English Paper Pieced 200mm Hexagon Purse

I have recently discovered English Paper Piecing and it is addictive!! I now have to find ways of incorporating it into projects so that I don't end up with heaps of little bits of paper pieced fabric everywhere :)

Today I'm going to show you how to use paper pieced hexagons to make up a 200mm rectangular framed purse. I have used the 200mm purse pattern from You Sew Girl so this post does not include a pattern or full instructions for sewing up the purse.

Requirements:

• Purse 200mm Frame Pattern by You Sew Girl
• Purse Frame 200mm Silver
• Piping Cord - White #1
• Medium Fusible Interfacing
• Vilene H630 Fusible Wadding
• English Paper Piecing Pre-cut Paper Hexagon 1-1/4"
• Sewline Fabric Glue Pen
• Milliners Needles Size 11
• Superior Bottom Line Thread
• 3 x Fabrics for the hexagons
• Lining fabric

If you have never tried English Paper Piecing I recommend that you watch this brilliant video tutorial by Sue Daley to get you started.  

Step 1: Cut the hexagons as follows:

10 x Pink (Rashida Skin Fuchsia by Alexander Henry)

20 x Grey (Mini Calaveras Black by Alexander Henry)

12 x Blue (Mini Calaveras Turquoise by Alexander Henry

I used the 1-1/4" acrylic template to make fussy cutting the sugar skulls easier.

Step 2: Sew together the hexagons as per the diagram below. You will have to make two of these in total.

Pink = Pink Animal Skin | Grey = Black Skulls | Blue = Blue Skulls

Step 3: Once you have joined all of the hexagons for each side you can remove the papers and give the fabric a press. 

Step 4: Fuse the interfacing and then the wadding to the back of each of the pieced fabrics.

Step 5: Once the interfacing and wadding has been fused, allow it to cool for a few minutes and then cut out the purse front and back.

Step 6: Cut out the purse lining from the lining fabric.

Step 7: Sew up the purse as per the purse pattern instructions.

Step 8: Flaunt your fancy new purse to all of your friends :)

- Ky