Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) dates back to the 18th century and is a great technique for creating blocks that make precise shapes or simplified pictures of things, like a flower.
Many patterns are available online either free or for a small fee. Some are very detailed requiring many pieces while other simpler patterns have just a few pieces. This month we are leaving it up to you to choose an appropriate pattern for our ‘Things in The Garden’ theme. Below, you’ll find links to some free patterns, some require that you subscribe to their newsletter, others are pdfs you can download directly to your computer.
FPP involves placing your fabrics under the paper and sewing on top of the paper. This can be confusing at first. If you are a beginner, choose a simple pattern and follow the ‘how to do FPP’ video by Connecting Threads. It’s very methodical and has good visuals.
You can use foundation paper sold in stores or online, or just use regular printer paper and a short stitch. The commercial foundation paper is strong yet easy to tear away after sewing.
Choice of FPP block is up to you—flowers, butterflies—anything you find in a garden. Colour and fabric (solids and/or prints) are up to you, look to any garden for inspiration 🙂🌻🐝. Size of blocks are also up to you, the winner can assemble the blocks with infill pieces. For reference, the Bee block is 9-inches square, however you can print block patterns out at smaller or larger sizes.
Suggested FPP videos:
– How to do Foundation Paper Piecing by Connecting Threads (this video is recommended for FPP beginners)
– Paper Piecing made simple by Angela Walters
– How to Foundation Paper Piece Scrap Flowers with On Williams Street
– Advantages vs Disadvantages of FPP on Learn How to Quilt
Free FPP pattern links:
BEE PATTERN (Kohatu Patterns)
Rachel from Kohatu Patterns offers a lovely Bee FPP pattern if you subscribe to her monthly newsletter.
SCRAP FLOWER PATTERN (on Williams Street)
This is a link to the FPP Scrap Flower tutorial. To get the free pattern, subscribe to their free email list and a code will be sent to you to download the pattern.
BLUEBIRD PATTERN (Riley Blake Designs)
Click the ‘Paper Pieced Bird Block’ to download the free pdf. Your bird can be any colour!
SPRING TIME BLOOMS (Quilt Doodle Designs Block #10)
Click on “download the pattern” You may only want to reproduce the flower part of this pattern or you can do the leaves and pot as well.
Many more free patterns may be found online.P
