Sarah Callard - 100 Paper Pieced Quilt Blocks: Fun foundation pieced blocks for happy sewing

Edited by Sarah Callard

The technique of foundation paper piecing is where fabric is sewn directly onto a paper foundation. The paper is there to provide stability. It stops fabric from warping (even when sewn on the bias) and it allows pieces to be sewn that are considerably smaller and more awkwardly shaped than would normally be considered in quilting. The stitching is done on a sewing machine using tiny stitches that perforate and weaken the paper. When the sewing is complete, the paper is peeled away, leaving a beautiful piece of patchwork.

The range of different designs that can be achieved using foundation paper piecing is explored in this delightful collection. There are a total of 100 finished blocks from eleven talented designers embracing popular everyday themes, including food and drink, hobbies and leisure, and celebrations. The finished 6 (15.5cm) blocks can be incorporated into quilt designs, of course, but we wanted to give you a few other project ideas too, so there are ten to get you started.

If this is your first time using the foundation paper piecing technique, the Paper Piecing Technique chapter will have all the information you need. But even if you have experience of this method of patchwork, its worth taking the time to review this section as there are lots of tips for perfecting your skills. Enjoy!

The main aim of this book is to present a collection of 100 paper pieced blocks for you to pick and choose from, to incorporate into your quilting and sewing projects.Each block has the following items:

Photograph of the finished block: each block measures 6 x 6 (16.5cm x 16.5cm) which includes seam allowances, but this photo shows how the block will look once the block is used in a quilt or sewing project (i.e. without seam allowances).

You Will Need: this lists all the fabric requirements to make the block, starting always with the background fabric. Specific measurements are provided wherever a piece of fabric is required that measures 6 (15.5cm) or more in either dimension. If no specific measurement is given, you can safely assume that smaller scraps than this are required.

Block patterns: these show the design in reverse. Note that when paper piecing, the fabric is sewn to thebackof the paper pattern so the stitched sections are mirror images of the patterns.Each number on each pattern piece refers to a fabric piece, and the fabrics are sewn together in numerical order, starting with fabric piece 1.

Each pattern has a (6mm) seam allowance around the edge as indicated by the dashed line.

Reference diagram: this shows both the placement of the fabrics and how the pieced sections fit together to make the finished block (completed fabric-side view). Red lines indicate where the sections are joined. The order of joining of the pieced sections is outlined in the Block Construction text.

Block Construction: this gives step-by-step instruction for sewing the pieced sections together to complete the finished block, including how to press the sewn seams for neatest results.

The patterns are mirror images of the finished block. The back-to-front way of working may take a little getting used to, but the actual process of sewing is no different to other kinds of patchwork where two pieces of fabric are placed together with right sides facing and the seam sewn.

In this chapter, the basics of making foundation paper pieced quilt blocks are explained, with extra tips on perfecting your technique. If you are new to this method of working, do read through this section several times before making a start on your first block.

COPYING THE PATTERNS

The first thing to do is to make a copy of the patterns for your chosen block. While it is possible to use a thin 80gsm-weight printer paper, buying paper specially made for foundation paper piecing does have some advantages: it is easier to see through and quicker to tear away at the end of sewing, while limiting the risk of pulling out stitchesalthough it will be more expensive, of course!

The patterns for the blocks can be downloaded fromwww.davidandcharles.com. It is important to check your printer settings every time you print, otherwise your finished block may end up with the wrong dimensions. Where possible, print from a computer as phones and tablets often offer little control over printer settings. The exact wording used in print preferences settings can vary greatly depending on your printer and the software you are using. You need to print using print 100% or Actual Size. Do not use Shrink to Size or Fit to Page. Where possible, open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader, as this gives clear, unambiguous printing options.

Check the test 1 square has been printed correctly before cutting out your patterns ready to start sewing. This will enable you to quickly check that your pattern has not been accidentally reduced in size.

Once you are confident that the patterns have printed out to size, cut each pattern out along the dashed line.

Make a second copy of your patterns onto standard copy paper and colour in the sections to help you remember which fabric goes where, crossing out each piece on this guide as you sew it.

STITCH LENGTH

When you are ready to start paper piecing, you will need to reduce the length of your stitches. Stitch sizes can vary depending on the sewing machine, but for most machines aim for a stitch length between 1.5 and 2. The stitches should be close together, but not so close that they shred the paper. The small stitch length creates a line of small perforations along the paper, meaning that there is minimal strain placed on the stitches when the paper is torn away.

CUTTING FABRIC PIECES

Fabric cut for paper piecing should be approximately(1.3cm) larger than the printed shape on the paper pattern but you dont need to cut the pieces precisely. It can be useful to cut rectangles of fabric, then reuse the scraps later in your project (or for another block) to minimise wastage. Some people like to cut all their fabric before they piece; others prefer to cut as they sew, the choice is yours. It may, however, be sensible to cut out the largest pieces first and to use the remainder of the fabric (and cut-offs) for smaller pieces to ensure that you do not run out of your preferred fabric choice.

Not all the lettered sections that make up a block have to be pieced. Sometimes just a single piece of fabric needs to be cut in preparation to be sewn to the other sections in the construction of the block, as can be seen in pattern pieces C, D, I, J and K on the New Home Block.