Paper Piecing
The drawings in the top row illustrate a couple of important things about foundation pieced quilt blocks.
- On the top left is an image of the front of a single Whirlwind foundation -- half of a block. You'll make two for each block and sew them together diagonally. All seams are sewn on the front of the foundation, on marked lines.
- At the top right is an image of the reverse side of a foundation. All fabric is positioned against the reverse side.
Assemble a Whirlwind Quilt Block
Grain Notes: When you're making a large quilt, it's best for the straight grain to be along the outer perimeter of a quilt block. Our dark patches will have bias edges along the block exterior. It isn't an issue for a miniature quilt, but handle the blocks with care to avoid stretching their edges, and try not to get in a rush when removing temporary foundations. (Permanent foundations stay in the quilt to stabilize stretchy edges, but there are pros and cons to each foundation type.)
- Grab one of your foundations, a 1-1/2" x 18" strip of dark fabric and four triangles cut from a 3" square.
- Place the dark strip right side up on the reverse side of the foundation, covering piece 1 (illustration lower left). The strip is transparent in the illustration to show you that it should overlap all lines of piece 1 by enough to create a stable seam allowance when those lines are sewn, and should extend a bit past the outermost foundation edges. You can trim the excess tail of the strip now or do it later.
- Place a background triangle right side down along the top right edge of the strip as shown. Hold both strips in place and turn the foundation over. Sew on the line separating pieces 1 and 2, beginning and ending a few stitches on either side of the line.
