On this page
How are hexie templates measured?
Hexagon papers are sized by the length of one side, not the width. Paper Pieces, which makes precut papers for English paper piecing, says standard shapes such as hexagons and diamonds are measured along an outside edge, so you know which shapes will fit next to each other. Apple Green Cottage explains that a 1 inch hexagon has six 1 inch edges, so it is 2 inches across from point to point.
| Side length | Point to point |
|---|---|
| 1/2 inch | 1 inch |
| 1 inch | 2 inches |
| 2 inches | 4 inches |
If a pattern gives a size, check whether it means the side or the width before you print or buy papers.
How much seam allowance does English paper piecing need?
The fabric needs to be bigger than the paper so you can fold it over the edges. Advice varies a little:
- Paper Pieces calls 3/8 inch or 1/4 inch a personal preference: 1/4 inch gives slightly less bulk and less fabric waste, while 3/8 inch gives a little more room while basting and is preferred by many of its customers.
- Ships and Violins uses a 1 inch hexagon with a 3/8 inch seam allowance as the template for cutting fabric.
- Apple Green Cottage says to cut fabric at least 1/4 inch larger all round, and that she cuts more like 1/2 inch larger for 1 inch hexies.
Paper Pieces also suggests cutting squares instead of hexagons to save time: double the side length and add 1/2 inch, so a 2 inch hexagon uses a 4 1/2 inch square of fabric.
How do you print EPP templates at the right size?
If a template prints at the wrong scale, every piece will be off, so check it before you cut:
- Print at 100%. Ships and Violins says to print its templates at 100% scale.
- Check a test square. Ships and Violins asks you to confirm that a 1 inch by 1 inch square on the sheet measures correctly before cutting.
- Use card if you can. Ships and Violins says printing on cardstock is a must for its method; Apple Green Cottage says thin card is a good option but not essential, and that paper templates can be reused.
How do you use the templates?
Ships and Violins describes a simple method with two templates:
- Cut out the plain 1 inch hexagons. These are the papers you wrap fabric around.
- Use the hexagon with the seam allowance to trace onto the right side of your fabric, then cut along the lines. Staggering the hexagons so they share edges saves tracing and cutting.
- Put a paper hexagon in the centre of each fabric piece, wrong side up, and fix the fabric over the edges with a glue stick or glue pen.
Apple Green Cottage uses a school glue stick to tack the fabric to the paper, and says some people pin instead.
Questions people ask
How big is a 1 inch hexagon?
Each side is 1 inch, so it measures 2 inches from point to point.
What seam allowance should I use for EPP?
Paper Pieces says 3/8 inch or 1/4 inch is a personal preference. Apple Green Cottage says at least 1/4 inch all round.
Why are my printed hexies the wrong size?
Check your print settings. Ships and Violins says to print at 100% scale and to confirm a 1 inch test square measures correctly.
Can I reuse paper templates?
Yes. Paper Pieces says its card papers are meant to be reused while the corners, points and edges are in good condition, and Apple Green Cottage says paper hexie templates can be reused too.
Where EPP Hexie Templates helps, and where it does not
EPP Hexie Templates is our Android app for printing English paper piecing templates at true size. Choose a shape and size in millimetres or inches and a seam allowance (1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 inch, or your own), then print paper pieces at the finished size, packed so neighbours share a cut line, fabric templates with the seam line solid and the paper size dashed, or both. Every sheet has a 1 inch check square and a 5 cm ruler. Hexagons and squares are free; free sheets carry a small line naming the app. A one-time Pro purchase adds diamond, triangle, half hexagon, coffin, octagon, pentagon, kite, tumbler, apple core, clamshell, house, half square triangle and half rectangle triangle shapes, piece counts over several sheets, fussy cut windows and cutting machine SVGs. There is no subscription, and your templates stay on your phone.
What it is good for: drawing the hexie size a pattern calls for, with the seam line already drawn, instead of searching for a download that happens to match.
What it will not do: it cannot control your printer. Print at 100% or actual size and measure a printed template with a ruler (PDF exports include a 1 inch check square for this) before you cut a stack of papers. It also does not plan a whole quilt or work out fabric quantities.
Questions or bugs: Email us.
Sources
- English Paper Piecing Photo Tutorial: Hexagon EPP FlowersShips and Violins shipsandviolins.com
- Free Hexagon Templates For English Paper PiecingApple Green Cottage applegreencottage.com
- Frequently Asked QuestionsPaper Pieces paperpieces.com
- EPP: Throw Out The Rule BookPaper Pieces paperpieces.com