estimated reading time: 16 min

English Paper Piecing Tutorial: Sewing a Mug Rug

01.12.2023 by Kati

English Paper Piecing Anleitung: Mug Rug nähen

English Paper Piecing is a brilliant patchwork technique for fabric scraps & more. In this basic tutorial on sewing a mug rug with EPP, you'll find a free pattern as well as tips on how to make EPP work perfectly for beginners.

The most important things at a glance

English Paper Piecing is a patchwork method that uses paper templates
The cutting templates help you achieve a perfect sewing result
You can download and print the free EPP templates here yourself (this saves you money and lets you get started right away)
And of course, we provide everything you need to know about the materials used, where to get them, and how to use them
In this basic tutorial, we will sew a mug rug, which is a small mat for your cup
You can download the free pattern for the EPP mug rug here in the post and start right away
Sewing level: easy
Sewing time: 1 afternoon

YouTube Sewing Tutorial: Sewing a Mug Rug with English Paper Piecing

What is English Paper Piecing?

English Paper Piecing, also known as EPP or "Lieseln" (in German), is a patchwork method where pieces of fabric are first stabilized by hand using paper templates and then sewn together. Afterwards, the sewn-together patchwork elements are used for a wide variety of sewing projects.

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Sewing with paper templates is perfect for patchwork beginners because the technique ensures beautiful sewing results after just a short time and with very little practice.

With "Lieseln," you can also do handwork outside the sewing room and spend time with family or friends at the same time.

Why is English Paper Piecing so popular?

With English Paper Piecing, you have quick sewing successes,
The technique is incredibly versatile,
You can sew on the go...
English Paper Piecing brings you into a state of peace and meditation, it makes time stand still
The sewing tools take up very little space
You can take your "Liesel" accessories anywhere
Because of the slowness of handwork, you can decelerate
You can use even the tiniest cotton fabric scraps meaningfully
With "Lieseln," you create unique sewing projects
You can reflect on the moment and enjoy handwork in its most elementary form

Why is EPP also called "Lieseln"?

I asked myself that for a long time too. Behind "Lieseln" is actually a real person. Liesel Niesner, born in 1936 in my hometown of Nienburg/Weser, was self-taught and the eponymous creator of "Lieseln." Back in the 70s, her perfection of English Paper Piecing sparked a hand-sewing boom. She continued to develop the method with her daughter Hilde Klatt and wrote 2 books, which unfortunately are only available secondhand. Sometimes you can still find the lovely books by Liesel Niesner and Hilde Klatt on Amazon^*.

What do you need for English Paper Piecing?

The accessory list is really short. You still need a few important materials to get started, though. Here is your shopping list:

Paper for paper templates (we'll print those ourselves)
Glue stick^* (a "normal" water-soluble glue stick works too)
Woven fabric scraps^*
Needle^*
Sewing thread^* (preferably cotton)
Sewing wax^*
Fabric shears & embroidery scissors^*

Which paper for English Paper Piecing?

The paper is a matter of personal preference; it shouldn't be too stiff, but it also shouldn't be too easy to crease. When I cut my own templates, I prefer to use 250 g drawing paper. It's flexible but still maintains its shape. Acrylic templates or a quilt ruler with a cutting mat and rotary cutter are suitable for cutting them out.

My favorite papers for EPP are these:

Drawing paper^*
Grass paper^*

You can also print on both types of paper in your printer. Then you don't have to draw your templates by hand.

You can also come up with your own shapes and patterns and cut them out. We have provided these pattern templates for you to download so you can get started right away.
Pre-cut paper templates are also available in stores, by the way.

Can you also do EPP with water-soluble stabilizer?

With EPP, the fabrics are first glued over the paper template. After sewing them together, the seam allowances are then carefully folded back and the paper templates are removed. However, there is also the possibility of using water-soluble, iron-on stabilizer^*.

The stabilizer has a shiny surface that melts into the fabric.

After the first wash, the stabilizer layer disappears and only a very light stabilization remains.

When sewing, it's therefore not such a big deal if you accidentally stitch through the stabilizer and sew it in place.

This special stabilizer is cut into the required shape and ironed onto the wrong side of the fabric.

Then the fabric is cut with a seam allowance around the template.

Then you can get to work with your glue stick...

....and fix the seam allowances onto the adhesive layer.

Although the iron-on, water-soluble stabilizers for EPP are a bit more expensive, they are really fun to use, especially in the beginning, because of their easy handling!

Which fabrics are best suited for English Paper Piecing?

For English Paper Piecing or "Lieseln," classic patchwork cotton fabrics, old clothing items made of cotton, or very thin cotton fabrics like the silk-like Tana Lawn cotton fabric from Liberty London are suitable for beginners.

Furthermore, thinner linen or real silk can also be used.

Thanks to the precise processing, thin fabrics that would easily warp on a sewing machine can be sewn together well and accurately.

Here are our fabric recommendations:

Liberty fabrics^*
Cotton fabrics^*

Linen fabrics^*

Should I prewash the fabrics for EPP?

Opinions are divided. I don't prewash new fabrics for quilting; instead, I iron them at a very high temperature, which is completely sufficient for classic cotton fabrics. But of course, you can also use prewashed and ironed fabrics.

Should I stiffen the fabrics before sewing?

For very soft fabrics that are difficult to shape, it can be a good idea to stabilize them beforehand with spray starch^*. This makes the fabric edges a bit crisper. And if you use paper templates for removing, you can more easily reshape the seam allowances afterward.

Can beginners also learn English Paper Piecing?

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English Paper Piecing is a technique that uses very simple means to achieve absolutely perfect sewing results.

This is not only exciting for beginners.

Without much prior sewing experience, you can sew paper templates that have been covered with fabric together right sides together using a very simple over-the-needle stitch.

Where can I find free English Paper Piecing templates?

So that you can start the Liesel adventure right away, you can find the EPP templates for free in this post. And it is quite possible that one or two more free EPP cutting templates will join them. ;)

How much seam allowance for English Paper Piecing?

This is left up to you, or sometimes specified by acrylic templates. Since most templates and instructions work in inches, I also prefer a 3/8-inch seam allowance. But you can also use 1 cm. In principle, the seam allowance is relatively unimportant, as the fabric is glued around the paper; theoretically, you could also just cut the fabrics roughly.

Just remember to add enough seam allowance to properly glue the fabric to the template.

What kind of thread is suitable for English Paper Piecing? Do I need sewing wax?

For Liesel or English Paper Piecing, it is best to use a special 100% mercerized cotton thread, ideally pre-waxed so as not to damage the fabric while sewing. The waxed surface ensures good slipperiness and prevents puckering when working by hand,

Good waxed threads in my experience are:

But it is also possible to use regular cotton thread. You can make it more slippery with sewing wax^* by pulling it through the wax twice. The following cotton threads are suitable for EPP:

By the way, Sabine is now also completely thrilled with EPP. However, she prefers sewing with unwaxed thread. So you should simply try out what works best for you personally.

Which needles do I need for English Paper Piecing?

For needles, I prefer to use size 8, a short needle with an eye that is not too small. For example, the Clover gold eye Quliting Needles between Nr. 8^*, which do not bend as easily and the thread can be threaded easily.

Of course, there are many different needles that are suitable for English Paper Piecing or Liesel. Piecemaker produces incredibly good needles. The Japanese needle specialist Tulip also has super sharp needles in this size (Quilting needles between size 8-12^*.

Some EPPers, on the other hand, prefer appliqué needles. In my opinion, these bend very quickly because they are too long.

Ultimately, you have to find the right needle for yourself that you feel comfortable with.

How does English Paper Piecing work?

English Paper Piecing, or Liesel, is a hand sewing technique in which fabric is glued around paper templates and then connected together with an over-the-needle stitch. The paper is removed afterward and the accurately sewn piece is finished.

What projects is EPP suitable for?

English Paper Piecing is ideal for many sewing ideas that you want to create from small fabric scraps. Perfect projects are, for example, coasters, sets, bags, blankets, basically all projects for which you need beautiful fabric pieces.

Also take a look at this tutorial: Sewing coasters

What should my workspace look like when I want to do English Paper Piecing?

The good thing about English Paper Piecing is that you need very little space. A table surface with a small cutting mat would be nice so you can work neatly. Make sure you light your workspace properly. Daylight or a daylight lamp is ideal.

Also have a small bowl ready for thread scraps so that the mini threads are not running around the house afterward. ;)

Conclusion: EPP is really fun!

So, how did you like the tutorial? Are you now excited to try English Paper Piecing yourself? I can really recommend it. It is a lot of fun and wonderfully creative. And the possibilities it offers are endless.

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Sew a mug rug with English paper piecing

Step

You can choose 4-9 different fabrics for the block.
Step
03

Step
To sew the mug rug you need
the supplies for the EPP (as described above)
a piece of Vlieseline H630 (the size of the future mug rug
a piece of cotton fabric (the same size
1 fabric strip, 4 cm wide and 75 cm long
Step

Print the EPP mug rug template on slightly heavier paper or drawing card, ideally 250g.
It is important to check the size using the test square.
Cut 3 diamonds and 6 half hexagons out.
Step

Place your templates on the fabric and fix them with a dab of glue from a completely ordinary water-soluble glue stick.
Now cut out with a seam allowance of approx. 1 cm or 3/8 inch.
Depending on your preference, you can use scissors or a rotary cutter with a quilting ruler.
Step

For the diamonds and the trapezoid (half hexagon), glue the opposite sides down onto the paper with the glue stick.
There are special slim glue sticks, but you can also use a standard water-soluble glue stick.
Step

Then do the same with the other two sides.
Step

Repeat these steps until you have covered 3 diamonds and 6 trapezoids, in this case with 3 different fabrics.
Step

To help you keep track, I have labelled the finished block with numbers here.
Step

Now the sewing begins: first place diamonds 1 and 2 right sides together, edges aligned.
As I sew with my left hand, if you are right-handed it may be easier for you to start sewing in mirror image.
So you would place diamond 3 on diamond 1. The order makes no difference to the result here.
Step

Tie a knot at the end of your thread and sew the first stitch at the tip of the diamond.
Step

Now sew the two fabric pieces together with a whipstitch.
Stitch very close to the folded edges of the two pieces.
Try to catch as little of the paper template as possible.
Step

Tie a knot when you reach the end.
Now you can place diamond 3 against 2 (left-handed) or diamond 2 against 3 (right-handed).
Step

Join the 2 pieces again with a whipstitch, this time from the centre to the tip of the diamond.
Step

At the end of each section of seam I like to lock it with a knot by stitching into the not yet tightened stitch and tying one or two knots. Securing the thread at the end works the same way.
Otherwise, just take a look at my video.
Step

Next, join trapezoid no. 4 to diamond 2 (left-handed) or alternatively trapezoid no. 9 to diamond 3 (right-handed).
Step

Fold the two templates together and join them with small stitches.
Step

Now join trapezoid no. 5 to diamond 2 (left-handed) or trapezoid no. 8 to diamond 3 (right-handed) along the short side.
Step

Now comes the moment when you have sewn around all sides of a diamond. You can now remove the template from diamond 2 (left-handed) or from diamond 3 (right-handed).
If you find it easier, you can also leave the templates in until
Step

Now join trapezoid no. 6 to diamond 1 (left-handed) or trapezoid no. 7 to diamond 1 (right-handed) along the short side.
Step

Next, sew trapezoid no. 7 to diamond 1 (left-handed) or trapezoid no. 6 to diamond 1 (right-handed).
Step

Then join diamond 1 to diamond 3 (left-handed) or diamond 1 to diamond 2 (right-handed) along the short side.
Step

To do this, fold your work together...
Step

...and sew from the tip to the centre.
Step

Now you can remove the template from diamond 1 (left-handed) or diamond 3 (right-handed).
Step

Now sew trapezoid no. 8 to diamond 3 (left-handed) or trapezoid no. 5 to diamond 2 (right-handed).
Step

Again along the short side.
Step

The last trapezoid to be sewn on is number 9 (left-handed) or number 4 (right-handed).
Step

Remove template 3 (left-handed) or template 2 (right-handed).
Step

Now you can close all the side seams of the trapezoids.
Step

Ideally from the centre outwards.
Step

Once you have closed all the side seams, the block is finished. If you want to make it into a quilt or a set, leave the outer templates in the piece for now.
Step

If you want to make a mug rug or a pot holder, remove all templates from your EPP project now.
Press the seam allowances, opening up the seam allowances of the trapezoids as you go,
Step

Iron your fabric piece onto Vlieseline H630 for the mug rug.
For a pot holder, attach it with spray adhesive to Thermolam 272, as shown here.
Step

Cut a matching piece of backing fabric and secure it with spray adhesive or safety pins...
Step

...choose a suitable thread for hand quilting, here it is Aurilfil 12 Wt.
Step

Now you can quilt your fabric sandwich together with a contrasting thread however you like. Of course, you can also do this with the sewing machine.
Step

To bind your mug rug, cut a fabric strip 4 cm wide and 75 cm long. If you need to piece it, place the strip ends at right angles on top of each other and sew them together with a stitch length of 2.5.
In this case you do not need to make bias binding, but you can use it if you have some to hand.
Step

If you had to join two strips, press the seam allowance open.
Step

Cut one end of the strip at a 60 ° angle and press the edge over by 1 cm.
Step

Now fold the strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press.
Step

Unfold the strip again and pin it flush to the right side of the fabric of your mug rug.
Step

Fold the strip towards the corner and mark the line of the corner on the strip with tailor's chalk.
Step

Now sew with a 1 cm seam allowance exactly up to the marked line and backstitch.
Step

This is what it looks like now.
Fold the fabric over at the point.
The diagonal fold now lies between the fabric layers.
Step

Lay the strip in the sewing direction flush along the next side of the mug rug.
Mark the line of the point again.
Step

Start exactly on the line, backstitch and sew the strip on with a 1 cm seam allowance.
Sew all the way around the mug rug.
Step

This is how the corners should look now.
Step

Then fold the strip around the fabric edge.
Step

Fold the edge of the strip under twice and secure it with pins or clips.
The folded edge of the strip should just cover the first seam.

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.