With paper piecing in the name of both it’s easy to get foundation paper piecing and English paper piecing confused, especially if you are new to quilting. The abbreviations are also very similar too, FPP for foundation paper piecing and EPP for English Paper Piecing. They are in fact two very different techniques, one involving hand stitching and one involving machine piecing.
What is foundation paper piecing?
Foundation piecing is a method of quilting that allows you to use small scraps to sew detailed designs, or designs which require precision piecing by sewing through lines on paper which you then tear off afterwards. You can use free foundation patterns, purchased patterns or downloads from books and magazines which you either print directly onto the paper, trace onto the paper or draw on freehand. You sew along the lines to ensure precision, this allows you to create designs that would be very tricky using traditional piecing methods such as the Millennium Falcon cushion I made shown above (free pattern here).
We have written a beginner’s guide to foundation paper piecing plus we sell paper especially designed for foundation piecing too.
An English Paper Pieced Lion
What is English Paper Piecing?… Read More...
