How to Use Nobody's Poet EPP Templates

Quick answer

To use Nobody's Poet EPP templates, cut fabric with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, baste the fabric around each paper piece, then whipstitch the hexagons together by matching edges. Avoid stretching the fabric or removing papers too early.

Step-by-step: Using Nobody's Poet EPP templates

1. Prepare your fabric and templates: Cut fabric squares or strips about 1/2 inch larger on each side than the hexagon template. Place the paper template in the center of the wrong side of the fabric. Common mistake: cutting fabric too small. Always leave at least 1/4-inch seam allowance beyond the paper edge.
2. Baste the fabric to the paper: Fold the seam allowance over the paper edge and secure with a stitch, glue stick, or clip. For thread basting, take a stitch through the fabric and paper near one corner, then fold and stitch the next side. Avoid pulling the thread tight—keep it loose enough to remove later. Checkpoint: ensure the fabric is smooth and taut, not puckered, especially at the corners.
3. Arrange your hexagons: Lay out the basted hexagons in your desired pattern. Nobody's Poet works well in rows or as a central medallion. Use a design wall or flat surface to preview the layout before stitching. Common mistake: not checking the layout before sewing. Re-arranging after stitching wastes time and may distort the fabric.
4. Whipstitch the hexagons together: Place two hexagons right sides together, matching the edges. Using a single strand of thread, take small whipstitches through the fabric folds only—do not pierce the paper. Stitch from one corner to the next, knotting at the start and end. Checkpoint: keep stitches even and close together (about 1/16 inch apart) for a secure seam that lies flat.
5. Remove the paper templates: Once all adjacent seams are sewn, gently remove the paper templates by pulling from the center outward. If the paper tears, use tweezers to remove remaining bits. Do not remove papers until the piece is fully surrounded by stitched neighbors, or the shape may distort. Common mistake: removing papers too early. Wait until at least two sides of a hexagon are sewn to maintain structure.
6. Press and admire your work: Press the finished block from the wrong side with a dry iron on a low setting. Avoid steam, which can warp the fabric. Trim any stray threads, and your Nobody's Poet piece is ready to join the quilt top. Checkpoint: pressing from the wrong side prevents shine marks and keeps seams crisp.

Product facts

• Nobody's Poet: This pattern, called Nobody's Poet, is part of the Eye Candy Quilts collection from Paper Pieces. Designed for English paper piecing projects. The templates are purpose-built for EPP, so you can trust the angles and edges to align perfectly without extra trimming.