How to Sew Paper Free English Paper Piecing (and my Quilters Paradise QP26 Summit Watch List)

If you want to sew paper-free English paper piecing, you are in the right place.

Paper-free EPP gives you the look of traditional EPP, but without the paper prep, the basting admin, or the pile of little paper bits at the end. You mark your lines, cut your shapes, and hand stitch with accuracy, all while keeping it portable.

I am teaching Paper Free EPP at the Quilters Paradise Summit (QP26), and I’m also sharing a brand new pattern: my Apple pillow paper-free EPP cushion made from scrappy reds and sweet little hand-stitched hexies.

CLICK: Register for free access to QP26 Summit by 9 March 2026 

What is paper-free English paper piecing?

Traditional English paper piecing uses paper templates to hold fabric shapes while you stitch them together. Paper-free English paper piecing keeps the same hand-stitched construction while skipping the papers. Instead, you mark the seam lines (often by stamping or tracing with an acrylic emplate), then stitch along those lines.

I love this approach because it keeps the joy in the stitching and dials down the prep. It’s also brilliant for anyone who loves hand piecing but hates the paper stage.

My QP26 session is literally called “Paper Free EPP!” and I’m teaching it as a beginner-friendly technique (with plenty of tips for confident stitchers too).

Why you might want to sew paper-free English paper piecing

If any of these sound like you, paper-free EPP is worth trying:

• You love hand sewing, but don’t want to baste papers.
• You want accurate Y-seams without bulky templates.
• You want a portable project you can stitch anywhere.
• You want to use scraps and still get a crisp, polished result.

It’s also a very satisfying way to turn “tiny bits” into something that looks intentional!

How to sew paper-free English paper piecing (the simple overview)

Here’s the method I teach and use:

1. Choose your shape and size

Hexagons are the classic starting point. You can absolutely do other shapes too, but hexies are a friendly on-ramp.

2. Mark your fabric

Stamp or trace the cutting line and seam line onto the back of the fabric. This is the part that replaces papers. Once the line is in place, you can sew to it with confidence.

3. Cut your shapes

Cut around the outer line. Keep your seam allowance consistent.

4. Hand stitch along the seam line

I use a simple hand stitch (running stitch) and sew along the marked seam line. Because you’re stitching to a line, accuracy is built in.

5. Press as you go

Pressing makes a massive difference to how flat and crisp your work looks. I use a seam roller to press seams as I finish them.

This is exactly what I’m teaching at QP26, and I’m sharing how I use it for precise joins and tidy results (including Y-seams).

VIP All-Access QP26 Pass: My Apple EPP pillow (a paper-free EPP project)

All VIP participants receive two patterns of mine for free. One is new and I’m currently turning paper-free hexies into an Apple EPP pillow (cushion). Think scrappy reds and a sweet motif that feels both vintage and fresh. If you’ve ever wanted to take EPP beyond “I made a pile of hexies” and into “I finished a thing I can use,” cushions are the perfect finish. The other is an existing pattern.

My Quilters Paradise Summit QP26 watch list (for Craftapalooza stitchers)

QP26 runs March 9-16, with themed days and a big spread of techniques.

Here are the sessions I think my Craftapalooza peeps will genuinely love, because they align with handwork, scraps, playful making, and finishing satisfaction.

Technique & Precision day (this is my day)

This day is stacked with sessions that pair beautifully with paper-free English paper piecing: curves, applique, borders, and more.

My top picks:

• Paper Free EPP (Nic Vaughan)
• Curves with Confidence (Michelle Trimble)
• Landscape Applique the Easy Way (Lisa Ruble)
• Put a Frame on it: Mitred Borders Made Easy (Lisa Lund)

Scraps to Artistry day (scrap lovers, this is your playground)

If you love scrap quilts, fabric curation, and turning leftovers into something beautiful, this day is a must.

My top picks:

• Rescue, Restore, Repurpose (Cheri Termini)
• Scrap Overload: Four Ways to Make Gorgeous Quilts (Lori Dickman)
• Scrappy Fabric Pulls Made Easy (Monika Henry)
• Build a Scrap Quilt Brick by Brick (Diane Harris)

Creative Design & Play day (for the “I need fun” stitchers)

This day is about loosening up, trying something new, and letting play lead the way.

My top picks:

• Improv Cushion: Having Fun With Scraps (Deb Canham)
• Introduction to Manx Quilting (Amy Smart) - A Manx quilt is on my patchwork bucketlist
• Raw Edge Applique by Machine (Lydia Sorenson)

CLICK: Register for free access to QP26 Summit by 9 March 2026 

How to watch QP26 without overwhelm

Pick a “track” based on your interests:

Track A: Hand sewing and slow stitching.

• Paper Free EPP
• Introduction to Manx Quilting
• Big stitch binding (on Confident Foundations day)

Track B: Scrappy joy and stash relief

• Scrappy Fabric Pulls Made Easy
• Scrap Overload
• Rescue, Restore, Repurpose

Track C: Finish something

• Improv Cushion
• Mitred Borders Made Easy
• Big stitch binding

And my favourite advice: watch one session, then do one tiny action. Cut a few shapes. Stitch one seam. Pull a scrap palette. Tiny progress is still progress.

CLICK: Register for free access to QP26 Summit by 9 March 2026 

Frequently Asked Questions

Click each question below for the expanded answer.

What is paper-free English paper piecing (paper-free EPP)?

Paper-free English paper piecing is hand piecing where you skip the paper templates. Instead, you mark or stamp your cutting and seam lines directly onto fabric, then stitch along those lines for accuracy.

Is paper-free EPP accurate enough for neat hexagons?

Yes. Accuracy comes from stitching to a marked seam line (rather than relying on the edge of a paper template). If you mark consistently and stitch on the line, you can get crisp joins and tidy points. (That is the whole point of my QP26 session: accurate hand piecing without papers.)

Do I need special tools for paper-free English paper piecing?

No special tools are required. The basics are: a way to mark your lines (a stamp or template + marking tool), scissors/rotary cutter, a needle, and thread. If you already hand-sew patchwork, you likely own everything you need. My QP26 topic is set as beginner-friendly.

What stitch do you use for paper-free EPP?

A simple running stitch is common for hand piecing and works beautifully for paper-free EPP, too. The key is consistent stitches on the seam line, doing a back stitch everytime you re-load your needle with stitches. (I demonstrate this in my summit video session.)

Can I do Y-seams with paper-free EPP?

Yes. Paper-free EPP is great for Y-seams because you stitch to the line, not into the seam allowance and can pivot cleanly at the seam intersections. 

Which fabrics work best for paper-free EPP?

Most quilting cottons work well. Crisp fabrics can feel easier to work with when you are learning because they hold their shape. If you love Liberty Tana Lawn, it can absolutely work too. Woven fabrics (like Fableism) that have a looser weave or the tendency to fray can be used, handle with care, snip off any excess loose threads as you sew to keep things neat.

I love EPP, but I hate basting. Is paper-free EPP easier?

For many stitchers, yes. You skip the paper prep and basting stage entirely. You trade that step for marking your seam lines instead, which can feel faster and less fiddly.

Where can I learn paper-free English paper piecing step-by-step?

You can watch my Paper Free EPP workshop during the Quilters Paradise Summit (QP26; free ticket required). The summit runs from March 9 to 16, 2026, and my session is on the Technique & Precision day (March 12).

Affiliate disclosure: This is my affiliate link. If you register or purchase via my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.