This is just a guide to English Paper Piecing, but I hope it helps you take the plunge!
You will need paper hexagons - I like to use paper similar in weight to good writing paper, a needle needs to go through it easily, and it needs to support the fabric.
You will also need fabric which when cut gives you at least 1/4" ideally nearer to 1/2" seam allowance around the paper template. Don't forget that traditionally patchwork uses recycled fabrics, so shirts, dresses etc can be used.
Place a paper hexagon in the centre of the wrong side of the fabric hexagon.
Fold the fabric over the template
Use a knot in the end of the thread, and tack through
the fabric and paper.
When you have
covered all the templates, select one for the centre.
With the right
sides of the hexagons facing, place 2 together, and sew together along one
edge, using tiny over sewing stitches.
I use a
cream/off white thread for mine, it blends with most colours
Continue to
add hexagons, sewing them together with the centre hexagon and up the first
side of the neighbouring hexagon.
You may need
to fold an attached hexagon in half to be able to easily sew it to its
neighbour
When all the hexagons are sewn
together, you have the first flower of a Flower Garden quilt. You can continue to add to this as you
find/borrow shirts, summer dresses from your friends & family. It need not be a costly hobby, upcycling is the traditional patchwork. Just try
and use fabrics of similar weights.
Once a hexagon is sewn to another
on all 7 sides, you can remove the tacking, and then the papers.
The flowers can then joined together with a contrasting, in this case white, row of hexagons to form a quilt
Good luck and a warning, its addictive!
