Get ready for the ultimate foundation paper piecing tutorial for beginners! This tutorial will give you all the tools to start this tricky and FUN quilting method plus access to 3 FREE FPP patterns!
Foundation paper piecing is a tricky way to sew fabric together that leaves you with crisp seams and precise points! This tutorial will give you all the tools you need to get started (and addicted!)
Foundation Paper Piecing Supplies
- Scrap fabric
- Tracing paper, or FPP specialty paper
- Fabric marker, optional
- Rotating cutting mat
- Acrylic ruler
- Rotary cutter
What paper do I use for Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP)?
There are a few options for paper to print your patterns on. Here are some pros and cons of each type. My preference is tracing paper but FPP paper is also nice!
Tracing paper
- Vellum/tracing paper (affiliate links)
- Stiff
- Easier to see through
- Can smear especially if using steam or water to press
FPP Specialty Paper
- Carol Doak’s Foundation Paper
- Doesn’t smear
- Not as stiff
- Easy to peel
Copy Paper
- Works but may tear out seams
Sunshine Block – Foundation Paper Piecing Tutorial
This block is the perfect starter block because it’s pretty simple but so pretty!
Grab a stack of scraps and let’s get started! Before we start, here are a few tips:
- Use a narrow stitch length, I use 1.8mm
- Make sure your scrap will cover the section of your FPP by folding it over before sewing
- When trimming, make sure to fold all the pieces that you don’t want to cut out of the way!
- Press between each new addition
Start by finding a scrap of fabric big enough for the section #1. Place it behind the template, overlapping the line by about 1/4.”
Flip the template and fabric over. Now find a scrap big enough for section 2 and place it right on top of the first scrap, lined up with the edge.
Gently fold over scrap 2 to make sure it will completely cover section 2 plus 1/4″ seam allowance.
Pin together – this is what it will look like:
Now sew right over the line! Sewing on paper is so fun, especially this tracing paper. Use a 1.8mm seam allowance.
Press the fabrics open. It will look like this:
Trim off some of the excess fabric if you want to. I like to mark the points of the line with a fabric marker. Then use a ruler to cut off the excess, leaving about 1/2″ past the line. Be sure to fold all the other fabrics and the template out of the way before trimming.
Now repeat with another scrap for section 3.
Here is a more detailed example of trimming the excess fabric:
Now repeat until you have all 7 sections filled. It may look a little crazy if you are using scraps like me.
This is what it will look like from the front!
Trim around the template from the back.
Peel off the paper from the back. If you are using copy paper, be careful not to pull the stitches out.
Press to finish your block!
Economy Block Pattern
Heart Block FPP Pattern
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