What Is Paper Piecing? Is it the Same as Foundation Piecing?
You've probably heard quilters talk about paper piecing, even if you are brand new to the craft. The term is a bit confusing because paper piecing is just one of the names used to describe the broad category of foundation piecing, where patches are sewn directly onto a foundation template, an exact replica of a quilt block or portion of a block.
- The term 'paper' clicked with quilters because many of the templates used to sew a quilt are printed onto paper foundations.
- Flip and sew and sew and flip are two more terms often associated with paper piecing. Both describe the actions you'll take when sewing a foundation pieced quilt.
- Foundation piecing is a traditional method that's had a dramatic rebirth since the early 1990s. Miniature quilt enthusiasts were among the first to rediscover foundation piecing, because when the method is done correctly, blocks are perfect every time, even when they are sewn with tiny patches.
- Don't confuse the paper piecing method described here with English paper piecing -- that's a completely different technique.
- String piecing is a popular freehand version of foundation piecing.
How Do Quilters Paper Piece a Quilt?
For one paper piecing method, fabric is positioned on the unprinted side of a foundation, with edges overlapping drawn lines. The fabric's placement is easy to see by holding the foundation up to the light.
Seams are sewn on the front (printed side) of the foundation template, directly on the lines, and the overlapped edges of fabric on the back become seam allowances. If you position fabric carefully and sew on the lines, your blocks will always be perfect.
Foundation templates can be drawn or printed on paper, fabric or another material. The only seam allowance on the template is the one that surrounds the outer perimeter of the block or partial block.
It's more difficult to describe paper piecing that to actually do it -- you'll find that it's one of the easiest techniques you've ever tried, even if you don't quite understand the process at first.
Foundation Materials
Foundation templates can be permanent or temporary.
- Permanent foundations stay in the quilt forever.
- Temporary foundations are usually removed after the blocks are joined, but before the quilt is sandwiched with batting and backing.
Pros and Cons of Permanent and Temporary Foundations
- Permanent foundations add an extra layer that can make hand quilting difficult.
- Permanent foundations add bulk to seam allowances where blocks or other foundation pieced units are joined.
- Permanent foundations remain to stabilize patches, so you can use up bits and pieces of your stash without regard to fabric grain placement.
- Temporary foundations are sewn with short stitches that help perforate the template for easier removal and keep seams stable when foundations are pulled away, but short stitches can be difficult to remove if you must rip out a seam to correct errors.
- You can use longer stitches on permanent foundations.
- It takes time to remove most types of temporary foundations, especially when patches are small.
Permanent Foundation Choices
Lightweight muslin and other cotton fabrics are traditional choices for permanent foundations. Woven fabric has a tendency to stretch during handling, and the stretch can create skewed blocks. Moisture enhances stretch, so use a dry iron to press quilt blocks during assembly.
It's easy to print on fabric when you back it with freezer paper. Many companies offer pre-treated and pre-backed fabrics made especially for quilters.
Non-woven interfacing is another foundation option. It's sheer, doesn't stretch, and template lines are visible from both sides to make fabric placement a cinch.
Temporary Foundation Choices
Smooth vellum can be used for temporary foundations and will feed through most laser printers. Blank newsprint is another choice and it pulls away easily after sewing.
Commercial foundations are also available. Many are made so they will pass easily through inkjet and laser printers.
- The Electric Quilt offers precut sheets of temporary foundation material made from a non-woven, rayon polyester blend.
- Collins' Wash Away Foundation Paper is designed to dissolve in ten seconds when the finished quilt is placed in water.
Other plain and pre-printed foundations are available at quilt shops and from mail order suppliers.
I normally use temporary foundations for quilt blocks, because I prefer to avoid a bulky extra layer. I do use permanent foundations for projects that would look best with a stiffer appearance -- such as items that will decorate clothing or accessories, when I am making a string quilt, and when I can disregard the weight and hand quilting issue if a longarm quilter will quilt the finished project.
Stitches and Needles
- Use 15-20 stitches per inch when piecing on temporary foundations. Go with the higher stitch count for minis with short seams to keep them from unraveling when foundations are removed.
- Keep stretch to a minimum by making sure the fabric's straight grain lies along the outer perimeter of a block when using temporary foundations.
- Begin each project with a new needle. Needles must pierce multiple layers of fabric and paper, so they become dull more quickly.
Paper Piecing Seam Allowances
- Trim back seam allowances to an even width after you sew each seam within the foundation, or you'll end up with thick bunches of unruly fabric on the back of your quilt blocks.
- Don't worry if the raw edges of fabric don't match exactly when you're positioning patches to sew a seam since you'll trim them back after sewing.
- If paper piecing is new to you, cut your patches a little larger than necessary. Add roughly 3/8" to each finished edge instead of 1/4". Once you're accustomed to the technique you can reduce the seam allowance.
Working with Mirror Image Shapes
The image that will be sewn is drawn on the front of the template, but fabric patches are sewn to the reverse side of the template, making each block a mirror image of the drawing. Compensate by creating a mirror image template when you want to reverse an asymmetrical block's image.
See my Miniature Oddfellows Star quilt pattern for an example.
Remove Little Bits of Fabric
- Keep a pair of tweezers on hand for removing small bits of temporary foundations from your paper pieced blocks.
- Use short stitches to help perforate papers and keep seams intact when papers are removed.
Have fun with paper piecing and remember that patch sizes in most patterns are estimates. Go ahead and use larger scraps if you wish. For slightly smaller scraps, position the fabric with less of an overlap at seams to create narrower seam allowances.
Still not sure about paper piecing? The method will make more sense after you practice paper piecing a log cabin block.