Secret Garden EPP: How to Fussy Cut Floral Motifs

Quick Answer

To fussy cut floral motifs for Secret Garden EPP, select a fabric with clear repeat patterns, then align each paper piece over the specific flower or leaf you want to highlight before cutting with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Step-by-Step Fussy Cutting for Secret Garden EPP

1. Select a fabric with a clear repeat: Choose a fabric where flowers or leaves repeat at regular intervals. Hold the paper piece over the fabric and rotate it until the motif sits centered inside the shape. Common mistake: picking a fabric with too small or too random a print, which makes alignment difficult. A fabric with a 4-6 inch repeat works best for the Secret Garden pieces.
2. Trace around the paper piece with a fabric-safe marker: Place the paper piece on the right side of the fabric and trace its outline with a fine-tip marker or chalk. Add a 1/4-inch seam allowance by eye or use a template. Common mistake: tracing too close to the edge, leaving no allowance for basting. Always test your marker on a scrap first to ensure it vanishes with heat or water.
3. Cut out the shape with sharp scissors: Cut along the outer seam allowance line, not the traced shape itself. Use small, sharp scissors for curves and points. Common mistake: using dull scissors that fray the fabric edge, making accurate basting harder. Replace or sharpen scissors if you notice jagged cuts.
4. Baste the fabric to the paper piece: Fold the seam allowance over the paper edge and baste with thread or glue. Check that the motif stays centered as you work around the shape. Common mistake: pulling the fabric too tight, which distorts the motif. Start basting at the center of one edge and work outward to keep the fabric smooth.
5. Press and repeat for all pieces: Lightly press the basted piece with a dry iron to set the folds. Repeat steps 1-4 for each Secret Garden shape, keeping the same motif orientation for consistency. Common mistake: mixing motif directions, which breaks the visual flow when pieces are joined. Lay out all pieces on a design board before stitching to confirm the pattern reads as intended.

Product Used in This Guide

• Secret Garden by Carl Henstch of 3 Dog Design Co.: Secret Garden by Carl Hentsch of 3 Dog Design Co. is a distinctive paper piece set designed for English paper piecing enthusiasts. The set's unique shapes give you clear boundaries for placing floral motifs, making it ideal for practicing fussy cutting on an intermediate-level pattern.