English paper piecing

Star shapes made by paper piecing

English paper piecing is a method of patchwork where fabric is wrapped around fabric shapes made of thin paper cardboard or heavy paper. Once the shapes are wrapped and ready, the sewer will hand sew the shapes together one at a time until the shapes become an intricate design. The paper or cardboard is removed once the shape has been sewn to another shape on all sides. This is an art for those who like to sew by hand.

The practice's name comes from the fact that it originated in England. Once a shape, bloc, rosette, or finished piece has been made, the papers are removed, leaving the fabric as the remaining item.

English Paper Piecing should not be confused with Foundation Paper Piecing, nor should its name be shortened to calling it paper piecing. Calling it paper piecing only confuses the art of English Paper Piecing.

Foundation Paper Piecing uses paper to help create fabric shapes but it uses a sewing machine to sew the fabric shapes together along lines on the paper. Paper is removed after sewing.

References

Name

Course Tutor Date Argumentative Literary Analysis In "At the Crossroads of Empire," Wole Soyinka grapples with the complex and often conflicting experiences of colonialism and its impact on both the colonizers and the colonized. Through its use of language, imagery, and literary techniques, the poem explores the themes of power, identity, and resistance, highlighting how colonialism has shaped and continues to shape the world we live in. One of the central themes of "At the Crossroads of Empire" is the theme of power and how it is exercised and contested. Throughout the poem, the speaker speaks of the colonizers' "golden scepters" and the "thrones" they have built, underscoring the power and authority they wield over the colonized people. However, the poem also suggests that this power is fragile and precarious, as it relies on the suppression and exploitation of the colonized (Nabokov 498). The imagery of the "crossroads," where the colonizers stand "at the junction of empire," suggests that they are at a turning point, a moment of decision where they must choose between continuing on the path of domination or relinquishing their power. This theme of power is further enhanced through the use of rhetorical questions, such as "Who are you?" and "What are you?", which challenge the colonizers to consider how their actions and beliefs have shaped the identities of the colonized and to confront the fact that they are not the only ones with agency and power (Magome 173). Additionally, the use of the word "empire" serves to underscore the grandiose and self-aggrandizing nature of colonialism and how it has been used to justify the exploitation and oppression of other peoples and cultures. Another important theme in "At the Crossroads of Empire" is the theme of identity and how it is shaped by colonialism. The speaker speaks of the "ghosts" of the colonized, suggesting that their identities have been erased. This theme is further explored through the use of rhetorical questions, such as "Who are you?" and "What are you?", which challenge the colonizers to consider how their actions and beliefs have shaped the identities of the colonized and to confront the fact that they are not the only ones with agency and power (Magome 173). The use of the word "ghosts" also serves to highlight how the colonized have been denied agency and reduced to mere shadows of their former selves. This imagery suggests that the colonizers have stripped the colonized of their identity and culture, leaving them with nothing but the ghosts of their former selves. The theme of identity is further enhanced through the use of the word "empire," which suggests how the colonizers have imposed their own cultural and societal norms on the colonized, shaping their identities in the process. In addition to themes of power and identity, "At the Crossroads of Empire" also explores the theme of resistance and how individuals and communities have sought to challenge and resist dominant narratives and power structures (Antonsson 120). The speaker speaks of the "unbroken spirit" of the colonized, suggesting that despite the efforts of the colonizers to suppress and control them, the colonized have retained their sense of self and their will to resist. This theme is further enhanced through the use of the word "unbroken," which suggests that the colonized have remained undaunted in the face of oppression and have continued to resist and fight for their rights and freedoms. The theme of resistance is further enhanced through the use of rhetorical questions, such as "Who are you?" and "What are you?", which challenge the colonizers to consider how their actions and beliefs have shaped the identities of the colonized These questions serve to undermine the authority of the colonizers and to highlight the agency of the colonized. They also challenge the colonizers to confront the fact that they are not the only ones with power and agency and to recognize how their actions have had a profound impact on the lives of the colonized. The theme of resistance is further enhanced through the use of the word "unbroken," which suggests that the colonized have remained undaunted in the face of oppression and have continued to resist and fight for their rights and freedoms. This word choice underscores the resilience and determination of the colonized and suggests that despite the efforts of the colonizers to suppress and control them, they have retained their sense of self and their will to resist. The theme of resistance is also explored through the imagery of the "crossroads," where the colonizers stand "at the junction of empire." This imagery suggests that the colonizers are at a turning point, a moment of decision where they must choose between continuing on the path of domination or relinquishing their power. This theme highlights how the colonized have sought to resist and challenge dominant narratives and power structures, and suggests that there is a possibility for change and a better future. Overall, the theme of resistance in "At the Crossroads of Empire" serves to highlight the agency and resilience of the colonized and to challenge the authority of the colonizers. Through its use of rhetorical questions and powerful imagery, the poem encourages readers to consider how colonialism has shaped and continues to shape the world we live in and to resist dominant narratives and power structures (Rodgers 64). Finally, the theme of resistance is explored through the use of rhetorical questions and the imagery of the "crossroads," which challenge the colonizers to consider the ways in which their actions and beliefs have shaped the identities of the colonized and to confront the fact that they are not the only ones with agency and power. This theme also highlights the resilience and determination of the colonized, who have continued to resist and fight for their rights and freedoms despite the efforts of the colonizers to suppress and control them. Overall, "At the Crossroads of Empire" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that encourages readers to consider the ways in which colonialism has shaped and continues to shape the world we live in and to resist dominant narratives and power structures. There are several lessons that can be learned from "At the Crossroads of Empire" by Wole Soyinka. First and foremost, the poem highlights the destructive and oppressive nature of colonialism and the ways in which it has impacted the lives of both the colonizers and the colonized. It suggests that colonialism relies on the suppression and exploitation of the colonized in order to maintain its power and authority, and that it has had a profound impact on the identities and cultures of the colonized (Rodgers 64). Secondly, the poem highlights the importance of resistance and the ways in which individuals and communities can challenge and resist dominant narratives and power structures. It suggests that despite the efforts of the colonizers to suppress and control the colonized, they have retained their sense of self and their will to resist. Finally, the poem encourages readers to consider the ways in which colonialism has shaped and continues to shape the world we live in and to recognize the need for change and a better future. It suggests that there is a possibility for transformation and progress, but that it requires the willingness to challenge and resist dominant narratives and power structures.