Foundation Paper Piecing can open a whole new world in quilting. With paper piecing, you can easily create shapes and patterns that aren’t easy to make with traditional piecing methods.
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Foundation Paper Piecing Tools
There are just a few tools needed to do foundation paper piecing.
- Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern
- Add-A-Quarter Ruler
- Glue pen (optional)
- Sewing Pins
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Foundation Paper Piecing Patterns
Most foundation paper piecing patterns come with the foundation papers that you will need to complete the quilt top. These papers are typically thinner than regular paper stock. For this example I’m using the Solar Flare Quilt Pattern by Stacy Day that uses Tula Pink’s True Colors fabric.
This quilt kit uses two shapes of foundation paper pieces to make the finished quilt. There are 12 squares and 12 triangles that assemble to make this stunning quilt. The method to assemble these shapes are the exact same. Please refer to your pattern for fabric placement. I will be showing how to do one of the triangle foundation papers.
Preparation for Paper Piecing
Select the foundation paper that you will be working with first. I find that it’s easiest to fold on all of the solid lines in advance. This make the paper easier to work with once the fabric is sewn on. Fold the paper both backwards and forwards on each of the lines.
I labeled each of the number sections with the corresponding fabric letter so that I could keep track easier with so many pieces.
Getting Started with Foundation Paper Piecing
The paper pieces are numbered in the order in which you will add each piece. After the first two pieces are sewn down, it becomes just trimming, adding the next piece, pressing, and repeat. The solid lines on the printed side of the foundation paper are the lines that you will sew directly on.
To start, flip the paper so that the blank side is face up. Place the first piece right side up on the back of the paper so that it overlays the number “1” section of the pattern. This might take a little bit of wiggling around and holding it up to light to see the wedge shape of the number 1 section behind the fabric. The folds we already added to the paper will help with this. Once it’s in place with at least 1/4″ overhanging the solid lines all the way around, pin that piece down to the paper. You can also use a little bit of fabric glue to hold the fabric in place.
Next, we have to trim this starter piece so that it overhangs the stitch line between sections 1 and 2 by 1/4″. To do this, flip the paper so the printed side is up, and fold along the previously folded line between sections 1 and 2.
Using the Add-A-Quarter Ruler, place the lip of the ruler on the folded edge of the paper, and trim the excess fabric away. This gives you the perfect 1/4″ seam allowance for this first piece.
Next, unfold the paper, and place the paper fabric side up again, line up piece number two along the edge you just cut on piece 1, right sides together.
Pin piece number two in place near the center so that it is out of the way when you stitch along the printed line on the other side of the paper.
Sewing the Foundation Paper
With the pieces pinned down to the paper, take the paper to your machine and sew with a short stitch length right along the line between sections 1 and 2. Using a short stitch length will perforate the paper and make it easier to remove at the end. I typically use a 1.2 stitch length on my Juki machine. If the paper is falling off too easy, lengthen the stitch length to a little bit longer.
Stitch, Press, Trim, Repeat
After the initial two pieces are attached, it becomes easier to keep adding each additional piece section according to the numbered sections on the printed side of the paper. You press the seam to the side, flip the paper over, fold the next line, trim using the Add-A-Quarter Ruler, and pin the next piece of fabric in place to sew.
Adding the Final Pieces to the Foundation Paper
On this specific pattern, the last two pieces are the bottom point of the triangle. To add these, simply fold along the horizontal line between the segments and piece 13. Trim along the paper as you have been. Then add piece 13, right sides of fabric together, making sure the piece will fall between the printed lines when pressed open.
Using the same process, add the final section of the triangle.
Trimming the Finished Blocks
After all of the fabric pieces are sewn down to the foundation paper, it’s time to trim it to size. Referring back to the first image of the foundation paper, you can see that there is a 1/4 inch seam allowance all the way around the triangle shape. When we trim to the final shape, we want to make sure to leave that seam allowance on the fabrics. Therefore, we trim on the outside line all the way around the triangle. The final trimmed piece will look like this.
You can pull the papers gently off the back at this stage, or wait until all of your blocks are sewn and pull the paper off all at once. I typically wait and pull all the foundation paper from the quilt blocks at the same time.
Tips and Tricks
- Fold all of your foundation papers on the stitch lines prior to sewing. This allows the seams to be cut easily with the Add-A-Quarter ruler on each step.
- Carefully mark your fabric pieces and your paper piecing sections with the corresponding letters to help aid with fabric placement.
- Hold the foundation paper up to the light or use a light board to make sure that the fabric will extend past the solid lines on the paper by 1/4″ after being stitched down. You might have to audition where the piece will be once it is flipped open to press. This is especially important on the ends of the fabric pieces to make sure it extends far enough over the seam allowance once the block is trimmed.
- Using a short stitch length is crucial to removing the paper cleanly once it’s time to do so. If it’s not short enough, you will pop your stitches when you tug on the paper. If it’s too short, you will have your paper falling off before you’re ready to remove it.
I hope this foundation paper piecing tutorial encourages you to give this technique a try. It opens up a whole new world of quilting.
