How to Accurately Cut Fabric for Foundation Paper Piecing

How to Accurately Cut Fabric for Foundation Paper Piecing


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I love foundation paper piecing (FPP), but one of the most frustrating problems I had when I was a newbie was coming up short. I would be happily piecing my block, go to flip the next section to press it, and crap! It would be too short or too thin or both. Even worse, I'd be pressing a finished block and find a "hole" at a seam where a piece came up short...ugh! I eventually discovered a method that has worked great for me.

I first saw this technique in Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts by RaNae Merrill. I modified it slightly by using freezer paper. It's a simple and foolproof method for cutting your FPP fabric pieces. This method is especially great for when you have multiples of the same block.

INSTRUCTIONS


YOU WILL NEED
  • Foundation piecing template that has been mirrored.
  • 8½" x 11" sheet of freezer paper
  • Scissors
  • Rotary cutter
  • Quilting ruler
  • Fabrics for your block
  • Coloured pencils or markers to match your fabrics.


1. Print your template on the dull side of your freezer paper.


2. Colour each section of the template with the fabric colour you want to use for that section. If a section is a white or cream colour, you can make a symbol to represent that colour or leave it blank.


3. Cut out each freezer paper section into separate pieces and lay them on the corresponding fabric with the right side of the fabric facing up. Leave a generous space all the way around each section. Press lightly with a hot iron to get the freezer paper to stick. If you need multiples of the same section, you can place the freezer paper sections on 4 to 5 layers of fabric.


4. With your quilt ruler, cut ¾ inch allowance around each section.


5. All your cut sections should look like this when you're done. They're now ready to be pieced with no surprises. It's important to NOT remove the freezer paper from the top of the stack. Pick up your fabric pieces from the bottom so you will know which piece it is.

DIY Quilter's Ironing Board

DIY Quilter's Ironing Board

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HOW TO MAKE A QUILTERS IRONING BOARD

I've used a regular ironing board for quilting my whole life. So, when I started seeing these wide ironing boards for quilting, I knew I had to have one. I wish I'd made one of these years ago because it truly makes a difference when ironing quilt tops. If you have an ironing board, you can make one of these quilting boards yourself in a day.

SUPPLIES
  • Standard metal ironing board
  • 20" x 55" - 3/8" or 1/2" plywood (No saw? Most hardware stores will cut this for you.)
  • [8] screws
  • [8] washers
  • [1] 26" x 60" cotton duck fabric.
  • [1] 24" x 60" insulated batting. (I used Insul-Brite® by Warm Company)
  • [2] 24" x 60" 100% cotton quilt batting TOOLS
TOOLS
  • Measuring Tape
  • Pencil
  • Screwdriver
  • Handsaw
  • Sandpaper
  • Staple gun and staples shorter than the thickness of your board
INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Measure and mark 1½ inches from the corners of the board. (Fig.1).


Figure 1

2.  Cut this amount off the corner a hand saw. (Fig. 2)


Figure 2

3.  Staple the fabric and batting layers evenly around the edge of the board in this order.
 (Fig. 3)

Layer 1:  Quilt Batting
Layer 2:  Insul-Brite® batting shiny side up
Layer 3:  Dotton Duck 
Layer 4:  Removable cotton ironing board cover.


Figure 3


Figure 3 (Detail)

4.  Place ironing board upside down onto the board top being sure it is lined up correctly.
Mark where each screw will go. (Fig. 4)


Figure 4

5. Screw the screws with the washers through the holes in the mesh. (Fig 5)


Figure 5

6. Tada!! Your new ironing board is now ready to be enjoyed.


My Easter Egg table runner featured at Connecting Threads

This is my second pattern to be kitted by Connecting Threads. It's my Easter Egg Table Topper. The Easter fabric Eggstraordinary by Connecting Threads was perfect for this project. Buy the kit at Connecting ThreadsBuy the pattern HERE.

Tips for Sorting Your Fabric Scraps

Tips for Sorting Your Fabric Scraps

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Well, another new year has begun. All the Christmas decorations are put away, the turkey leftovers are eaten, and life has fallen back into a regular routine. This is the time of year that I like to tidy my studio and get it ready for the days ahead. It's also the perfect time to purge some of my scrap fabrics and get them ready for scrap quilts.

When I first started sorting scraps, I wasn't quite sure what to do with them. I now follow a few simple rules I learned along the way.

1. Have a scrap basket handy to throw unused cut-offs. I keep mine under my cutting table..


2. I consider anything smaller than a Fat Quarter (18" x 22") a scrap.

3. Cut scraps in various sized squares. I cut an assortment of squares for nine-patch blocks in the following sizes: 5", 2¾",  and 2".  See my post on how to do this How To Cut Scraps for 9-Patch Quilt Blocks 

4. You'll be amazed at how fast your square supply grows. Keep your squares in a storage container.

quilt scraps in container

5. Keep leftover fabric strips to use for string quilts. I this container from the dollar store.



Download the FREE PDF pattern CHECKER BOARD SCRAPPY MINI QUILT PATTERN

Free Checkerboard Mini Quilt Pattern

HERE ARE SOME EXCELLENT SOURCES THAT HELPED ME GET MY SCRAPS ORGANIZED

Holiday Magic Wall Quilt Pattern

Talk about getting a pattern project finished under the wire. I really wanted to have the pattern launch done for my Holiday Magic wall quilt long before Christmas, but Christmas preparations and our new puppy took up most of my time. I love, love, love this pattern and I think you will too. It's made up of simple foundation piecing and fusible web applique. I think it would be stunning in any Christmas fabric. Anyone with basic applique and foundation piecing skills will have no trouble doing this up quickly.

Holiday Magic Wall Quilt




We had our own special "holiday magic" this Christmas. Here is our little Pomeranian-cross puppy, Teddy. We adopted him a few weeks ago, and he's settling in quite well although Sophie can be a little impatient with him.

Teddy - image 1
Our new puppy Teddy


Teddy - image 2
Teddy in his favourite hiding place under the coffee table.

Make Your Own Fat Quarter Boxes

Make Your Own Fat Quarter Boxes


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Like most quilters, my fabric stash often fills up faster than I can store it, ending up with me not knowing what I have or what I don't have. Thankfully, I love organizing and having a place for everything and everything in its place.

I normally buy fat quarters and charm packs for my projects, so I needed a storage solution that would keep them nicely organized and in plain sight. After much experimenting, I came up with a box that's perfect for storing fat quarters and charm packs.

YOU WILL NEED

  • Download the Fat Quarter Storage Box template HERE
  • Printer
  • [1] 24"x 36" cardboard sheet, cut into two 24" x 18" sheets. (Cardboard sheets can be purchased at any art store).
  • tape (I used masking tape)
  • double-sided tape
  • spray glue or large glue stick
  • pencil
  • utility knife

MAKING THE BOX TEMPLATE


1. Print the [4] four template pieces.
2. Cut along the inner edges of the template pieces.
3. Line up the pieces using the dots then tape together. Do not overlap. (Fig 1)

Make Your Own Fat Quarter Boxes-1

4. With spray glue or a glue stick, glue the assembled template to the first sheet of cardboard. (Fig 2)

Make Your Own Fat Quarter Boxes-2

5. With a utility knife, carefully cut out the template along the outer edges.

Make Your Own Fat Quarter Boxes-3

HOW TO MAKE THE FAT QUARTER BOX


1. Pin the template to the second cardboard sheet; you maybe don't want to use your best pins for this. Trace the template and carefully cut out this piece with a utility knife.

Make Your Own Fat Quarter Boxes-4

2. Lightly score the cardboard on the dotted lines on the template.

3. Gently bend the box at the scored lines.

4. Using double-sided tape or glue, join the flaps to the outside of the box and add pressure to be sure the glue sticks. 

Make Your Own Fat Quarter Boxes-5 Make Your Own Fat Quarter Boxes-6 Make Your Own Fat Quarter Boxes-7

This isn't the prettiest box I admit, but it does the job. You could spray paint it, cover it with Mactac, or use nicer cardboard.


Merry Christmas!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Candy Carousel Table Runner

Candy Carousel Table Runner Pattern

My newest pattern, Candy Carousel, was inspired by Christmas peppermint candies. This table runner pattern is simple and modern. It would make an excellent project for the confident beginner. Pattern includes instructions for making quick pinwheel blocks.



Candy Carousel quilted table runner pattern - detail #2


Candy Carousel quilted table runner pattern - detail #1


Candy Carousel quilted table runner pattern - detail #3

How to Raise Your Cutting Table to Reduce Back Strain


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HOW TO RAISE YOUR CUTTING TABLE TO REDUCE BACK STRAIN (Updated July 5, 2018)


When I worked as a graphic designer, I sat for long hours at the computer. It was easy to get lost in my work and not pay attention to my body. I paid the price, however, because this caused me to suffer from back pain for years. So, when I started quilting more, it became clear that I needed an ergonomically friendly cutting table. There were several options available to me, but I opted to buy the Linnmon/Finvard table from Ikea. This Ikea table height can be adjusted to several heights with a "peg-in-the-hole system." This table was a great buy, but there are other ways to get a raised table without putting out a lot of cash.
 
Linnmon/Finvard adjustable worktable from Ikea (Discontinued).

FIND THE CORRECT TABLE HEIGHT FOR YOU

Measure from the floor to about 6 inches below your elbow. This will give you the proper table height for your height.


TYPES OF RAISERS


1.  FOLD-AWAY TABLE AND PVC PIPE


You can make most any fold-away table ergonomically friendly using PVC pipe. You can buy PVC pipe in the plumbing section of any hardware store. This project uses 1.5 inch PVC pipe.

FIND THE LENGTH TO CUT THE FOUR PVC PIPES
  1. Measure the original table height, e.g. 38 inches
  2. Now, measure the table leg from the joint to the floor, e.g. 20 inches
  3. Subtract the new table height needed from the original table height, e.g. 45" - 38" = 7 inches
  4. Add measurement B to measurement C, e.g. 20" + 7" = 27 inches
  5. Cut four PVC pipes 27 inches long. 
  6. Slip the PVC pipes over the table leg as shown in Diagrams 1 & 2.


Diagram 1


Diagram 1

2.  BED RISERS


The next option for raising your table is a bed riser. Bed risers can be purchased online or at a hardware or furniture store. Bed risers range in heights from approximately 3 inches to 8 inches.



3.  WOOD SCREW-IN FINIAL


Lastly, if your table legs are wood, you can attach wooden screw-in finals to the bottom of them. Drill a hole into the bottom of the table leg the length of the end screw on the finial. Screw the finial into the leg. You could secure the finial with a little bit of very strong glue for extra support. Finials come in a variety of shapes and lengths.