I had such a wonderful response to my Frosty pattern! I sent a copy to all who supplied me with contact information. If you are reading this and did not get a copy of the pattern, please send your contact information to info@gatewayquiltsnstuff.com so I can send one to you.
The winner of Monday's drawing is Mary Ellen Futch. Congrats Mary! I will send you the fabric bundle and my Geese on the Loose pattern.
I had said that I would post my method for foundation piecing in this blog. I love to paper piece (or foundation piece) because of the wonderful accuracy, but I don't like tearing off all of that paper when I am done. I have a friend, Dolores, who helps me piece quilts for magazines and I usually give her the foundation sections to piece because she is so quick. I was doing a pineapple block and when she was done, I didn't want to pay her to just tear paper off so I did it. It took me 10 hours to tear off all of the paper! After that I thought there had to be a better way. I'm not sure whether I came up with this method first, but I know I definitely like it better than the alternative!
What it involves is instead of using tracing paper or foundation paper, I use freezer paper. You can use the large rolls that you can purchase at the grocery store or you can purchase 8-1/2" x 11" sheets here: Freezer paper.tofrombuy=QuiltingSupplies||||1&p=2.
All of my patterns that have foundation piecing in them include a CD with tips for sewing plus the PDF of the foundation section so you can print it with your home printer. Here is what the quilt looks like. I designed this pattern for the Hoffman Challenge. It traveled with one of the groups and it has also won many ribbons. This is a popular workshop that I teach.
Here is what the foundation section looks like, on one section, printed on the freezer paper.
I printed on the paper side (not shiny side). Also with all of my foundation patterns I have designed a set of acrylic templates to use either for traditional piecing or for foundation piecing. I like to use templates because I have very little waste when I sew and I like to use the correct shape for the section so that I don't make a mistake and sew a patch that either doesn't fill the space or is turned in a wrong direction. This is what the templates look like. I include a couple extra templates, which I will explain their use later in the blog. You can find the templates here: Geese on the Loose templates.
I use the small templates for cutting out the pieces for foundation piecing. Since the templates include the 1/4' seam allowance and I need slightly larger pieces for the foundation piecing, I use an Add-a-Quarter ruler to add an extra 1/4" around the entire template.
Start by cutting a strip 1/2" larger than the template and use an Add-a-quarter ruler to add an extra 1/4" around the template so I have enough fabric for the sections.
When using the freezer paper you do not have to sew on the paper. Here are the steps to using it.
Step 1: Press the first fabric wrong side of the fabric to the shiny side of the paper.
Step 2: Fold the paper back (I used my business card) on the line between #1 and #2. The line should show just next to the card.
Step 3: Trim the fabric to 1/4" using the Add-a-quarter ruler.
Step 4: Place the second fabric, right sides together, lined up with the cut edge. Make sure there is a little fabric hanging over each edge and that the triangle is pointing in the direction that you see through the top of the paper.
Step 5: Sew ALONG the edge of the fold of the freezer paper, NOT on the paper.
Step 6: Finger press the fabric over and then press with an iron to the line between #2 and #3 sections.
Repeat steps 2 through 6 until you have the whole section finished.
My template sets have extra templates that are used to trim the section to the exact size you need to sew in the block. Peel the freezer paper off the pieced section and using the template, (place some rolled up tape on the back to keep it from sliding around) line it up on the points of the pieced section making sure that they are within the seam allowance. Trim around the template and your section is ready to sew!
Doesn't that look wonderful! No paper to tear off and the freezer paper is ready to go to make another section. I like to string piece 5 to 10 sections one right after the other as I sew on each section. That way they go together faster and I feel I have accomplished something when I get a group done!
I need to get back to awarding fabric bundles so here is the next fabric bundle from P&B that is up for grabs. It is another group from the Suede group. Please leave a comment as to what you think you might do with it. When I post the winner, I will show what I decided to do with it.
REMEMBER, I CAN NOT SEND YOU A MESSAGE IF YOU WON IF YOU DO NOT LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. DON'T MISS OUT. While you are leaving a message tell me what paper pieced pattern you have been wanting to do but have avoided because you didn't want to do all that work.
In closing; Always do what you love and love what you do. Toby Lischko
19 comments:
What a wonderful way to do paper piecing.I love the thought of not tearing paper off for hours. Thanks so much for the tutorial and as soon as I'm let out of the hospital I'm going to try it. As for the fabric,I have a swoon quilt I'm working on and I would us it in a couple of the blocks.
I've heard about this method of paper piecing, but have not tried it. If I were to win this bundle, I'd of course use them in a quilt - which pattern? I'm not sure, will have to do some thinking about that.
I love Geese on the Loose. I need to pull that pattern and template out.
I have taken this class before and every time I pull the pieces out to work on it I get confused. This definitely clears things up. Thanks Toby for the tutorial! It was soooo needed.
Interesting tutorial. I have not paper pieced yet but will be trying it in the future. I think I would like to make a gradient style quilt that resembles a sunset.
I've tried paper piecing before, but it makes me feel dyslexic. Your method looks like one I need to try. I've always wanted a pickle dish quilt.
I have not even considered a paper pieced quilt because of the peeling of the paper. (I've only done little cutesy things). Mariner's compass would be a might try for a quilt for me. I too get a little dyslexia going on with the paper piecing. Thanks for the tute it helps..
I have a pattern I bought a few years ago, but tried a little pp project first and it did not go well. I want to try again, so I might find a simple one and try your way. I want to make the pattern I bought.
Thank you for the pattern & FQ Bundle! I like trying patterns that challenge me and look forward to receiving my prize!
Paper Piecing is a challenge for me and so far have only done simple works. I do like how accurate the blocks come out.
Soooooooo, you've been giving away fabric and I missed it????? Crying big crocodile tears. Oh, I DO love me some FQs. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the tute.
My second quilt I ever tried was a paper pieced quilt. I was very ill at the time and I think I did all the sewing and had lots of help with the cutting and putting the boarders on. I also has to tear all that paper off. That was the hardest part for me. It took me and a couple long time quilters about 5 years to finish this quilt. I don't think I would do it that way again, but might think about trying your way, Toby.
I have never done this method of paper piecing but really would like to try it. If I won the fat quarters I would use them in a quilt but not sure what pattern I would use.
Toby - I've always been afraid of paper foundation quilting. this made it look so easy. I think it will be my goal for 2015 to become familiar with this technique
I think your method is pretty interesting. I will have to give it a try. If I won the beautiful fabrics, I would probably use them in my next quilt. Thank you for the giveaway and tutorial.
I like to do my paper piecing by folding back the paper also but I didn't think of using freezer paper! I'm going to try that! Beautiful fabrics for a table runner!
You're husband is computer illiterate?? I find that hard to believe because rumor is he has told people that he now knows how to use the Internet and loves to do nothing but research on it.
Smile, smile, smile at your mind as often as possible. Your smiling will considerably reduce your mind's tearing tension. See the link below for more info.
#tearing
www.ufgop.org
I love cute ideas that are so quik and easy to make.
I thought that you posted your Goose on the Loose just for me. Until I saw the original post date.
Kathy Stack
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