Welcome to Cynthia England's website!
Cynthia is an international fiber artist, pattern designer and author.
She is known for the technique she developed called "Picture Piecing".
One of her quilts, "Piece and Quiet" was distinguished as one of the Hundred Best Quilts of the 20th Century.
She has received many awards for her work; including three Best of Show awards at the prestigious International Quilt Festival.
Have fun as you explore the site and her unique technique, Picture Piecing.
What is Picture Piecing?
Picture Piecing is a unique technique that Cynthia developed to achieve detailed quilt imagery. Many quilters assume it is just another name for paper piecing or foundation piecing, but Cynthia's approach is much more!
While similar to these techniques in that it uses paper and straight seams, Picture Piecing has several differences, allowing quilters to achieve detailed imagery more efficiently, with less frustration and fabric waste.
It looks like Paper Piecing, but it's not! What's different?
- No paper to pick out
- No fabric waste: cut out exactly what you need
- What you see is what you get!
- Can reuse the pattern
- Use a regular stitch length
- You can "chain stitch" in larger sections
- You can CHEAT!
If you don't sew it perfectly, don't rip it out! You can either sew closer, or pick the paper pattern up and move it!
Free Tutorials and Free Patterns
Try out our Free Patterns
See just how easy it is to use the "Picture Piecing" technique!
Attend one of Cynthia's Workshops
Here are the venues where you'll find Cynthia: