rvsfan

I always see references to EPP. Is there another type of paper piecing, and if so, what's it called? TIA

NZquilter

There is the paper piecing technique where the paper is used as the foundation for the quilt block. I always simply called it "paper piecing" but it may have another more high-tech name.

EPP means English paper piecing , which is generally hand sewn with paper templates. Here's a YouTube video on it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=68VRD_0OcSM

I have never done EPP, but I love the results and admire those who are brave enough for the challenge!

Onebyone

This is what I was taught. EPP is usually making hexagons and other shapes by sewing fabric around a paper template. Foundation paper piecing is sewing fabric on paper with no pattern printed on the paper, like string piecing on phone book pages. Paper Piecing is sewing fabric on paper with the pattern printed on the paper.

Tartan

There is PPP . The paperless paper piecing is when you have the pattern printed on paper but rather then sewing the fabric on the paper and tearing it away later, the paper is folded back on the line and you stitch beside it.

QuiltnNan

this is the method i always use, but never heard it called the paperless method. i just call it the fold back method. thanks for enlightening me

Kitsie

Some people use freezer paper so that you can iron the paper to the fabric - easy to tear off later. Most like me, iron it onto the back of the fabric but some put it on the front. If you iron to the back, you must reverse the printed pattern.
Afix the top inch of FP onto a normal paper sheet and feed through the printer to print the pattern.

feline fanatic

I too have never heard this method called that. When I do the fold back method of PP, I use freezer paper so I can iron the pattern pieces to the fabric and they stay put until I peel them away for the next unit. I prepare the FP by laying my printed pattern on several layers of FP (hit with the tip of my iron in several spots so they don't shift) and sewing the pattern on to it with my machine and unthreaded needle. This is the method taught in Judy Mathieson's book Mariner's Compass Quilts: Setting a New Course. https://www.amazon.com/Mariners-Comp.../dp/1571203001 It not only creates multiple pattern pieces at once but also perforates the fold line so it folds back much easier. I have found that while I do like this method a lot and get great results, it is still not quite as accurate as regular paper piecing when you stitch through the paper and tear away.

Here is a great blog that presents side by side presentations of both FP method and traditional method with lots of pics. Also has a great side by side photo showing the difference in accuracy and other issues the author found as to why she preferred one method over the other. I did my own experiment and did find regular PP to be more accurate just as this blogger said but also like this blogger, I find the benefits of FPP to outweigh the minuscule loss of accuracy.

https://denversews.com/2014/03/07/fo...freezer-paper/

mic-pa

I have done English Paper Pc'g using the hexagon shaped papers all done by hand . Then I also attended classes with Carol Doak on foundation paper pc'g all done on the machine. Enjoyed both but no longer do much hand quilting or pc'g

joivey

Thank you so much for this question and the many informative replies. I am interested in PP also and I am so glad to learn from others who have already done the homework.

maviskw

You can do this type of Paperless Paper Piecing with regular copy paper. We can get 20 blocks out of the same piece of paper. The creases are folded into it at the beginning and can be used for each block. I use the back edge of a seam ripper with a ruler to lightly crease the paper before it is folded. That makes the fold more accurate and straight.

This method also saves fabric, as the first fabrics are trimmed at a quarter inch (or an eight inch with tiny pieces) and the edge of the next piece is lined up with that cut edge. Easier to see where the piece fits. My Add-a-quarter and Add-an-eighth rulers are wonderful for this.