Enhanced Paper Piecing

Enhanced Paper Piecing is a “stepped-up” version of paper piecing. By combining plain, patterned and textured paper, along with using a few techniques (such as paper layering and paper tole) … the possibilities are endless

Tip: Run a black marker along the cut edges of each paper piece so the pieces blend with the lines of the image when they are glued down. It just takes a few minutes and makes a huge difference with the finished image.

This card uses the adorable image “Teddy Rose Hat” from Bugaboo. Here are all the pieces cut out before getting started. The base image is cut out as well so the completed image may be popped up on the card front. The roses and leaves are colored with markers before assembling.

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Here is the paper-pieced image. Usually pieces are cut out individually and fit together. But for this image, one base layer was cut out from medium brown for the head and one for the body. The lighter shade of brown is layered on top of the base and a third layer (nose and rose on tummy) are adhered on top of the second layer … this is paper layering. It’s such an adorable image just like this!

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Here are the same pieces, but some sponging has been added around the outside edges of each piece. The subtle shading gives a lot more depth to the image.

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This time a second set of paws is added, raised up by adding a touch of glue at the wrists to adhere them flush to the image, but adding a rolled up glue dot (or you can use a pop-dot if it’s not too thick) at the tip of the paws where they meet the feet, to give even more dimension. This is called the paper tole technique. Not much extra work, but it adds a lot more character and dimension to the image.

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Consider adding texture to the image by dry embossing some of the pieces. Here the straw hat has been embossed. It adds more character and dimension and the paper tole technique was used again to add a second layer to the brim of the hat.

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And here’s one final way to “step-up” this paper pieced image. After finishing the paper piecing, layering and paper tole pieces, some sparkle was added by coating the flowers and leaves with glitter glue.

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Here’s the finished card:

So next time you decide to paper piece, think about adding one or more of the techniques above to enhance your image. Or add some other extras … perhaps twine for the strings of a balloon, felt for a scarf, or flower soft for the center of a flower. The possibilities are endless. Have fun!