Quilting Paper Piecing Technique

Paper pieced quilt.

Paper piecing, sometimes called foundation piecing, is a traditional quilting technique made popular again in modern methods of quilt making. Paper pieced quilts are constructed by means of sewing several pieces of fabric onto a permanent or temporary foundation. Paper piecing is popular because it's possible to produce identical quilted blocks easily. When foundation piecing, fabric is sewn onto a copy of the pattern to consistently reproduce results. The fabric is sewn directly onto the paper with the pattern on it.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Copier/Printer
• Fabric
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Pins

Instructions

Making a Quilt with the Paper Piecing Method

1. Choose a pattern from a book or online, or print and duplicate a photo to use as a pattern. Use any image that can be put onto paper.

2. Print the pattern and make copies of the pattern for the number of squares you want.

3. Cut fabric to match your pattern size and shapes. Fabric should be larger than the template area to allow for sewing seams.

4. Pin one piece of fabric to the pattern template over a chosen section.

5. Set the sewing machine to sew at least 20 stitches per inch and sew on the piece of fabric over the chosen pattern area.

6. Flip the fabric face-up as it runs through the sewing machine.

7. Flip the fabric over and verify that the area is covered with fabric.

8. Trim excess fabric.

9. Flip the paper back over and pin another piece of fabric in place.

10. Repeat steps until the quilt block is complete.

11. Tear away the paper, or other printable medium, off of the completed block.

12. Sew completed pattern blocks together and add filler and backing (a whole-sized quilt piece) if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Use flower pins to pin the fabric to the pattern because they have a flat head and will prevent additional "bubbling" in the fabric.

• Replace your sewing needle for each project, because sewing through the paper will dull your needle.

• Watch your fingers when sewing.

References

• stitchersneedle.com: Paper piecing
• quiltingassistant.com: Paper piecing
• quilt.com: Foundation blocking

Resources

• The Paper Pieced Method