MPP – Machine Paper Piecing…like EPP but not


Small Lucy Boston using Machine Paper Piecing

I know, you are saying what the heck is she talking about???? I had it in my head that there had to be washable paper/interfacing that could be used for paper piecing. Now, I love hand work but I don’t always have the time for it and sometimes you may still want that look.

I found this brand at our quilt show in October and made a sample pretty quickly. For some reason, I never wrote about it.

Superior MonoPoly Thread

That being said, the process is easy and I would do it again. Hugs ‘N Kisses is the brand I used. It can be bought in sheets or there are precut paper pieces available in many sizes. It can be used by hand or machine, but I was so curious, I wanted to use it and wash it, so I opted to try a machine technique. One of my blog friends Roseanne, who blogs at Home Sewn By Us, said I should call it MPP – machine paper piecing – and I took her up on her suggestion.

I used the same project as I posted about earlier this year, Lucy Boston in Island Batiks. I used Superior MonoPoly on the top, and it worked very well. Now, I did feel that the pieces were a little less accurate than the ones I did by hand. Two reasons:
1) I printed on to the paper and cut out my templates – they weren’t so precise,
2) I did find it easier to push the edges in a bit – I would be more careful the next time.

Use stilleto to hold points in place

Using the Fusible Appliqué Paper
1. I found a sheet of templates and printed that on to the Fusible Paper.
2. Cut out the templates
3. Press to the fabric.
4. Trim around the shape with 1/4″ seam allowance
5. Glue Baste to paper or hand baste if you prefer
6. Sew together
A. BY Machine with monofilament thread, with a narrow zig zag or
B. By hand using your favorite appliqué thread
6. Attach to backing
7. Quilt

I washed both pieces and honestly, there is some bulk left in the piece with the paper. Would I use it again? You bet. Why?
1. It is fast.
2. It is pliable
3. It looks very much like EPP (English Paper Piecing).

There are a few other brands out there, I do intend to try them in the fullness of time. I will count up the different ways I can do EPP – but I believe I have 3-4 different kinds of templates: plastic, paper, templates to rotary cut, templates to trace, and now the fusible! For me, it all depends on the look I am going for.

Machine and English Paper Piecing Products*

Sewline Glue Pen
Sewline Glue Pen
Fusible 1″ Hexagon Paper
Fusible 1″ Hexagon Paper
Fusible Appliqué Paper
Fusible Appliqué Paper
Paper Templates for Lucy Boston
Paper Templates for Lucy Boston
Lucy Boston Templates,MPP
Lucy Boston Templates,MPP
Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Cross
Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Cross
Clover Wonder Clips
Clover Wonder Clips
Thread magic
Thread magic
Sewline Glue Pen
Sewline Glue Pen
Fusible 1″ Hexagon Paper
Fusible 1″ Hexagon Paper
Fusible Appliqué Paper
Fusible Appliqué Paper
Paper Templates for Lucy Boston
Paper Templates for Lucy Boston
Lucy Boston Templates,MPP
Lucy Boston Templates,MPP
Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Cross
Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Cross
Clover Wonder Clips
Clover Wonder Clips
Thread magic
Thread magic
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Disclaimer: *Links with asterisk indicate an affiliate link and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your price is not any different, but a small percentage of the sale will go to supporting my blog.

9 Comments

  1. January 20, 2019 / 8:57 AM

    This is a great option, Kathleen. I’ve tried just a bit of EPP, but haven’t gotten fully on board yet. This would be helpful for those who like the look but don’t want to do the hand stitching. Thanks for sharing!

    • January 22, 2019 / 11:19 AM

      You will one day; it always seems to get you one way or another. I do like have alternative ways of doing these things – each way has its purpose.

  2. January 20, 2019 / 10:22 AM

    I like that you experimented with this and I would love to read about how the other brands compare when you try them out.

    • January 20, 2019 / 9:40 PM

      Me too!! We’ll let you do all the work and experimenting. ~smile~ Roseanne

    • January 22, 2019 / 11:18 AM

      It was fun to do and I, too, look forward to testing some of the others

  3. January 20, 2019 / 9:39 PM

    Hmmm, very interesting Kathleen! When you say they were less accurate because you printed them and cut them out – where is the downfall? Printing wasn’t correct? You didn’t carefully cut? Something else? Because that seems like it would be VERY accurate to me. Better than tracing by hand, anyway. I have some die cut thick-ish plastic templates for EPP. I didn’t know it was called EPP at the time (and maybe it wasn’t) but made a bunch of hexies, anyway. Then you could pull out the template, or leave it in until you joined them together, depending on how many of the templates you had. I never did anything with those hexies because that was the problem! I didn’t want another step to attach them to a background, so I have a hexie graveyard somewhere. Your MPP (you trendsetter, you!) sounds more up my alley – quicker, more accurate but a little bit fussy, too. I love that you love this technique and are enjoying it. And I’m glad you finally shared the news with us. ~smile~ Roseanne

  4. January 22, 2019 / 11:16 AM

    I think the imprecise parts were all my fault – being in a hurry, forgetting kindergarten skills for cutting pieces next to one another, learning to use anew product. You will see more, I am sure.

  5. thedarlingdogwood
    January 22, 2019 / 7:12 PM

    I love this, Kathleen! I do enjoy EPP from time to time, but sometimes it’s nice to have an alternative. I think I will be trying this!!!

    • kathleenquilts
      January 22, 2019 / 8:28 PM

      I love to have different ways of doing things in my tool box!

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