Apple Core English Paper Piecing 4 Inch Template

This classic appliqué shape also known as 

“axe head” uses a cut out shape for English Paper Piecing. 

Very accurate patches can be prepared using 

a light weight cardstock form with fabric 

seam allowances folded around edges. 

Prepared patches are appliqued together along 

curved edges where inward and outward curves 

“interlock” in rows. 

Remove and re-used card stock forms when 

no longer needed to hold patch shape. 

Here is a sample mini quilt with yo-yo's

(online search - no attribution available

with label too small to read):

For a thorough treatment of the technique beyond

the basic overview of assembly steps provided herein,

visit this SITE.

TECHNIQUE OVERVIEW:

1. Cut and prepare the shapes:

A patch cutting template (includes .3" seam allows.)

B apple core stitching "form" with needle holes across upper

and lower curve edges; pin hole pair upper & lower

C traced (using A above) and cut fabric patches

D sample prepared finished size patch with

inward side curved edges clipped and basted

2. Prepare an apple core unit to baste by laying

fabric cut patch face down then swiping underside

of card stock template underside with temp

fabric glue stick. Position template shape in

center of fabric patch with equal offset seam allow.

all around.

3. If needed (or in place of temp fabric glue stick),

attach card stock template in place with straight pins.

4. Load a single stand length of basting thread into 

comfortable size hand needle; knot end.

5. Fold seam allowance snugly over paper edge,

then insert needle from backside through seam

allowance, through first card needle hole and

through face side of patch, then . . .

. . . in the same motion, insert needle through layers

to come UP to backside. Adjust the seam allowance

with each needle insertion (or half stitch) to push extra

length in to form slight ripples that accommodate the extra

seam allowance length to fit behind the shape. 

Make sure fabric remains tight at card stock edge.

6. Continue across the first curve edge in the same

down-up baste stitch manner until final stitch 

is complete. Tie off thread by repeating final stitch.

7. Turn the patch and repeat the basting across

the opposite outward curve edge.

(Side edge inward curves are NOT basted.)

8. To assist with precise positioning of prepared

patches into the rows assembly, fold the fabric

seam allowance under only near corners, then . . .

. . . use a temporary fabric marker to mark

the exact corner TIP with a dot.

Repeat for all four corners of each patch.

9. Continue to prepare a set of patches.

10. Arrange patch rows in selected order, noting that

the alternating patches are rotated 90 degrees so that

outward basted curve edge overlaps inward

un-basted curve seam allowance.

11. Move the first seam into position by overlapping

the basted edge of top patch over seam allowance,

matching dots of corresponding corners precisely.

Use fingertip "feel" to check that the fabric/card edges

of top and bottom layers do not overlap. Hold in place . . .

. . . and straight pin with 2-3 pins to secure in place,

-OR- use temp fabric basting glue to apply glue dots

slightly under the overlapping edge. Hold in place

until secure.

12. With thread matching top patch if possible,

tie on invisibly at one end, then complete

the applique stitches across the patch . . .

. . . and tie off invisibly at the opposite end.

Here is the completed first seam.

For a larger project, repeat this seam

as many times as needed to join all patches

for the first row. Then, complete a second row.

13. Prepare the rows to join by overlapping in similar

way as shown in step 11, twisting the rows so that

the appropriate fold edge patch lays on top and

the un-folded patch seam allowance lays on bottom.

Secure in place using your chosen method, then

stitch the applique seam across. It will be necessary

to adjust the direction of the applique stitches

at each new segment of the seam.

14. Continue to prepare, assemble rows, then

position and secure rows to main assembly.

When no longer needed, paper shapes can be

removed (take out basting stitching as necessary)

and reused for more patches.

NOTE that if the center panel of apple core shapes

will be attached to a foundation panel or borders,

leave the edge card stock shapes in place until

after the attachment. In this instance, the inward

curved fabric edges that fall along panel edge will need

to be clipped at 1/4 - 5/16" intervals to allow

fabric to be folded back at card edge, glue-basted

or needle & thread basted into shape.

Here is the sample four-patch apple core "panel"

with seams stitched and edges folded back.

Card Hearts Corner Pop A6

 

Strategically fold the perforated card base to push 
the top left corner down and inward, so that when 

the card is opened by recipient, the triangle pointing inside 

“springs” up to display another scalloped heart accent. 

Print & Cut hearts on front (“Happy Valentine’s Day” 

and inside (“From My Heart to Yours”) add a custom touch. 

Blank heart panels provide alternative to hold 

your own stamps or messages, etc, to convert 

the Valentine’s Day card into a friendship, birthday, 

Mother’s Day or other occasion card. 

Add mix and match coordinated print 

offset panels on front and inside. 

Card measures approx. 4.63” tall x 6.25” wide 

when top-fold closed. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A card base with fold perforation lines

B front panel offset overlay

C front doily heart assembly including print & cut heart

and contrast heart

D front pair of heart and scallop base accents

E interior heart assembly with print & cut heart

with doily heart base and contrast heart

F interior main panel offset accent and corner

G sentiment panel

H interior upper panel offset accents

2. Prepare and assemble the heart accents by

centering and layering, attaching in place so that . . .

. . . they look like this. Front hearts ensemble

on left, interior heart assembly on right.

3. Prepare the card base by bending back along

the horizontal centerline, then . . .

. . . bend back on each of the diagonal lines

on front and back halves of card base. Next . . .

. . . redirect the center fold to be a "valley" fold as

it is pushed downward and inward as the diagonal 

folds take their final positions. Finally . . .

. . . bring the diagonal folds together and press along

all the folds to crease firmly.

NOTE: if the card base card stock paper is NOT

solid core, it may be advisable to color with distress

ink to cover the white core at perforations.

4. Position and attach the front panel accent overlay

over the front base within the fold lines with narrow

offset margin all around.

5. On the card inside, position and attach the main

and corner accent panels in the same manner with

narrow offset margin all around.

6. Repeat the process of step 5 for the upper interior

spaces with corresponding accent overlays.

7. Position and attach the oval sentiment panel

on the interior main accent panel.

8. Position the pair of hearts along the diagonal fold

of closed card so that they are evenly spaced,

making sure that they do not extend beyond

the upper fold edge . . .

. . . as shown by this plexiglass straight edge, 

as well as . . .

. . . the left edge. Once best positioning is achieved,

glue in place where heart lower portion overlaps.

9. Position the larger accent heart centered over

the edge and the pair of hearts, and glue in place

here it overlaps other shapes or card base.

10. On the card inside, position the heart assembly

over the fold-in corner panel, with point above

the diagonal fold, and left edge within the card edge.

Make sure that the pop-up corner will close when

heart is in place. After best positioning is achieved, 

glue lower portion only in place where it overlaps 

the fold-in corner.

Here is the completed card front . . .

. . . and as it un-folds.

Corners Fold With Heart Verse 5x7 Card

 

Simple yet intriguing card for friendship, 

thinking of you, get well, Valentine’s Day or birthday 

features corners that strategically fold back to reveal 

“background” where a thoughtful verse appears. 

Choose a delightful two-sided print 

(or cut the extra front panel to use two coordinates 

instead), assemble on the solid color card base, 

then add accent layered heart over the fold corner.

A print & cut verse panel can be used to send 

sentiment “you are on my mind today so I thought 

I’d send a heart your way”, as well as the doily print 

to use as accent heart base shape. 

If you prefer not to use print & cut technique, 

stamp or hand pen your own verse on 

the revealed wedge area, and cut 

the scalloped heart instead.  

Card measures approx. 5x7 fully assembled and folded.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A 5x7 side fold card base

B front accent panel with fold back corners

C optional front panel overlay for

one-sided front panel (B)

D print & cut front panel underlay with

verse

E & F heart accent with print & cut doily base

2. Prepare the front panel with fold-back corners

by bending along the two diagonal perforation lines.

3. For the sample card which has one-sided print only,

the front accent overlay is positioned and attach along

the left, top & bottom edges, with diagonal edges tucked

into the corner folds, and attached in place.

4. Position the front panel assembly over the print & cut

verse underlay panel, with corresponding straight

edges aligned as much as possible, and attached.

5. Position and attach the heart accent over the print

& cut doily base.

6. Position the heart assembly over the front angle

"point" where fold-back corners converse, angle

as desired, and make sure that the left edges do not

extend beyond front panel left edge, and attach.

7. Position and attach front panel assembly over

folded front portion of card base, with narrow offset

margin all around.

Here is the completed card.

Tote Mini Two Ghirard Choc Squares

Create this small-scale carrier to hold your gift of a pair 

of Ghirardelli wrapped chocolate squares 

in snug pockets on front and back,

where tiny heart add-ons can set the mood. 

(May also fit other wrapped candies such as 

peppermint patties, etc.) 

Separate shapes allow for fun and efficient 

paper pattern combinations. 

Optional front triangle wrap-on overlay 

presents the illusion of an envelope front. 

Add ribbon or other embellishments as desired. 

Let the kids have fun mixing and matching shapes 

then assisting with the quick assembly for 

Valentine gifting. 

Suitable as dining place card or table treats. 

Tote measures approx. 3” wide x 3.5” tall x 

.625” deep when assembled. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A center fold-in-half divider

B pockets panel for front & back

C optional top-flange front overlay (2)

D heart accent (2)

Also shown: sample Ghirardelli chocolate square

that fits in the pockets

2. Fold back the center support at the cross perforation,

apply adhesive to backside of one of the panels, then

press together, taking care to accurately align all cut edges.

Press under a heavy flat weight until glue is dry.

3. Prepare the double pockets panel by bending

back on all perforation lines for panels, base panel,

side flanges and tabs.

4. If you choose to use the front "faux envelope"

overlays, first bend the top tab back on perf line.

Then apply adhesive to backside of panel and tab.

5. Slip the top tab over the lowest center portion of

each front panel angle, adjust to be centered with

bottom straight edge more or less aligned with

pocket front lower edge, then press to glue in place.

6. Position and attach the heart accents, if desired.

Press the assembly under heavy flat object until

glue is dry.

7. Prepare to form the double pockets by applying

dabs of glue to the two tabs on each small tab extending

at the bottom of each side pocket boxing. 

Bend the side boxing panels back into place and

in the same process bend each end section back

until long side tabs are side by side. Apply pressure

to attach the glued up tabs to the bottom panel.

Repeat for both sides.

8. Flex the pockets as slightly as possible and

apply glue to each of the two long side flanges,

and repeat for the opposite side of assembly.

Then immediately . . .

. . . slide the center support in between the two

flanges and push fully in until it stops at bottom panel.

Adjust so that side boxing/flange edges align with

center support as precisely as possible. Apply pressure

to secure in place, then move to complete the second

side. NOTE if may be helpful to insert something that

is narrower than pocket depth to insert behind the pocket

flange seam to assist with applying pressure from

each pocket until seams are secure.

9. Finish up the treat by inserting a chocolate square

(or equivalent) inside each pocket.

Tie a ribbon bow through hang hole as desired.