Foundation Paper Piecing

Tools I use:
1 . Paper… most of the time I use printable freezer paper, but foundation paper or regular printer paper works just as well.
2. Lightbox… only neccessary if you're fussy cutting a lot.
3. Rotary cutter and Cutting mat… you can't have to many, pictured is a small rotating mat, but I have large mats on every table in my studio.
4. Good quality scissors… because ther's nothing worse than dull scissors :-)
5. Fabric glue pen… if you're using foundation or regualar printing paper. I prefer glue to pins.
6.Quilt rulers… there's tons of options, I use my 6" x 23" Omnigrid the most.
7. Thread… don't underestimate the importance of thread. I use Aurifil 50-weight thread. It's thin and strong and made of 100 % Egyption Mako cotton.
Step 1
After choosing your fabric for the block, you print or trace the pattern onto foundation or freezer paper ( regular paper works too, but foundation paper is thinner and makes it easier to remove the paper after sewing. Freezer paper gives you additional stability because you can iron on the fabric, that way it doesn't move while sewing. But its thicker and not as easy to remove afterwards).
Step 2
Now you cut out all the segments. I always lay them according to the numbered overview, it makes it easier for me to see what is what.
Step 3
Flip the pattern segment over so the unprinted side is facing you. Place a piece of fabric right side up, over section 1, making sure it's at least 1/4 " larger than section 1.
Then turn the segment as shown in the picture and hold it against light to make sure the fabric is positioned right. Iron (with freezer paper) pin or glue (washable textile glue) the piece of fabric in place.
Step 4
Place fabric for section 2 right sides together with piece 1, aligning the raw edges.
When you fold over fabric 2, it must be large enough to cover section 2 entirely plus at least 1/4 " around the paprameter of the section. (see picture)
Step 5
Sew along the dottet line. ( I just dotted the line for the photo, so its obvieous where to sew)
I always set my machine to 1,5 stitch length, or 16-18 stitches per inch ( thats really small). This will make it easier to remove the paper after you finished sewing.
Step 5 (second picture)
Sew along the dottet line.
Step 6
Open piece 2 so the right sides of the fabric are showing. Press now with the iron or finger press.
Step 7
Turn the segment so the printed side is facing you and place a notecard ( or postcard) on the stiching line to the next section. Then fold the paper over the edge of the card for a nice and crisp fold.
Step 7 ( second picture)
…
Step 8
Trim the seamallowance to 1/4" using a rotary cutter and an acrylic ruler. There's a ruler called 'Add a Quarter' which makes it really easy to cut the perfect seamallowances. But a regular ruler or just eye balling it, works just as fine.
Step 9
Cut the next piece of fabric, again so it covers at least 1/4 " more than section 3.
Note! the wrong side of the fabric is against the unprited side of the paper.
Now you place again the right sides of the fabrics together with the raw edges aligning and sew along the next line ( here it is section 1/2 against 3 , see fold)
Step 10
Add the remaining pieces of fabric in numerical order, using the same method in steps 6-9.

Step 11
Trim the segments along the 1/4" pattern edge. 
To finalize the block, sew the segments together as mentioned in the instructions.
If you've never done Foundation Paper Piecing before, and you want to try it out before buying expensive patterns, there's a free pattern in my shop the 'happy tree'  :-)
happy sewing :-)

You can also watch my tutorial video on you tube