Big Ol' Blossom Lap Quilt

We love English paper piecing here at FaveQuilts.com, especially this wonderful Big Ol' Blossom Lap Quilt. Did you know when the technique started, though? The tradition traces back to the late 18th century, when creating quilts needed to be practical yet decorative. Quilts made from paper piecing can contain a lot of history since paper artifacts like letters, newspaper clippings, sheet music, and any other scraps of paper can be preserved in the quilts. 

English paper piecing is also referred to as "foundation piecing." The "English" part of the phrase comes from the popularity in Great Britain. "Paper piecing" comes from exactly what you do in the method of quilting: use pieces of paper to construct the quilt. There are three specific techniques you can use in paper piecing: top pressed, under pressed, and single template piecing. Under pressed paper piecing is the most accurate because you're sewing directly on the foundation with the fabric underneath.