English paper piecing (EPP) is a great technique to add to your toolbox if you aren’t already familiar with it. There are very few tools you need, and the slow pace of stitching can be incredibly relaxing and rewarding. The applications for complex piecing open up a whole new world of possibilities! There is a bit of a learning curve with EPP, but after a few blocks, you start to get familiar with the technique, and it becomes much easier. In this class, Tara will cover the basics of hand sewing and how to use color and value to create a dynamic design.
Date
Friday, September 25th, 2026
Time
12:00-2:30 pm ET
Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants the day before class
Cost
$75
Recording
All Hand Sewn Quilting Series sessions will be recorded. A link to each recording will be emailed to all registrants following the live session. Each link is live for three months after the live session.
Class Materials:
- Hand sewing needles (sharps or embroidery size 6-8)
- Thread (50 wt or finer), cotton or polyester
- Thread conditioner
- Pins
- Scissors for fabric and paper
- A washable glue stick (like Elmers)
- 8 1/2″ x 11″ printer-compatible heavy paper or card stock
- You don’t want it to be flimsy, but you also don’t want it as thick as cardboard
- You can also opt to buy a pack of precut 2 1/2″ x 2 3/4″ Isosceles Triangles paper pieces HERE.
- Fabric: Assorted 3″ square fabric scraps in a variety of light, medium and dark colors
- Prints/ solids or a mix of both work well for this block
- Have scraps prepped and on hand for class so that you will have lots of choices to work with!
OPTIONAL, BUT HELPFUL
About the Hand Sewn Quilting Series
Under the guidance of contemporary textile artists, participants of all levels will engage with various quilting techniques. Beginners will gain confidence and a deeper understanding of quilting foundations, while experienced makers will expand their skills and textile knowledge beyond the basics.
Bundle Discount
When four Hand Sewn Quilting classes are added to your cart, a 25% off code will be automatically applied. All classes must be in a single order to qualify for the discount.
Scholarships
We have one scholarship seat available for this workshop. To be considered for a scholarship, please fill out this scholarship application form.
Our Teacher
Tara Faughnan is a professional textile designer and quilter living and working in Oakland, CA. She started to quilt around 2001 or so, using a reprint of the 1931 edition of 101 Patchwork Patterns by Ruby Short McKim as her guide. She had no idea rotary cutters, rulers, or plastic templates existed, and spent many happy weeks tracing around cardboard templates and cutting out pieces with a pair of scissors.
Somewhere along the way, her love of quilting led to school and on to a career in textile design, with clients including Michael Miller Fabrics, Riley Blake and Pottery Barn Kids.
She finds inspiration in forms, shapes, and the place where 2 seams meet. Color interaction is the key inspiration that drives her. It’s that intuitive moment when you put two colors together, and then two more, and two more after that, that she focuses on. The explorations are endless, and she strives to walk the line of discomfort and still make everything work together as a whole.
She draws a lot of inspiration from the simple, bold geometry of antique quilts, the gorgeous, bright colors from textiles around the world, and the freedom and spontaneity found in unconventional and improvisational quilts. When she looks at her current work, she sees all 3 of these aspects represented. She likes to use simple geometry, complex color interaction, and find the line that exists somewhere between harmony and discord.