Step by Step on how to thread-baste and sew hexagons
If you’re into quilting you probably have heard about English Paper Piecing. This technique is different from Foundation Paper Piecing, and I find it important to explain to you this difference right now, at the beginning!
English Paper Piecing (EPP) is a method of quilting that involves using a paper shape, hexagon is the most common, to add stability to the quilt. The fabric is basted to the paper shapes before the shapes are sewn together. The quilt is hand-stitched with pieces of fabric cut to ¼ inch bigger than the paper shape. Once the quilt top is completed the papers are removed and the quilt top is then basted and quilted as in a regular quilt.
Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) is generally done by sewing machine, stitching scraps of fabric to a full patchwork template to create realistic image effects. After the sewing is complete when the whole image is covered, the papers are removed from the back of the block and the block is used as a regular quilt block.
How to get started with English Paper Piecing?
When you think about EPP the type of paper you will use is a good start! There are many options to buy precut hexagons shapes online, that come in several different sizes, but for me, the most efficient, budget-friendly, and environment-friendly are the good old boxes we have at home that every day make their way to the recycle bin!
There are several shapes that you can find on the internet for English Paper Piecing, but in this tutorial, we will start with the basic hexagon shape and I will show you based on a one-time purchase method, a way of cutting your own at home endlessly!
Each quilter has their preference, so let me tell you about some details that will make a difference as you get more into it.
Some quilters prefer hexagons that have a hole in the middle, which sometimes makes it easier to pull the paper out of the hexie (this is another common way of calling a hexagon in EPP) once the sewing is done. Using this DIY cutting method that I am teaching, your regular hole punch will do it, and if you’re buying the precut shapes you will definitely be able to choose with to without as well. In my opinion, it is not necessary, but sometimes I do use the hole to pull the paper out.
On an important note, you figure out the size of a hexagon for EPP by knowing its side size. In the example below the size of this hexie is 2 inches.
To cut my own paper shapes I use the punch below, I have two, one 1 inch (X-large size) and I also have a 3/4 inch (large size).
For the papers, I use all boxes that would go from my pantry or junk mail straight to recycle (cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, candy boxes, etc). This punch will not cut thick paper, that is why I use the thinner cardboard type more often, for better stability.
What about the fabrics?
Very often scrap fabrics are used for EPP, but other times when there is a pattern to follow or the project is larger, then regular yardage is used and the shapes are cut first into squares to better calculate the amount of fabric needed, then each square is cut around the hexagon shape adding 1/4 inch all around, so it has space for basting.
I use scraps 100% of the time as most of what I work on is very colorful and small in general, with no need for anything bigger than a fat quarter.
I carefully iron all my scrap fabrics and cut them a half-inch bigger than the hexagon shape I am using and then cut the scrap square corners around the hexagons.
Needle and thread…and glue!
I spent a long time trying to figure out what worked best for me in terms of basting hexies. There are different ways of basting and the way I will teach you here is, in my opinion, the most efficient one.
For the method I use, I still like to use a tiny bit of glue to simply hold the hexagon on the fabric while I fold the fabric to stitch its corners closed to hold the shape.
There are methods such as stitching through the fabric, where the stitches show in the front of the hexagon, and 100% glue basting.
I found that stitching the corners of the fabric on the back of the hexagon only (and using the glue just to help hold it as I said) doesn’t require any other effort from me after the project is done but simply remove the papers from the back of the project, and it basically pops out on its own, whereas on the other hand for the glue basting method, the time you save from thread basting you spend on pulling the paper out afterward with all that glue on, eeeek!!!!
But wait, don’t get confused!!!!! I will guide you through!
As I said before, to each quilter their preference and it’s no different when it comes to the size of the needle, and thickness of thread, cotton or polyester, etc and etc.
I use needles NO.9 (find it here) and Mettler thread No.60 100% Cotton is definitely my favorite one to baste and hand sew the hexagons (find it here).
One thing to have in mind, because the sewing is done by hand, the precision on each stitch will be slightly different and it may show on the front, so the thinner the thread the better!
So let’s get started basting our hexies!
Before anything, using a glue stick, spread a tiny bit of glue on the center of the shiny side of your hexagon (if you’re using recycled one, if not, use the glue on any side), unfortunately, I missed taking a picture of this step, but that is it, just use that bit of glue on your shape for each hexie you baste.
Now, following from step #1, with the cardboard side up and your pretty side of the fabric out, and already both being held by glue in the middle of the paper, fold in the first side on the right (#2) and hold it with your thumb.
To prepare your thread, make a knot at the end of the thread, connecting the two ends after inserting it through the needle.
Work counterclockwise, fold the next corner on top of the first, and hold with your thumb (#3). Insert the threaded needle through the fold you were holding and pull (#4).
Repeat this process once again (#5), you will sew through twice on every corner (#6).
Fold the fabric down and the next side on top of it(#7). Sew through the fold twice to secure (#8).
Repeat this process for the other corners (#9, #10, and #11), and on the last corner tie it once more (in addition to the two sewing loops) and cut the thread.
YOU’VE BASTED YOUR FIRST HEXAGON!!!!!! Now keep on practicing and in no time I can guarantee you, you’ll be basting these in 30 seconds!
Time to sew our hexies together 🙂
Once you have basted all the hexies you will need for your project (Pinterest has many many inspirations for patterns and I also have a cute Needle book tutorial here on my blog!!) it’s time to get sewing!
Here’s an inspirational photo for you, the flowers below are part of my Needle book tutorial! Don’t forget to check it out once you’re ready!
Using two basted hexagons facing outer sides together, insert the threaded needle and pull all the way through (#1). Reinsert the needle on the left of the previous stitch and pull (#2).
Repeat this process (#3), always to the left (at least for me it works best from right to left, but you will find what’s more comfortable for you!). I’ve gotten to the common number of 12 to 14 stitches per side on a 1-inch hexie.
Once you’re done insert the needle back through both hexagons (#4) and follow the next steps.
On the last stitch, before pulling the needle all the way through, insert it through the loop to make a knot and tie the end (#5), then insert the needle on the side below the stitches to hide the thread end under the side as shown in step #6.
Cut the thread (#7) and you’re done (#8)!!!!
To continue sewing around the sides of the hexagon, it will be necessary to fold the previous sewn hexagon.
Simply fold the hexagon you had previously sewn (#9) align the next sides of the two hexagons to be sewn and start stitching in the very corner (#10) for not having any gaps or large spaces in between the Y shape it forms.
At the end of every side, don’t forget to tie a knot (#11) as in step #5, but VERY IMPORTANT, just cut the thread if there are no more subsequent sides to be sewn.
Finally, check your project every now and then to see how the stitches are going (#12), and keep on sewing!!!
Don’t forget that PRACTICE makes perfect and projects like this require a lot of practice to be perfected!!! So don’t give up!
Here’s my example project finished for its first section!!
The fun of English Paper Piecing is to enjoy the slow stitching and see the pattern forming.
Removing the paper from the back is also veeeeery rewarding! I find it helpful using That Purple Thang (find it here), or even the tip of scissors also help, just be careful for not punching a hole on your fabric!!!
Press your project to set the seams and reuse the hexagons!!! Another good thing about thread basting on the back is that the papers come out intact, sometimes I press them just to get them flat again and reuse, reuse…
This looks addictive and so relaxing🧘🏻♀️I may give it a try.👋🏻
It really is!!! I work on it every night a little bit before bed, just to slow down, I am sure you will love it!
Great tutorial Daisi. I will be giving these a try!
Thank you!!! Can’t wait to see your EPP work!!!
Good tutorial, Daisi! I have always basted my hexies with thread–have not tried any glue, but I baste through the sides and pull out the basting thread before removing the papers. I am going to try doing the corners, as you do. That looks faster to me–and there would be no need to remove the basting thread. Have you used the Crafter’s Edge dies? I have the EPP hexie one but haven’t used it yet. Guess I should… Thanks for sharing your method!
Hello Carol!!!! Thank you 🙂
Oh I haven’t used Crafter’s Edge dies for it, it’s just so quick with the punch!!!
Thanks for reading!!! Let me know what you thought of this basting method later 😉