Some folks know this as paper piecing, but I think “foundation” was added by modern quilters to differentiate this type of machine piecing (FPP) from the hand work required of English Paper Piecing (EPP).
Foundation paper piecing allows you to sew more intricate designs with greater accuracy and helps you maintain greater consistency when assembling basic units such as FG and HSTs if you use papers to construct those items. Below shows my set up for sewing FPP blocks and some 6-1/2″ Vintage Kite blocks made using paper foundations available at Fat Quarter Shop. Notice my stitch length is set at 1.4. A short stitch length makes it easier to remove the papers.
When my quilt guild asked for assistance with sewing blocks for the raffle quilt, the tiny paper pieced triangles (about 8 different parts in each triangle) were the only things left. I took a baggie home and unearthed my FPP supplies from a class taken with Deb Karasik ages ago. She’s now retired and no longer in business.
The first triangle block I totally botched. The second attempt actually looked good except it was ass-backwards. The third time was the charm. I turned in my two completed blocks. The coordinator thanked me for helping with the hard blocks and informed me I wasn’t the only person to turn in “reversed” blocks.
After the guild meeting, I pulled out my pad of Vintage Kite FPP papers and got to work. Three evenings and 15 blocks later, I remember why FPP’s not my first choice for a construction method – I detest pulling out the papers (messy & tedious). However, FPP is quite addictive once I’m in the zone and this pattern is a real scrap buster. I have 15 more blocks to make before I can assemble my quilt top.
Tools for FPP:
Microtex needles, size 80/12 or 90/14
Open toe foot
Clover flower head (super thin) pins
Glue stick
Add a Quarter ruler in 6″ or 12″ (may need Add an Eighth size for small blocks with tiny, tiny pieces)
Seam roller
Piece of cardstock or template plastic to use as straight edge (2″ wide by 9″ long works well)
Rotary cutter, mat and small ruler
Pattern printed in reverse on lightweight paper
Video tutorials on FPP:
Kimberly @ Fat Quarter Shop demonstrating how to make the FPP Kite blocks shown above.
Carol Doak, well known for her FPP, showing how it’s done.
I actually made 30 Vintage Kite blocks that will be turned into a small lap size quilt (40″x50″).
Come Stitch With Me 