In this two session workshop, Catherine-Marie brings her freehand approach and colour sensibility to English paper piecing, offering both beginners and more experienced stitchers a fresh way into this age-old patchwork technique. Expect careful attention to fabric choice, an intuitive approach to pattern- making, and a strong emphasis on developing your own voice.
Session I: Freehand English Paper Piecing Foundations
The first part of the workshop focuses on the basic technique of freehand English paper piecing. Participants will learn how to construct a simple, hand-drawn grid and a small circle composition.
Through these two projects, we will cover the following:
- Drawing a pattern and identifying the pieces
- Choosing fabric, basting it onto card, and stitching the pieces together
- Working with fabrics of different weights
- Sewing sharp angles and curves
- Finishing: adding a border and appliquéing the piece onto a background fabric
These exercises provide the technical foundation needed to work confidently beyond traditional English paper piecing patterns.
Session II: Advanced Freehand English Paper Piecing
The second part of the workshop shifts from technique to artistic development. We will begin by looking at a selection of contemporary artworks made using English paper piecing and discuss the different ways artists have approached the medium. From there, we will explore methods for generating ideas and translating inspiration into original compositions.
Participants will develop their own designs while learning practical strategies for:
- Planning colour relationships and fabric selection
- Combining fabrics of different weights and textures
- Using stripes, checks, and ginghams to add movement
- Scaling a small study into a larger artwork
Throughout the workshop, emphasis will be placed on experimentation, material sensitivity, and developing an individual approach to freehand English paper piecing. Participants will leave with the skills and confidence to continue exploring the technique and creating their own artworks.
Dates
Fridays, January 8th and 22nd, 2027
Time
12:00-2:30 pm ET
Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants the day before class
Cost
$75 per session
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:
- Light card paper (160 gsm paper is ideal)
- Pencil, rubber, ruler
- Paper and fabric scissors
- A fabric glue pen (Sewline is good) or a washable glue stick
- A selection of fabrics remnants: lots of solids, a few stripes and checks, perhaps a few prints, and
- a variety of weights across the selection
- Matching threads
- One contrasting thread for basting
- Needles for stitching: Milliner’s Straws no 9 (either Bohin or Tulip), or Appliqué/Sharps no 10 (Clover’s “specially polished with black plating”)
- Needle for basting: any sharp but sturdy needle (I like to use embroidery needles)
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
Catherine-Marie Longtin is a quilt-maker, textile artist and editor based in Camberwell, South East London, where she has had a studio since 2016. Originally from Montreal, she came to quilting after a short academic career, finding in patchwork and textile work the creative outlet she had been looking for. She has since developed a practice that spans commission quilts, fine art pieces, and teaching, with a particular focus on colour and design.
Her approach to English paper piecing is anything but conventional. Rather than working from printed templates, Catherine-Marie draws her own patterns freehand, allowing shapes to evolve organically and compositions to develop intuitively. The result is work that sits somewhere between traditional needlework and abstract art — precise in its making, but open in its design process. Colour is at the heart of everything she makes. Her compositions draw on a wide range of references — from the optical colour theories of Josef Albers and the pointillist paintings of Georges Seurat to Old Master portraiture and the bold graphic tradition of Amish quilts. She is the author of Log Cabin Quilt Blocks: 100 Colour and Pattern Variations (Batsford).