Ultimate Paper Piecing Reference Guide: Everything Quilters Need to Know about Foundation (FPP) and English Paper Piecing (EPP)

By Carolina Moore

When it comes to using paper in your quilt designs, there are two techniques you can use -- English paper piecing (EPP), or foundation paper piecing (FPP). Normally, quilters are devoted to a particular paper piecing camp, but for those on the fence or anyone interested in trying and mastering both, Ultimate Paper Piecing Reference Guide is an absolute must-have quilting resource! A hardworking guide to both types of piecing, this quilt book covers it all and provides the tools and techniques, along with both simple and intricate block designs, for both EPP and FPP. With detailed step-by-step instructions, tips, and tricks, this is the reference guide you'll continue to turn to as you learn and refresh your paper piecing skillset! Author Carolina Moore is an award-winning quilter, pattern designer, author, and brand ambassador. Known for her popular blog, Always Expect Moore, and YouTube channel, she is also a quilting innovator who invented the Spot on Dot and the Boxed Bag Template.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Landauer
• Release date: Aug 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9781637412046

Book preview

Introduction Illustration

This reference guide will cover the major differences between English Paper Piecing and Foundation Paper Piecing, a common question for quilters of all skill levels. In the following pages, you’ll learn the basics of each technique, tips and tricks for success, pitfalls to avoid, and how to best use paper in your quilting. Then, you will be equipped to tackle all kinds of paper piecing patterns, convert existing patterns, and perhaps design your own patterns! I had so much fun packing over three decades of quilting tips and tricks into these pages.

For generations, quilters have used paper when quilting. From documenting quilting designs to making templates, paper is an essential tool for the craft. Paper also allows quilters to create more intricate and accurate designs than piecing with fabric alone. When using paper as a stabilizer during the piecing process, fabric stays put because the nonwoven paper keeps the woven fibers of the fabric from shifting and stretching. This extra stability prevents the natural movement in the fabric, as well as any stretch in the bias, which might otherwise skew the pieced design. These more accurate piecing methods allow quilters to make complex and intricate designs with very precise piecing.

The two most popular techniques using paper in quilting are English Paper Piecing (EPP) and Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP). Though they both use the term paper piecing, the two techniques are quite different, and thus the term paper piecing alone can be the cause of some confusion. Are the directions referring to FPP or EPP? That’s a question you would need answered before purchasing a pattern or diving into a project.

English Paper Piecing uses cardstock or heavy paper templates that are cut to size. Fabric is secured over the paper templates with basting stitches or glue, and then the fabric pieces are hand stitched together. Once the pieces have been stitched together, the paper templates are removed. Often, paper templates can be reused multiple times.

Foundation Paper Piecing uses lightweight paper, often newsprint or similar materials, with the pattern printed or drawn on the paper. Fabric is placed on the back of the paper, and a sewing machine is used to stitch on the printed lines. As each new fabric piece is placed, stitched, and trimmed, the design comes together. With traditional Foundation Paper Piecing, the paper is torn as it is removed and discarded. However, some modern techniques do allow for freezer paper patterns to be reused or nonpaper foundations to stay in after piecing.

When you’ve reached the final page of this book, your journey doesn’t end there! Combining paper and fabric gives you creative license not available with traditional piecing. You can create wild and unconventional designs or precision quilts when you learn the magic of using paper and fabric together. It is my sincere hope that these techniques inspire you