Seven Sisters EPP Pattern: Layout & Fabric Ideas
By Paper Pieces for English Paper Piecing | Published: 2026-10-27
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to lay out the Seven Sisters EPP quilt block and choose fabrics that make the six-point diamonds and trapezoids shine.
Quick answer
The Seven Sisters EPP pattern uses six-point diamonds and trapezoids to form seven stars per block. For best contrast, pair a light fabric for the large triangles with medium-value prints for the diamonds.
Why the diamond placement matters
In the Seven Sisters pattern, each block shares diamonds with its neighbors. This creates a continuous star field but also means a single misplaced fabric can break the visual flow. Choose fabrics that work well together across multiple blocks, not just one.
The large triangles between the stars act as background space. A busy print here can make the stars hard to read, so consider a solid or tone-on-tone fabric for those pieces.
Seven Sisters block layout and fabric selection steps
- 1. Understand the block geometry: Each Seven Sisters block has seven stars. Six of these stars surround one center star. The stars are made from six-point diamonds, and the spaces between them are filled with trapezoids and large triangles. Common mistake: Treating the large triangles as part of the stars. They are background pieces, so choose a fabric that recedes.
- 2. Select fabrics for the diamonds: Choose 2-4 medium-value prints for the six-point diamonds. Because diamonds are shared between adjacent blocks, each fabric will appear in multiple stars. Keep the value range narrow so no single diamond overwhelms the pattern. Checkpoint: Lay out all diamonds for one block before sewing. If two adjacent diamonds have the same value, swap one for a lighter or darker print.
- 3. Choose fabric for the large triangles: Use a light, low-contrast fabric (solid, tone-on-tone, or very small print) for the large triangles. This makes the stars pop and prevents the background from competing with the diamond pattern. Common mistake: Using a high-contrast print for the triangles, which can make the stars disappear into the background.
- 4. Pick a fabric for the trapezoids: The trapezoids finish the outer edges of each block. Use a fabric that bridges the diamonds and the triangles. A medium-light print or a color that appears in the diamonds works well. Checkpoint: Hold the trapezoid fabric next to both a diamond and a triangle. If it clashes with either, choose a different option.
- 5. Test the layout before basting: Arrange all pieces for one block on a flat surface. Check that the star shapes are readable and the fabric values create a balanced look. Adjust any piece that feels too dark or too light relative to its neighbors. Common mistake: Skipping this dry layout and discovering a poor fabric choice only after basting several pieces.
Product facts
- Seven Sisters by Paper Pieces: Each block uses seven stars made from six-point diamonds and finished with trapezoids. Diamonds are shared between blocks and set with large triangles. This shared-diamond construction means you need consistent fabric choices across the entire quilt to maintain the star pattern.
Seven Sisters by Paper Pieces
