- Description
- Requirements
Stability, precision, speed, and versatility. What more could you ask of a technique? No wonder it has become a basic tool for us. Jane shows you how to piece on top, underneath, and with single templates. You will learn how to use the foundation as a stitching guide without actually sewing into it. You will get 21 different block patterns but there is no project.
Skill level: beginner to advanced. It helps to have a basic familiarity with piecing and with your sewing machine. Rotary cutting is also an efficient way to work, but foundation piecing can be done with basic tools and can be sewn by hand if you wish.
OUTLINE
Part One
The basics
- Why we would use foundations
- Types of foundations
- Marking
- Fabric cutting
- Basic under pressed piecing: six sample blocks with patterns and directions
- Geese Over the Cabin - whole block
- Snail’s Trail - whole block
- Dutchman’s Puzzle - 2 equal segments
- Rambler - 3 diagonal segments
- Pinwheel - 4 equal segments
- Featherbone - 8 equal segments
Part Two
Two completely different foundation piecing techniques
- Top pressed piecing
- String block - simple random diagonal strings
- Crazy pieced block - randomly pieced shapes of fabric
- Single template piecing
- Hexagon Flower - all set-in seams.
- 8-Pointed Star - 8 diamonds
- Interlocked Squares - intertwined shapes, strips and triangles
- Rocky Road to Kansas - uses all 3 foundation techniques
Part Three
More complex designs
- Breaking blocks into irregular shapes
- Discuss coding foundations with colors and grain lines
- Learn about cutting templates for accurate fabric placement
- Choose from six blocks with patterns and directions
- Card Trick - 4 asymmetric segments
- The Palm - 2 diagonal segments, long skinny points
- Starry Path - 4 diagonal segments, single fabric cutting
- Dusty Miller - 8 segments, several techniques
- Delectable Mountains - 8 segments, skinny and fat
- Mariner’s Compass - 2 foundation techniques plus hand appliqué
Part Four
Completion
- Finishing touches
- joining blocks
- block-to-block
- with sashing
- Borders
- basics
- simple string
- crazy pieced
- Strip piecing designs, three blocks with patterns and directions
- Mock Log Cabin - 4-section strip pieced design
- Spiderweb - 8-section strip pieced block
- Crossroads - 8-pointed star strip pieced block
- Tweaks and variations to the basic foundation techniques
There are 21 different blocks in class. The string block in Lesson Two is 4"; all the rest are 6" square. You will be asked to make 2-3 blocks for each lesson, but may make as many others as you desire. All the 6" blocks will fit together so it will be easy for you to make a sampler quilt, tablerunner, wall hanging, tote bag or decorative vest.
- basic sewing supplies including sewing machine, thread, pins, scissors.
- rotary cutter, ruler, and mat, if desired
- pencil, eraser
- small ruler
- tracing paper
- freezer paper
Fabric: Scraps, strips, fat quarters; total of maybe 3-4 yards to make all the blocks
Note: Some blocks will use only two fabrics, others up to 5. If you are thinking about a coordinated project, I would suggest 1/2 yards of 3-4 medium and dark fabrics, scraps of light, and a yard of background. These can be prints, batiks, or a run of 6-8 hand dyed fabrics. This can be a scrap project.
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