English Paper Piecing Techniques

I've been surfing the net looking for English paper piecing techniques and tips. Here are some of the gems (links are in red) I've uncovered. (Visit my previous posting to learn about precut papers. )

Jackie Wills demos how to cover the templates with fabric

She uses a fabric square to cover the hexagon -- no need to trim the fabric to a hexagon shape. This is a real time saver. I used this method for both the brown flower and the tafetta flower (see photo below).

Basting can be done with old thread. Use the best quality thread for joining your polygons.

She makes a chain of hexagons -- no need to start a new thread for each one. I tried this method on both flowers and it works quite well. It's a real time (and thread) saver.

Jackie Wills demos how to join hexagons

I recommend positioning all the hexagons before you start stitching so you can join your hexagons exactly the way you want them.

Jackie keeps the same thread going for multiple seams. I tried this method and it works very well. I thought it would be difficult to do that large "jump stitch" and then encase it in the whip stitches but it's no problem at all.

She joins hexagons in straight rows as an easier way to put the quilt together. This method might not work easily for Grandmother's Flower Garden but it would work for some other arrangements of hexagons and other polygons.

Jackie Wills demos how to remove the papers from the quilt
Demo begins at ~2:30.
Paper should not be removed until the hexagon has been attached to other hexagons on all six sides. That's NOT what I did in the photos here. I was making up my own method for appliqueing the flower onto a backing. Turns out the correct method is to: leave the papers in place, applique the flower onto the backing, cut the backing fabric away leaving a 1/4 inch margin and exposing the backs of the hexagons, and then remove the papers.

Jackie Wills demos how to join diamond templates

Learn about leaving the tails wagging! I've not tried this yet.

Alternate Basting Method

Another source suggests: do not stitch into the papers and do make all your basting stitches on the wrong side of the hexagons. That means when it's time to remove the papers, you just pull them out. There's no need to clip and pull out the basting stitches. I used this method on the center hexagon of the brown flower, and on all the hexagons in the taffeta flower. I think I like it. I might have to try both methods a few more times before I'm sure.

Finishing the Edge
I've not done this yet but I'm going to save this link in case I need to finish a polygon quilt.