Book Review: Learn How to English Paper Piece by Carolina Moore

Learn How to English Paper Piece by Carolina Moore book review on Underground Crafter - book cover

Are you looking for an on-the-go sewing project? Do you want to expand your sewing skills? When you’re learning a new technique, do you like step-by-step instructions? Then, you’ll love the latest book from Carolina Moore! Check out today’s post for my review, along with a chance to win a copy of the book and a starter kit of supplies.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. A free review copy of Learn How to English Paper Piece by Carolina Moore was provided to me by Nancy’s Notions. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review

Learn How to English Paper Piece: 10 Start-to-Finish English Paper Piecing Projects and the Techniques to Make Them! is the latest book by Carolina Moore. You may know Carolina as the blogger behind 30 Minute Crafts and Always Expect Moore, or as the co-author of Hot Glue Hacks and Crafts, which I reviewed here. I’m happy to say that I know Carolina in real life, and she’s a woman after my own heart. In addition to all of her creative talents, she’s also smart, assertive, and fun!

Now, that’s fascinating, you’re thinking, but what about the book? Let me tell you a bit about Learn How to English Paper Piece. It starts with an introduction to English paper piecing (also known as EPP), a hand-sewing technique to make shaped pieces for patchwork, applique, and quilting projects. As the name suggests, there is paper involved! The paper backing is removable but provides a structure so that sewists of all skill levels can make shapes like hexagons without learning complicated machine-sewing techniques.

Carolina’s introduction explains that EPP is portable, which makes it ideal for crafters like me who are always on-the-go. She also explains that you can make projects that combine multiple shapes, as long as the sides are the same length. This may seem obvious, but often times when you start a new technique, the “common sense” stuff isn’t all that obvious! The book then moves on to provide an overview of the tools you would use for EPP. Since the fabric needs to be basted to the paper, Carolina shares two basting methods. She also provides written instructions with photos to explain stitching methods for both hexagons and diamonds.

The book then moves on to the projects. I love that Carolina has included projects of different sizes and with different ratios of English paper piecing to machine sewing. Each project includes a list of supplies and written instructions with numerous progress pictures. There is also a large (generally full-page) photograph of each finished project shown in use with measurements. My favorite projects in the book are the Dream Catchers, which look like an amazing way to use up fabric scraps while getting near instant project gratification…

Learn How to English Paper Piece by Carolina Moore book review on Underground Crafter - Dream Catchers

the Diamond Tote, which is just sooooo pretty…

Learn How to English Paper Piece by Carolina Moore book review on Underground Crafter - Diamond Tote

and the Hexi Placemats, which would make a great gift.

Learn How to English Paper Piece by Carolina Moore book review on Underground Crafter - Hexi Placemats

Other projects include a pillow, two pouches, coasters, a mason jar cozy, a pillowcase dress, and a quilt.

Learn How to English Paper Piece by Carolina Moore book review on Underground Crafter - project list

Although the book does have lots of photographs and helpful instructions, it isn’t there to teach you how to sew or how to use your sewing machine. All of the projects in the book are finished with machine sewing and it’s assumed that readers know the basics. The book is compact but it’s also affordably priced at $9.99. I reviewed a PDF version of the book, but it’s available as a softcover exclusively on Nancy’s Notions here.

I will mention that while the book makes it seem completely attainable to do your own English paper piecing projects, the idea of cutting out lots of precise little hexagons and diamonds is a bit daunting. Of course, if you have a Cricut or another cutting machine, you can use that to cut out each piece. But, you’ll be glad to know that Nancy’s Notions also sells a Learn How to English Paper Piece Starter Set that includes the book along with 400 pre-cut hexagons (in two different sizes), fabric glue for basting, scissors, starch, and thread.

I recommend Learn How to English Paper Piece: 10 Start-to-Finish English Paper Piecing Projects and the Techniques to Make Them! for any sewist that is looking to expand skills, find project inspiration, or sew while on-the-go.

Would you like to find out more about the book? Check out the rest of the posts on the Learn How to English Paper Piece blog tour.

Giveaway

Now that you’ve read my review of Learn How to English Paper Piece: 10 Start-to-Finish English Paper Piecing Projects and the Techniques to Make Them! by Carolina Moore, I’m guessing you’re ready to get your hands on the book. Well, the nice folks at Nancy’s Notions have set aside a Learn How to English Paper Piece Starter Set for one lucky winner!
This giveaway is happening on Instagram and you can find all the details about how to enter in the embedded post below (or here, if it isn’t loading). Enter by midnight Eastern on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Good luck!

View this post on Instagram

Do you EPP? Do you want to learn how? … If you answered “YES!” to either of those questions, then I have the perfect giveaway for you! To celebrate the launch of my new book “Learn How to English Paper Piece” that has been published with @NancysNotions, we’re giving away everything you need to learn how to English Paper Piece (my book and all the items pictured)! To enter to win, make sure you are following each of the accounts listed below, then leave a comment. A comment on each account is an individual entry. For additional entries, you can leave a second comment on each account with a different quilty friend who might want to win! Winner will be selected Saturday, February 9th at Midnight, EST and has 24 hours after being contacted to respond. Good Luck! @craftmoore @poweredbyquilting @twomakerchicks @homecraftsbyali @phatquarters @snowydaysquilting @charmedlifequilting @swoodsonsays @linda_bratten .. .. Per Instagram rules, this promotion is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. By entering, entrants confirm that they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use. #quilt #epp #englishpaperpiecing #giveaway #quilter #handsewing #isew #ilovetosew

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