template reusable.
Supplies: Fabric Squares (2" in this case) and templates (hexagon here. can use other shapes)
Fold fabric down over edge of template firmly on two sides, creating a sharp corner in the fabric and tack down. Move to next two sides and repeat.
I figured out, while I was working on this to tie square knots at each corner instead of tacking, then clipping each time. It made the process go faster.
Square knot: right end over left and through, then left end over right and through.
Stitch a center block and six outer blocks. Use a whip stitch to stitch the outer blocks to the center block using the top edge of the template as a guide to stitch.
Once the outer blocks are stitched to center block, trim the fabric overlap on the center block to 1/4" and remove template.
Can reuse the template later.
Once the center template is out, you can then fold the piece to stitch the sides of the outside pieces together.
Once you have the sides of the outer pieces sewn together, trim the overlapped fabric to 1/4" and remove the templates.
If using paper pieces you can press before you remove templates. Otherwise, press after templates are removed.
Here are some samples of finished blocks. The smaller one is made using 1" blocks of fabric and smaller template.
I think these will look nice on a background with appliqued stems and leaves, creating a bouquet of flowers.
So there you have it.
If you would like a easy small hand sewing project, try out English Paper Piecing.
There are several ways to do it and you can find all kind of videos for it on YouTube. I prefer this method the best.
Hugs,
Sonia
I recently bought a small English Paper Piecing kit to give it a try. I must admit I didn't expect to like the process but wanted to try it, just to say I did.
Surprise...Surprise! I truly like to English Paper Piece. It is a great way to work on a project when you are limited in space or time.
Here's how it's done. A template is used to create the shapes. Feeling for the edge of the template as you stitch allows you to keep your stitches even. You do not stitch through the template in this method, making the template reusable.
Supplies: Fabric Squares (2" in this case) and templates (hexagon here. can use other shapes)
The templates are made of heavy stock paper, cardboard, plastic, Mylar, or acrylic.
I'm using heavy stock paper templates in this project.
Place template on wrong side of fabric, can pin in place to keep it secure.
Stitch a center block and six outer blocks. Use a whip stitch to stitch the outer blocks to the center block using the top edge of the template as a guide to stitch.
Once the outer blocks are stitched to center block, trim the fabric overlap on the center block to 1/4" and remove template.
Can reuse the template later.
Once the center template is out, you can then fold the piece to stitch the sides of the outside pieces together.
Once you have the sides of the outer pieces sewn together, trim the overlapped fabric to 1/4" and remove the templates.
If using paper pieces you can press before you remove templates. Otherwise, press after templates are removed.
Here are some samples of finished blocks. The smaller one is made using 1" blocks of fabric and smaller template.
I think these will look nice on a background with appliqued stems and leaves, creating a bouquet of flowers.
So there you have it.
If you would like a easy small hand sewing project, try out English Paper Piecing.
There are several ways to do it and you can find all kind of videos for it on YouTube. I prefer this method the best.
Hugs,
Sonia
