A Bit of Whimsy

As much as I love English Paper Piecing (EPP), I have to admit that cutting all those paper shapes can feel daunting, and I know I am not the only one who feels that way. You can now buy pre-cut papers in almost every shape and size, but that means waiting for them to arrive, and I am not very good at waiting when inspiration strikes. Sometimes you also can’t find exactly what you are looking for, like the tiny 1/4" hexagons I often use in smaller makes. That’s why I prefer making my own papers at home - it gives me full control over the shapes I need and exactly how many I print.

 

I love tiny, cute things - they truly make me smile and warm my heart. A while ago, when I needed some 1/2" hexies, I decided to make my own and add a little ladybug to each just for fun. It instantly made the cutting process much more enjoyable. It’s amazing how a small, playful touch can spark creativity and inspiration.

This sweet 1/4" hexie bloom ended up on a needle case - a small, simple addition to plain linen can instantly transform anything ordinary into a unique and special make.

The pattern for the Needle Case can be found here.

Whenever I shared a post featuring my own EPP papers, I was flooded with questions about where they came from. So I decided to bring a little charm to everyone and designed a set of templates. Now you can enjoy that same instant mood lift and inspiration boost whenever you need it, printing as many shapes as your project requires, at any time and hopefully with a smile along the way.

This charming hexagon template set includes five sizes of English Paper Piecing shapes - 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" and 1", each adorned with a delightful design. You can purchase the hexagon template set here.

For square EPP, I have also put together a sweet template set with five sizes - ⅜ inch, ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, and 1½ inch. These squares feature their own adorable designs, slightly different from the hexie set, and they are printed in colour to add even more charm and whimsy - so the EPP preparation stage feels even a bit more playful. You can purchase the square templates set here.

Four ¾″ squares fit perfectly on this mini pouch. What I like most about using squares to embellish any make is that you can use the most precious fussy cut pieces of fabric in your stash and turn them into a small treasure. Mini Drawstring Treasure Pouch Pattern can be found here.

Alternatively, you can use any number of squares to sew a whimsical panel and turn it into a zipper pouch sewn by hand.

I hope these templates bring a little extra joy to your EPP adventures - happy stitching! Larisa xo