Don’t just admire complex quilts with sharp, perfect points – create your own! Find out how to do foundation paper piecing with seven free block patterns and step-by-step guidance from author Elizabeth Dackson. Create beautiful blocks as Elizabeth shares easy-to-follow techniques for planning your projects, cutting fabric and getting started with paper foundations. Discover how warm and cool colors help to accentuate precise piecing, and find out how to properly place your fabric before stitching. Elizabeth will demystify stitch length, irregular foundations, directional prints and pictorial blocks, sharing expert tips for impeccable results. You’ll be delighted how quickly you master the basics and breeze into stunning showpieces!
Class Sessions
Session 1: Introduction
7:08
Meet longtime quilter Elizabeth Dackson and learn about the techniques covered in your class. Elizabeth explains the difference between foundation paper piecing and English paper piecing and discusses the kinds of paper you can use.
Session 2: Planning Your Block
25:30
Understanding how foundations work is key with paper piecing. It can be very confusing! But Elizabeth will walk you through the process step by step. Then play with fabrics and colors to plan out your blocks. Learn which types of solids, prints and color combinations will work best to show off your piecing. You'll cut and organize your fabric using the provided cut list, or make your own list with Elizabeth's handy tips.
Session 3: Sunray Block
41:44
Get started paper piecing with Elizabeth's fun and friendly Sunray block. Elizabeth discusses the stitch lengths you'll need to use, then demonstrates how to position your fabric pieces under your paper template using a sunny window, lamp or light box. Sew them together on the lines and you're on your way! Complete the block with Elizabeth's guidance and see how to get your seams and points lined up perfectly.
Session 4: The Vortex Block
34:31
Sew like the wind along along with Elizabeth as you create the Vortex block, which combines two different triangular templates. Elizabeth discusses fabric choices and shows you how to chain piece to speed up the sewing process. Learn how to handle this block's acute angles and finish the block. You can turn just four of these blocks into an adorable mini-quilt!
Session 5: The Starflower Block
19:19
Irregular foundations and directional prints will pose no problems when you have Elizabeth's tips for tackling them! Practice with your own fabrics to sew the Starflower quilt block. Using a basting stitch to match points means it's easy to rip out just a few stitches if they're not perfect, rather than the entire seam.
Session 6: Monarch Block
16:06
Build your confidence by sewing the more intricate Monarch block along with Elizabeth. You'll construct four templates, then sew them together to create one quarter-block -- yes, that's 16 templates in the completed block! And you can do it!
Session 7: Pictorial Blocks
27:37
Working with many smaller patches can give you the illusion of curves in your piecing and gives you the opportunity to create pictures and letters. Elizabeth demonstrates with the letters S, E and W and walks you through the trickiest bits. You'll be able to sew any pictorial design you like with your foundation paper piecing mastery!
Your Instructor
Elizabeth Dackson
Elizabeth Dackson is a passionate quilter, pattern designer and blogger. She is the author of Becoming a Confident Quilter, and her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Quilt, Quiltmaker, Fat Quarterly and more. She teaches quilting in venues across the United States, from local guilds to national events such as Sewing Summit and QuiltCon.
Bonus Material
Start Foundation Paper Piecing - Resources
Bonus Materials available for download after purchase.
FAQs
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