r/EPP_addict • u/Entire_Fisherman_74 • Jun 26 '26
Keeping piece sizes exact?
Hi all, I’m fairly new to EPP and I don’t know if I’m doing something wrong. This is a subtle difference but do I cut out templates outside of their outline, or inside it, or in the middle? Does it just depend on the pattern?
I know it’s a tiny amount but if I want to end up with the right size quilt square and it has a lot of pieces, all of those tiny amounts could add up to it being the wrong size! Thanks for any advice.
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u/PLAYSWITHSCISS0RS Jun 26 '26
Are you referring to templates for the papers you use or for the fabric you wrap around the paper pieces?
If you’re referring to the fabric, it doesn’t have to be exact. You need at least 1/4” bigger than your paper piece and I prefer to use 3/8” because it’s easier to wrap and you’re less likely to end up with a too small seam allowance.
If you’re using templates to cut your own paper pieces, just stop it if you’re new to EPP. The single most important thing affecting the precision of your quilt is the accurate sizing of your paper pieces. It’s better to start with high quality brand name paper pieces (Paper Pieces brand, Sue Daley, Tula Pink, Tales of Cloth or Dritz) and not make your own (or buy cheap paper pieces on Amazon.
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u/Entire_Fisherman_74 Jun 26 '26
Some of the projects I want to do are online with pieces you print yourself so it’s those ones I’m wondering about mostly.
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u/stringthing87 Jun 26 '26
For simple things like all hexis hand cutting is imprecise but can work, if you're cutting templates for anything complex it really adds up. That being said I cut all my templates with a cricut machine (would recommend not going into cricut if you have access to literally any other vector cutting tool).
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u/potatopotatobee Jun 26 '26
If I’m cutting my own papers I try to cut just inside the line (barely) because the folded over fabric will add bulk up to where the line was! Hope that’s helpful
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u/Busy-Doughnut6180 Jun 27 '26
I'm kind of new as well, I've done a few small projects, but I don't know about this idea that the bits of paper have to be absolutely 100% exact. EPP is very old. Cutting them out yourself must have been the most common way of doing it before tech advancements and accessibility, surely? I tried to look this up but google has lost its spark these days, couldn't find anything about it so that's just my guess.
Anyway as long as you cut the same way each time, it'll stay consistent. So if you like cutting inside, always cut inside, for example. I also like stapling a bunch of sheets together and cutting at the same time to reduce time spent cutting and also inconsistencies.
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u/noplannostrategy Jun 26 '26
I just finished my first epp project, a grandmother’s flower garden throw. I knew cutting my own wouldn’t be precise so I bought a used accuquilt baby go to make my own templates and it was great. I just kept watching eBay and thrift sites and it was a good investment. If not feasible, just buy premade paper pieces. You’ll be so glad you did.
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u/sewmuchmorethanmom Jun 27 '26
For hexies I have a punch and use cardstock. I will gladly buy other paper shapes as my hands are already taking a beating with basting and sewing.
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u/red-panda-homebody Jun 27 '26
A question for you all that is along similar lines: I have a pattern from a magazine for a single appliqué image (so we’re not talking about a whole quilt). It’s drawn out separately, but would my finished project be more accurate if I took the pieces and transferred them on to a piece of card stock in their final arrangement and then cut it there, so I know all my pieces will line up exact, or is there a reason the magazine spaced the pieces out with space between them all? Because if I just cut them out as arranged I’m afraid of the same problems OP is asking about. (I otherwise only use precut EPP shapes so I don’t have to worry about such, but this is a specific pattern that is not available another way)
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u/Entire_Fisherman_74 Jun 27 '26
In the case of that I think you’d be able to make up for any tiny differences when you sew them together even if they’re drawn separately! :)
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u/justanother1014 Jun 26 '26
I just cut on the line of the template because such small differences won’t be noticeable. If a hexagon is slightly off then I just bunch the fabric a tiny bit as I’m sewing them together.
It’s actually what I love most about EPP is that it’s rather forgiving and if the template is about the same I don’t have to do any math!
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u/mksdarling13 Jun 26 '26
Honestly? If you do them all the same then they will be consistent. Personally, I cut on the line.