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Foundation Paper Piecing Tutorial

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You may use any foundation paper pieced (FPP) pattern with this tutorial and follow the steps. However, if you wish to follow along with the tutorial exactly as shown, you can purchase my Economy Block FPP Quilt Block pattern below.

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The Basics

Foundation paper piecing, or FPP, is a sewing technique that allows quilters to create shapes and patterns that would be quite tricky to create otherwise. FPP does not require pre-cutting, cutting instructions or assembly instructions like traditional sewing patterns, but it does require patience and little practice. Once you learn the FPP technique, you should be able to tackle any FPP pattern you wish. Though some patterns are more intricate or detailed than others, the method is the same.

 

Recommended Materials and Notions

To learn the FPP technique, I highly recommend having the following materials on hand.

  • FPP Paper: There are many FPP paper options to choose from, ranging from regular printer paper to freezer paper to specialty paper made specifically for FPP. I’ve tried many different kinds of papers, and my favorite is June Tailor Perfect Piecing Foundation Sheets. You can purchase these in bulk from Amazon or Joann. They are lightweight, printer friendly, and transparent enough to see through so that I can ensure my fussy cuts are right where I want them to be.
  • Add-a-Quarter Ruler: This handy little notion helps ensure a 1⁄4” seam when trimming after each step of the FPP process. You’ll notice that one of the long edges is thicker than the rest of the ruler. This is so you’ll have a built-in 1⁄4” seam each time you trim. You can find these rulers in many online quilt shops, Amazon, and Joann.
  • Card Stock: You’ll need a small piece of card stock or thick paper approximately 4” x 6” in size. If you happen to have a Quilt With Kate notecard on hand, they work wonderfully for FPP.

 

Important Items to Note About FPP Patterns (A Must-Read Before Starting)

  • When working with a FPP pattern, you will be stitching on the printed side of the paper while the fabric will be on the back side (non printed side). You will be aligning the pieces of fabric on the back side of the paper, pinching them in place and then flipping the paper over to stitch on the printed lines. This sounds tricky, and it many feel that way at first, but you’ll likely find a rhythm after a bit of practice.
  • The solid lines are the lines on which you’ll be stitching. The dashed line around the perimeter of the pattern is your final trim line. The space between the outer solid line and dashed trim line is the final block’s seam allowance.
  • The fabric you choose for each section of the block must be at least 1⁄4” larger than the section it will be covering.
  • When stitching a FPP pattern, shorten your stitch length a bit, and be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each stitched line. This helps ensure that your stitches won’t rip out when removing the papers after your project is assembled and finished.
  • I recommend waiting to remove papers until all blocks of a project are stitched together and assembled, or until you’ve added sashing or borders. When making a FPP quilt, I remove papers when my entire quilt top is assembled.

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