FOUNDATION PAPER PIECING
TUTORIAL
Ready to take the plunge and learn something new? Great, let’s start by making this beginner-friendly block Whirly Star.
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Preparation is key! Materials required for FPP.
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Paper pattern
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Whirly Star FPP pattern
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Fabric
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Thread
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Rotary cutter
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Cutting mat
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Pins
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Paper scissors or rotary cutter used only on paper
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Iron & ironing board
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Sewing machine
Love clean straight lines & precision piecing, then Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) is for you!
I used Quiet Play’s “Maker” pattern to make this cute pouch. I love how crisp the lettering comes out with FPP.
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FPP uses a foundation template (usually paper), giving you precise control over your pattern. It might look hard but after a few blocks you will realise it is not. Opening up a whole new world of precision design to you! FPP is done by sewing fabric to a printed paper foundation. Remove the paper, and your impeccably pieced block is ready!
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Step 1: Trim your Pattern & Colour your design
Trim down the pattern to just larger than the dotted outer line.
The dotted line on my pattern is the ¼” seam allowance.
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** Colouring your pattern can help with layout. I find it a great help for more complicated patterns.
** Remember never to use your fabric scissors/rotary cutter on paper. I have marked my ‘paper’ rotary cutter with a ribbon. When my fabric blade starts getting blunt, it gets a second life as my ‘paper’ blade.
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Cut your fabric into pieces large enough to cover their numbered sections, allowing a generous seam allowance.
** If you hold the block up to a light source, you can check if you have enough seam allowance.
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Step 2: Prepare your machine
Set your machine to a shorter stitch length, 1.3mm – 1.5mm. Remember to use a locking stitch at the start and end of all seams.
Wondering why? As you will tear out the paper at the end, you want a nice strong seam.
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Step 3: Time to start sewing
Looking at your pattern, you will notice each section is labelled with a number. You will start with number 1. Place your fabric right side down and align your pattern over the top (i.e. back of fabric to back of paper) making sure you have at least a ¼” overhang. Pin in place.
Place your fabric for section 2 right side together with fabric 1, making sure you have at least a ¼” overhang. Pin in place.
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Make sure your stitch length is shortened! Sew along the line between section 1 & 2, starting just a few stitches before the line, and ending just a few stitches past the line finishing point with a locking stitch.
Then fold the paper away from the fabric along the line you just stitched. Measure ¼” from the paper and trim a ¼” seam allowance removing the excess fabric.
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Unfold the paper and turn the block over, so the fabric is side up. Using a dry, hot iron, press the seam.
** A wooden seam roller can also be used in place of an iron.
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Step 4:
Your next line to sew will be the line between section 1 & 3. Following the process outlined above complete section 3, and then section 4. You will end up with a block that is ready to be trimmed down to the finished size.
Remember to trim along dotted lines, this is your ¼” seam allowance on finished block.
Completed block with beautiful straight precise lines! Ready to be assembled into the complete Whirly Star block.
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Step 5: Repeat three more times!
Complete the three other paper patterns you have printed out following the process outlined above.
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With your four completed pieces, you are ready to assembly the completed Whirly Star block!
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Step 6: Complete Whirly Star block
Sew two blocks together, making sure you sew a ¼” seam. Remove seam paper only and iron seams flat.
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Repeat with the other two pieces. Lay the blocks face down and check that the seams have been ironed in opposite directions before joining them together, this reduces bulk in the centre.
Sew together to create finished 10” block. Remove the seam paper only and iron flat.
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Time to tear the rest of the paper from the back of the block. Check that you don’t pull any seams when removing the paper, this is where the short stitch length shines. It should perforate the paper enough so that the paper comes out relatively easily.
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**To remove paper from tricky areas; a spritz of water, a seam ripper or pin can help remove the paper.
Give you completed block a good iron.
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Congratulations! You have a finished block.
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TIPS:
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Always shorten your stitch length, 1.3mm – 1.5mm.
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Check your pattern when you print it out. Use the scale box provided on the pattern to check.
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Colour code your sections of your template.
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Use a ribbon to distinguish your ‘paper’ rotary cutter from your material one.
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DON’T tear the paper until the end of the block.
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Spray bottle of water, helps “encourage” those stubborn pieces of paper come out easier.
