Yokohama/Toronto Wall Hanging - Fan Block Using the English Paper Piecing.Method

English Paper Piecing is a simple method for joining similar shapes of fabric together by hand. You can see this hand sewing method here. This one uses hexagons, but you can use other shapes too.

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And now for the fan block.

Lay out the fan pieces in the order that you want them.

Next. pick up two of the pieces and sew them together starting at the top and working down. Take small stitches. Try not to catch the paper because it is difficult to needle through. It will also be difficult to remove when you are done. Check to make sure you have the pieces in the correct order.

Continue to sew the pieces together until you have a fan shape.

Now lay the fan out on a piece of backing that has been measured into a 9-inch square. Use a pencil to mark the back and add a 1/4inch seam allowance all the way around.

Place the fan about 3/4 to 1 inch from the top and side of the background, so that it is centred. Pin in place.

You can now hand applique the top of the fan to the background.

When you are finished appliqueing, remove the basting threads and the paper. Let the seam allowance on the fan lay flat with the edge of the block. Pin the fan at the bottom so that it can't shift when you applique the quarter circle. Take the quarter circle and lay it on the fan block so that it overlaps the fan at least 1/4 of an inch. Pin in place and applique down. Try to catch the background fabric so that it will remain 9 inches square. The background fabric will remain in the block behind the fan.

Remove the basting threads and the paper and you are done!