Hello friends. I’m Anorina Morris from the blog Samelia’sMum and I’m pleased to be sharing a fun little English paper piecing (EPP) pincushion project with you today.
The EPP template which I’ve used is actually a flower, rather than the regular hexagon (which we all know and love). It’s quite simple to make and in my opinion, very lovely.
To make this EPP flower, you can purchase a paper set – I use the 1″ hexagon petal paper set by Sue Daley Designs – or follow this link to print, trace and cut out the templates to create your own papers.
Choose some of your favourite fabrics – I used Strawberry Biscuit by Elea Lutz and The Shabby Strawberry by Emily Hayes for Penny Rose Fabrics.
1. Cut approximately 3/8″ outside of the paper template.
2. a thin line of glue along the curved edge of the paper. Finger press the fabric over the paper on to the glue, from the centre of the curve, down the left (until the curve ends). Go back to the centre and repeat for the right side of the curve.
3. Next step is to add some glue and fold the sides.
4. Finally add a line of glue at the bottom and fold up the final raw piece.
5. One petal is now complete. Create 6 petals and 1 hexagon.
6. Sew the EPP flower as you would normally sew a hexagon (right sides together and slip stitch with teeny tiny invisible stitches).
Included in the printout is the circle shape which I used for my pincushion, but you can use any circle size you like. Just go through your plates or bowls until you find one which you like.
Press the EPP flower, remove the backing papers and applique the flower to a background fabric. Cut out a backing circle the same size as the front and sew up your pincushion.
I couldn’t stop at only one pincushion, so I’ve made one with a ric rac edge. Another, I added a layer of thin batting and hand quilted around the flower. I then sewed and stuffed the pincushion and added a pretty spotty/lace binding.
Add as much or as little embellishment as you like to the pincushion… and then go forth and create more and more. I made 3 today, but have a couple more EPP flowers ready to make some more. These will make lovely gifts for sewing friends or just make up a bunch and keep them all for yourself.
Happy stitching,
Anorina
www.sameliasmum.com
