Match the shape
Start with the exact geometry your pattern calls for. A regular hexagon, a 60-degree diamond, a triangle, or a clamshell may look close on the table, but each creates a different seam and layout once the pieces are joined.
Made in North Carolina
English Paper Piecing Templates
Start each hand-pieced shape with a dependable outline. TCR Crafts makes reusable template sets for quilters who want their hexagons, diamonds, triangles, and other pieces to meet with more confidence at the sewing table.
A clear place to begin
Let every fabric piece start from the same shape.
English paper piecing rewards a steady start. When each prepared unit follows the same outline, the edges line up more naturally and the finished design has the calm, deliberate rhythm that makes hand piecing so satisfying. A template does not replace the pattern or the pleasure of choosing fabric. It simply gives every piece a reliable shape before the stitching begins.
That reliability matters whether you are wrapping a small pile of hexagons for a flower, arranging diamonds into a star, or preparing enough pieces for a larger quilt. A repeatable shape lets you spend your attention on color placement, seam matching, and the handwork itself instead of wondering whether one fabric piece is slightly larger than the next.
Choose with the project in mind
Three details worth checking before you begin.
Confirm the measurement
Patterns can describe a shape by side length, point-to-point width, finished size, or another measurement. Read the instructions before ordering so the template and the pattern are speaking the same language.
Plan the repeat
Think about how many units the project needs and whether you expect to use the shape again. A reusable Mylar set can be a practical choice when a favorite shape is likely to return to your sewing table.
A better first sample
Test one unit before you cut the fabric you love.
Make one complete sample as soon as you have chosen a template. Cut fabric with the seam allowance your pattern specifies, center the template, and wrap the fabric around each edge. The sample will show you whether the allowance reaches the corners comfortably, whether the print lands where you want it, and whether the finished unit is the size your design expects.
This is especially useful with directional prints, stripes, florals, and fussy-cut motifs. A clear plan for where the fabric sits inside the shape can turn a simple hexagon or diamond into the visual center of a block. Take a moment to move the template across the fabric before cutting. It is much easier to adjust placement now than after a row of pieces is basted.
Keep the first finished sample beside the pattern as you prepare the rest. It becomes a quick reference for which edge you cut around, how much allowance you used, and how the fabric is oriented. That small bit of organization makes a larger batch feel far less complicated.
Ready to choose?
Shop English paper piecing templates.
$25.99
Mylar 1" Flattened 90° Hexagon 51 Piece Set - Quilting / Sewing Templates
View template →
$41.99
Mylar 1.5" Square & 1.5 Right Triangle 102 Piece Set - Quilting / Sewing Templates
View template →
$24.99
Mylar 1/2" Starpoint -51 Piece Set - Quilting / Sewing Templates
View template →
$32.99
Mylar 2" Sides -Regular Pentagon 51 Piece Set - Quilting / Sewing Templates
View template →
$20.99
Mylar 2" Half Hexagon 51 Piece Set - Quilting / Sewing Templates
View template →
$23.99
Mylar 1" Sides Diamonds 51 Piece Set - Quilting / Sewing Templates
View template →
$39.99
Mylar 1" Square & 90 Degree Hexagon 102 Piece Set - Quilting / Sewing Templates
View template →
$53.99
Mylar 4" Hexagon (Side to Side Measurement) & 4" 60 Degree Diamond 102 Piece Set - Quilting / Sewing Templates
View template →Make the layout your own
Build a small collection around the shapes you actually use.
There is no prize for owning every possible EPP shape. The most useful set is the one that supports the quilt you want to make next. A straightforward hexagon can carry a traditional flower or honeycomb layout. Diamonds can build stars and rosettes. Triangles, squares, pentagons, and clamshells open different possibilities when a pattern asks for a more specific rhythm.
Choose the template after reading the pattern, not before. Look for the finished shape, the method the designer recommends, and the number of units you need. If the instructions call for a particular seam allowance or placement line, treat that as more important than a shape that merely looks similar. The right match makes the handwork feel easier from the first prepared piece onward.
For reusable template sets, Mylar offers a durable option that can return to the drawer after one project and come back out for the next. Handle each shape carefully, keep it flat between uses, and make sure the template stays clean before setting it on light fabrics. A simple envelope or labeled sleeve can keep related shapes together and make it easier to begin again when a project has been resting for a while.
When it is time to choose fabric, press it before cutting and keep the grain and print direction in mind. For a repeating block, photograph the first small layout before separating the pieces. That photo can save a surprising amount of guesswork when you return to the project after a few days. Then prepare the units in manageable groups, rather than cutting every piece at once.
If your pattern calls for a shape outside your current collection, TCR Crafts welcomes custom template questions. For other quilting projects that need a clear cutting guide, you can also browse the full quilting template collection. The best tool is the one that makes the specific shape in front of you easier to repeat with care.
“Great quality template, markings for cutting are easy-to-use. Fast shipping and carefully packaged for mailing.”Karen, Etsy customer
Frequently asked questions
What are English paper piecing templates used for?
English paper piecing templates give each fabric unit a consistent shape while you prepare and join it by hand. The template sits inside the fabric as you baste or glue the seam allowance around it, then comes out once the surrounding seams hold the shape.
What shapes work well for English paper piecing?
Hexagons are a familiar place to begin, but diamonds, triangles, squares, pentagons, clamshells, and stars can all create beautiful repeated designs. Choose the shape your pattern names, then confirm how the pattern measures it before ordering.
Should I buy paper or Mylar templates for EPP?
Both can be useful. Paper templates are often convenient for a single project, while durable Mylar shapes can be helpful when you want a reusable set. The right choice depends on the pattern, the number of pieces you need, and whether you expect to make the shape again.
How much fabric should I leave around an EPP template?
The pattern should specify the seam allowance. Cut fabric large enough to wrap smoothly over every edge without crowding the corners. Make one sample unit first so you can confirm the allowance and placement before cutting a full stack.
Choose the shape that lets the next quilt come together one piece at a time.
Explore American-made English paper piecing templates built for careful prep, patient stitching, and projects worth returning to.
Shop English paper piecing sets