Alice's Wonderland English Paper Piecing Club

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Alice’s Wonderland Paper Piecing Club Supply List This group will introduce you to or give you some practice with English Paper Piecing methods. English Paper Piecing (EPP) is an age old method of sewing fabric shapes together to create larger fabric panels. It’s a creative, fun and addictive process. Instead of precisely cutting and machine piecing with exact seam allowances, EPP uses fabric wrapped around paper foundation patterns and traditionally stitched by hand to create patchwork designs. The design possibilities are varied and endless. EPP makes a great take along project to work on when traveling or for handwork while relaxing in your easy chair. My EPP sewing kit always contains an ongoing project and is ready to take with me everywhere! In this class we’ll explore the following: • Fabrics, papers, templates and notions that will help you outfit your EPP sewing kit. • Techniques for selecting, drafting/duplicating and using paper pieces and templates. • Methods to apply fabric to the paper pieces with thread or glue basting. • Joining the paper pieces together to construct pieced motifs and fabric panels. • Completing your EPP project and finishing the edges. Required Book: “Alice’s Wonderland Sampler Quilt” Fabrics: Assortment of fabric scraps. Fat quarters are a good choice for EPP. I made the blocks for the class sample using (8) pieces of coordinating fabrics measuring 1/8 yard each. Providing a nice assortment of different designs of coordinating print/colors. Supplies for your EPP sewing kit: The following notions will be on hand in class to try if you don’t already own them. I’ll explain options and rationale for selecting notions for your hand sewing kit as we go along. My rule #1 for my sewing kit is to keep my favorite notions/tools small and portable. Thread: 60 wt. thread preferred. “Coats & Clark Paper Piecing” thread is a favorite. To avoid a large selection of colors, we generally stick with neutral colors for EPP. Colors like ecru, grey and other neutrals are favored. We’ll explore thread preferences in class. Thread conditioner: “Thread Heaven” is my go-to. Needles: I think that any needle that is comfortable in your hand and is “threadable”, is a good choice. Many paper piecers prefer milliners needles. I generally find that #9-#10 sharps or embroidery needles work well for my hand piecing. Needle threader: Bring it if you routinely use one. There are numerous options. Thimble: I don’t like the old ones, but I’m addicted to the adhesive dots like “Thimblepads”. Glue: A glue pen with refills such as “Sewline” is a great choice for use on fabric. I also keep white glue, like “Roxanne Glue-Baste-It” on hand. Small Fabric Clips: Much better for hand sewing that pins (ouch!) I’ll also introduce you to using small magnets like “SewTites” for securing paper pieces while sewing. Fabric marking pen or pencil: I keep a chalk or a “Frixion” heat erasable pen handy. Fabric Scissors: for cutting fabrics and snipping threads. Paper scissors: for cutting paper pieces. Seam ripper: Hoping we won’t need one! Stiletto: I find my “Purple Thang” useful or other notions/objects that have points and edges without being sharp. Fabric roller: I recommend one for flattening edges instead of an iron (a roller is portable and fits in my kit!. If you prefer ironing your fabrics as you go, feel free to bring a small one. Single Hole Punch: I’ll share mine if you don’t have one. Small ruler: A 1” X 6” ruler is handy. You may also consider a 6” “Add-A-Quarter” ruler