How to do Foundation Paper Piecing

Have you tried Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP)? Or have you wanted to try it but never gotten around to it?

I'm so glad you're here to give it a try! I'll show you how I do FPP using Section C of the Pine Tree Cup FPP pattern so you can get an idea.

 

First, download the digital (PDF) file, then print it on letter-size paper. Make sure your printer is set to letter size and that you print it at actual size (no scaling).

  

Measure the 1" test square on the FPP paper to ensure it is the correct size.

  

Cut out the paper. You can cut along the cutting line, but I prefer to cut slightly outside it and trim it at the end, after sewing all the pieces for Section C.

 

The numbers on the paper indicate the order in which the pieces are sewn, and the letters represent the sections.

 

We will start sewing with C1 and C2. First, place a piece of fabric on C1 on the wrong side of the paper. It can be a bit tricky to see exactly where C1 is. To help, I fold along the sewing line to mark it, making it easier to identify C1 from the wrong side. Alternatively, you can use a light board if you have one, or hold the FPP paper up to a window to see through it using natural light.

 

I use a fabric glue pen to secure C1 in place. (Note: I trim the seam to 1/4" here.)

 

Apply a small amount of glue along the seam and place C2 on top of C1.

It doesn’t have to look as neat as it does in the photo above when you sew. You can use larger pieces of fabric and trim them later. I just prefer knowing exactly where I’m placing the piece.

 

Flip the paper over and sew along the line between C1 and C2. Use a shorter stitch length (I prefer 1.4 - 1.6) to make it easier to tear off the paper later. Be sure to sew the 1/4" seam allowance as well. You may backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the stitches..

 

Press. 

  

Repeat the process and sew C1 to C3. I used a scrap piece of fabric for C3.

  

Trim the seam to 1/4" before sewing C4. I like to do this first because it helps me see exactly where C4 goes. Alternatively, you can sew C4 first and then trim the seam to 1/4".

 

Apply glue to the seam, place a scrap piece for C4, flip the paper, and sew along the line between C1, C2, C3, and C4. Press.

 

Repeat the process to sew the remaining pieces for the tree.

  

Tip: When a light-colored fabric is sewn after a dark-colored fabric.

1) I trim the seam of the dark-colored fabric slightly smaller than 1/4".

 

2) Place the light-colored fabric onto the dark-colored fabric, ensuring that the edge of the light fabric extends past the cut line for the seam.

  

3) Press. This way, the dark green fabric won't show through the white fabric.

  

Repeat the process to sew the remaining pieces and complete Section C.

 

Sew Sections A, B, and C together to complete the block.

 

I hope this tutorial gave you an idea of how to do FPP! You can also check out my Instagram (click HERE) to see how I do it.

 

Happy quilting!