All Points Patchwork

Starred review from June 15, 2015

English paper piecing (EPP) is a hand piecing technique in which fabric is basted to a geometric template (often made of cardstock) and then hand-sewn. Gilleland (coauthor, Quilting Happiness) became interested in this technique as a relaxing way to achieve precise, complex-looking patchwork--the templates keep the fabric shapes even and tidy. Her passion for EPP blossomed into this comprehensive guide, which provides in-depth coverage of everything from choosing templates to fussy-cutting to basting and stitching the pieces. Hexagons are the typical EPP shape, but Gilleland goes beyond the hexie, exploring straight-sided shapes such as pentagons and diamonds, as well as curved shapes such as clamshells and apple cores. Each aspect of EPP is covered in extraordinary detail, with plenty of hints, tips, design ideas, and project inspiration. This work is predominantly informational rather than project-based, but Gilleland's guidance will allow quilters to create their own EPP masterpiece. VERDICT An essential reference for quilters interested in EPP.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.