365 Foundation Quilt Blocks Download
Nestor De La Vergne
This is a short tutorial on how to design a foundation paper pieced block from a photograph. You can either use pencil and paper or software to create this. For a more detailed tutorial with video content and how to draw this in EQ8, see my online workshop Creating A Foundation Block From A Photo
7. After all your sections have been numbered, you are almost ready to start creating it. First make a copy of it and put your original aside. Separate the main sections. Add seam allowance to them. If you are hand drawing, you may need to trace them again with enough room between each foundation to add 1/4" (or more) seam allowance. Note: it is quite useful to add larger seam allowances for the foundations to give yourself a little wiggle room.
8. Make another copy of your foundations with seam allowances then make a test block. Select fabrics and make each foundation. Join all the foundations along the blue seams first, then work the red seams. Check your design and rework it if necessary adding any adjustments to your original copy.
Following the instructions in this blog post will definitely get you started but if you need more in depth instructions I suggest you sign up for my online workshop then I can spend some one-to-one time with you creating the foundation you want. Details for the workshop are given above in the blog post.
A Tribute to Yoda American Pride Block Drive 2013 - 10th Anniversary Block Drive 2014 - Anvil Block Drive 2014 - Buzz Saw Block Drive 2014 - Mississippi Block Drive 2016 - Valor Square Block Drive 2017 - Snowball Block Block Drive 2018 Block Drive 2019 Block Drive 2021 - Eight Point Floating Star Block Drive 2021 - WoNKy Floating Star Block Drive 2022 - Floating Churn Dash Courage Delbert's Glory Heroes Comfort Hometown Pride Illusion Liberty Block My New Pattern Not So Top Secret Patriotic Log Cabin Picket Fence Pinwheels Plus Proud American Ray's All American Stars and Stripes Salute to Service Shadow Star Block Simon Says Simply Patriotic Stars of Courage String Quilt - Foundation Pieced Striped and Spangled Type It HomeFAQsMemorable MomentsGenerations of ServiceOpen PositionsPolicies & ProceduresQuilts of Valor Foundation P.O. Box 191 Winterset, IA 50273
2004-2022 Quilts of Valor Foundation. All rights reserved. QOVF is a 501(C)(3) not for profit foundation.
I had no idea this was sewing month but I have been gathering up some projects myself and I think I have just added a quilt to the mix. Like you I have started but never finished. The technique you mentioned feels doable and the style I think I would love the most so thank you for the inspiration-and the additions to my fall TBR list ?
This post from you is very timely. A scrappy quilt was next on my list. I will join you but my thoughts are running to a coverlet, no batting. I have to work out in my head how to hide the join on the back without it being too bulky. A couple of other projects to finish before I start this one.
For many quilters, foundation papers have become one of their staple pieces in their sewing rooms for stitching up the most precise blocks! Foundation paper piecing is a technique that uses thin papers to stabilize fabrics to achieve precise quilting or patchwork quilting.
Show us the blocks that you have stitched up using your foundation papers on Facebook and Instagram. You can share with #itssewemma #flyinggeesefoundationpaper and #squareinasquarefoundationpaper. Be sure to tag @fatquartershop so we can see and share your work!
Fantastic tutorial, you did a great job and Mr Geek is wonderful . Great filming.
For a newbie quilter this video is just what I needed on this tricky block. The only worry is you made it look so easy!!
Just a quick question, my computer has printed the pdf a inch bigger, can I just knock that off when I copy and add the seam allowance box around it or will it cause a real problem.
Thanks Joanne
To foundation-piece, you stitch fabric pieces to a foundation paper with the marked side of the paper facing up and the fabric pieces layered underneath. The resulting pieced units will be mirror images of foundation papers. The diagrams and photos that follow show the right and wrong sides of an arc as it is being constructed.
1. To make a foundation paper, trace the desired pattern onto tracing paper or the foundation material of your choice, including all lines, numbers, and dots. Repeat to make the desired number of foundation papers.
6. Working with the marked side of the arc foundation paper up, sew on the stitching line through all layers, extending the stitching past the beginning and end of the line by a few stitches (Diagram 1 and Photo A).
TIP: Even though you can use the tiniest of scraps for foundation piecing, you need to have fabrics large enough to cover each section. A minimum of 1/2" larger than the piece to be covered is recommended. Because the foundation will stabilize your fabric, there's no need to worry about grain lines when you cut the fabric. The fabric pieces don't need to be cut perfectly, as any excess will be trimmed away after each piece has been stitched.
TIP: Because foundation piecing requires a lot of pressing, setting up a pressing surface close to your sewing machine will increase your productivity. The optimum location for your iron is one you can reach without getting out of your chair.
TIP: When inserting paper-pieced units into blocks with other non-foundation pieces do not remove the foundation paper until after the block is complete. Doing so will help maintain the unit's shape and stability as you sew the shapes together. Remove the paper after the block is complete.
TIP: If you've used foundation paper, it helps to start in the center of the block to remove it. Spritzing the paper lightly with water will soften it and help in removal. Running a pin or the tip of a seam ripper along the stitching line makes the paper easier to remove, too. Avoid tugging, as it will loosen your stitches. If the paper won't come out of a small area, use tweezers to gently pull it free.
The two most common mistakes in foundation piecing are not cutting your fabric large enough to cover the next section, and putting a right and wrong side of fabric together. To unstitch a seam, slide the point of your seam ripper flat along the stitches. Cut a few along the seam every 1/2" or so, pulling out the ones in between. This will keep the paper from ripping. Press your fabric open fully so that tucks don't form. Having a small ironing mat and rotary cutter on your sewing table will make your piecing quicker and easier.
Picture this: you just found the perfect foundation paper pieced quilt block for your project, you love everything about it, the motif is exactly what you were looking for.... and then you realize it's the completely wrong size for what you need. (insert sad face)
All is not lost, though, because shrinking and enlarging FPP quilt blocks is actually quite easy. Learn how to change the size of any foundation paper pieced quilt block with this easy tutorial and downloadable chart. All you need is a printer and/or photocopier and the Easy Quilt Block Resizer that does all the math for you. No more missing out on the perfect quilt block because it's the wrong size.
A quick note before we get started - this method works for foundation paper pieced quilt blocks because they use templates. If you shrink or enlarge all the templates in a block by the same amount, they will still fit together exactly as planned, the block will just get smaller or larger. This does not necessarily work the same way for traditionally pieced quilt blocks. I'm working on a tutorial for that as well, though, so keep an eye on this blog for a follow-up (hint, hint, signing up to my email list is *the* best way to never miss a new blog post).
To use the Easy Quilt Block Resizer, find the row with your current quilt block size on the left of the chart, then look for the column with the size you want across the top of the chart.*
Here is the quilt I made for my daughter and the plan for the future patterns. It features the four heelers, the logo, and four Sawtooth Star blocks. I will be sharing all seven patterns for free, so keep a lookout for any new posts and emails!
This is a free pattern and I will not be making any profit from the downloads. If you feel so inclined to support my time, feel free to check out my Etsy shop where I have not only more quilt patterns, but sewing related T-shirts and home goods.
Please note I am not doing my blocks on-point. If you are fussy cutting your blocks please be mindful of your fabric placement so that the motif will sit correctly if you decide to put your blocks on-point.
Printing Instructions: All of the foundation paper piecing patterns that were provided with the book are mirror images of the completed blocks pictured in the book. This is only an issue for blocks that are not symmetrical.
1. Print out the foundation paper piecing pattern for the required block at a scale of 100%. Using paper scissors roughly cut out the foundation paper piecing pieces leaving approximately 1/8th of an inch of spare paper around the dotted line.
To make a string quilt, you start with a foundation fabric or foundation paper, then use an easy sew-and-flip technique to attach strips and scraps to the foundation until the scraps completely cover the foundation.
You can make your blocks any size that works with the scraps you have. The smaller the block, the smaller the strings and scraps you can use. Larger blocks need longer strips to cover the foundation. In general, wider strips look good on larger blocks, and smaller ones look better on smaller blocks.
I love that you touched on the lack of plans or cutting when you are making the quilt. My spouse and I are trying to make some blankets and masks for our family this year. We need to make sure that we are using quality fabrics so the products last a long time.
dca57bae1f