EPP Basics: Supplies

Hey y’all! This is the start of a multiple post series for EPP basics. I have had a lot of questions about EPP since I started the Hexie Flower SAL so I am here to answer them.

Required Supplies:

• Scissors
  • any sharp ones will do
  • I like smaller thread needles because I think they are more convenient to use and move about the house
• Needles
  • any needle that doesn’t have too big of an eye hole is good
  • I am currently favoring Richard Hemming & Son Size 10
• Thread
  • Cotton thread is recommended by the EPP community for longevity and strength so I have always used cotton thread
  • I currently use Gutermann 100% cotton from Joann’s, frankly because it is cheap
  • At some point I may try Aurifil thread because I have heard great things about it, but it is more expensive
  • A spool of thread for EPP goes a LONGGG way, so no need to ‘stock up’
  • You really only need a white and black spool to be good for most projects
  • If you prefer an invisible seamless thread look (no visible stitches), you may want to get a few colors too
• Paper pieces
  • If you don’t abuse your paper pieces, they should be able to be used around 3-4 times
  • There are multiple options to acquire paper pieces: drawing & cutting them (wowza lots of work), punching them (still a lot of work), & buying them (that’s what I do)
  • Paper pieces are measured by their sides (Ex. a 1″ hexie has 1″ sides). Watch your vendors, sometimes they do not follow the rules and instead measure across the hexagon, you do NOT want that.
  • Places to buy paper pieces:
    • Hive Paper Pieces on Etsy
      • I have bought from here. They US based so shipping is faster than Tales of Cloth. The papers are thicker from here though and I find them harder to bend and less convenient to sew together than Tales of Cloth
    • Tales of Cloth
      • Based in Australia which means US shipping can take a while and cost more. They have my favorite paper pieces though. The Goldilocks of papers; not too stiff and not too bendy. They are also made with recycled paper and in environmentally friendly packaging which is another bonus. She also sells EPP patterns and kits.
    • Paperpieces.com
      • I have never bought from here, but many people do
• Glue (required for glue basting, not for thread basting)
  • I have tried thread basting. I hate it. Holy time suck Batman. When I first started paper piecing I was thread basting, I almost quit EPP all together. Then I discovered glue basting.
  • Glue options:
    • Sewline Glue pin
      • Will give you a more precise gluing experience
      • A lot of people swear by these, but they are WAY more expensive than the next option.
    • Elmers purple washable glue sticks
      • This is what I use
      • I honestly think they work great and at a fraction of the sewline glue pen price
      • Super cheap & can be found at grocery stores everywhere
• Wonder clips (recommended)
  • I use them to hold my papers together while I am sewing so that I put less stress on my hands/joints
  • I always use them and love them, but they are an optional supply

Optional Supplies for Fussy Cutting:

• Hexie template
  • I am sure there are multiple places to buy these, but I really only know of one. I got mine in a set on amazon.
• Fiskars mini rotary cutter
  • If you are going to cut around the small hexie template, get this so you don’t slice your finger off or butcher the rest of your fabric. Seriously y’all.
• Omnigrid fold-away cutting mat
• You can use your regular cutting mat, but honestly I like to EPP all over my house and this is very portable