EPP Pin Cushion Kit

Here are the illustrated instructions for my new EPP pincushion kit with Vintage Japanese fabrics (including handwoven tsumugi silk, cotton and hemp), you can buy the kit in my Etsy shop. The kit includes everything you need to complete the project, and custom colourways are available.
Below you will find illustrated instructions which compliment the instructions card included in the kit. If you have never done English Paper Piecing before there are a lot of resources and tutorials available, I recommend Jessie Fincham's blog for a comprehensive grounding. Otherwise dive straight in, following the instructions below!

STEP 1: Have a look through the contents of the kit, and choose which fabrics you want to use. With the perspex template, mark out 9 diamond shapes on the wrong sides of the fabrics by drawing around the outside. You can additionally mark the 4 corners of the dimond using the small holes. For the base of the pin cusion use the paper hexagon to mark out the shape adding a 3/8 inch seam allowance. Cut out all the shapes.

STEP 2: Place a paper template in the centre of the wrong side of each fabric diamond and fold the seam allowance to the back. Baste using your preferred method of glue (this is what I used) or needle and thread.

STEP 3: Now it's time to start sewing the shapes together. Chose three diamonds to form the hexagon for the top of the pin cushion. Sew the shapes together, right sides together, taking care to only catch the fabric and not the paper. Once you have decided on your preferred sewing technique, start by choosing 3 diamonds to form the hexagon for the top of the pin cushion.

Next, join 6 diamonds along the edge to form the sides of the pin cushion as laid out in the picture blow. Make sure the diamonds all point in the same direction, either clockwise or anti-clockwise. Once a diamond is joined to other shapes on all 4 sides, the paper can be removed. This will make it easier to work. Then join up the sides of the six diamonds, holding the right sides together and taking care not catch too much of the paper, just as before.

STEP 4: Now you can join the hexagon shape forming the base of your pin cushion. Leave open a gap of approximately 1 inch. Remove any of the remaining paper shapes and turn right side out. You are now ready to carefully fill your pin cushion with the crushed walnut shells. Be sure to make it as full as possible.

STEP 5: Once completely filled sew up the opening in the fabric. Enjoy using your pin cushion!