Foundation Paper Piecing - how to

Karen Johnson, of Connecting Threads, teaches you the most common version of Foundation Piecing - usually known as Paper Piecing. Achieve perfect points on tiny blocks with just a few easy tips.

[@ediedarlene4674]

I've seen tons of paper piecing tuts in my journey to figure out how to pp and this tut is by far the best one I've seen, she's very thorough and explains each step, love it. I watch it as a refresher before I begin any pp project.

[@hsmith4457]

i watched this years ago and finally found it again because truly this is the best tutorial i've seen for paper piecing! thank you Karen for sharing this wonderful technique!! :)

[@kab4292]

Good tutorial however it would have been nice to see it through to the end and show you ripping the paper away and show the final piece

[@andreaabramson54]

kitchen windows

[@garretthmg]

This makes me think that I can actually do this! Thanks!!

[@morganmcgowan5110]

This is the most helpful video I’ve found! Working on my very first quilt - thanks for how detailed and slow you went, repeating the confusing parts several times. I feel good about getting started now!

[@EuphemiaGrubb]

This is by far the best tutorial on paper piecing I have ever seen! So straight forward and clearly explained. Thank you.

[@karenwescott2615]

Wow! You actually made this make sense! I am a new sewer and this is my first time using paper piecing. I was getting super frustrated trying to read the directions on my project. I watched a few how-to's and was still trying to grasp the concert. I am soooo glad to have found your tutorial! Thank you for taking the time to make this video and giving such amazingly thorough yet easy to understand instructions! I'm sure I'm not going to be a pro but at least I have a little more confidence to be able to start my project! Thank you so much!

[@jillhagler941]

Thanks! This is the 1st video I've seen that clearly explains this. :)

[@marykowalski7349]

Thank you for this tutorial and for showing how to fix an inevitable error with scotch tape.

[@jeannefischer6029]

This is an excellent demonstration. Thank you. Much better than reading directions in a book. I appreciate the friendly, humble style and reference to fixing a mistake!

[@kathywebber1093]

This is a great tutorial for me so decided to show my mum as we both have a paper piecing Xmas tree to make. HOWEVER, as she is profoundly deaf I turned the sound off to see what it would be like for her? I thought it was very difficult to work out what was being done & then discovered that there were sub titles. Great I thought, 10 minutes later I couldn't stop laughing because the subtitles were so terrible. Look at it your self & see if you would be able to work out what is actually being said, then turn your sound back on & read whilst listening!! Is there anyway of getting a transcript??

[@LaundryFaerie]

I can transcribe subtitles on Amara. amara.org/en/videos/wzQhT5mTGUfu/en/2038386/

[@jysung]

I like how frank you are, calling yourself sloppy and lazy. I guess that means I can do it too :D

[@rendaweidler5712]

Wow, I've avoided paper piecing because I thought I could never figure it out. Now I wanna stop commenting so I can go try it!!!

[@cassielavallee389]

First tutorial I have found that explains which side of the fabric is placed against the backside of the printed pattern. THANK YOU! (I paid for a subscription to bluprint [craftsy] and not one explains this.)

[@heidibraun5594]

Cassie Lavallee Angela Waters tutorial does tell you this.

[@amberghini]

Thank you so much for this paper piecing tutorial. It's the best I've ever seen. The fact that you explain everything wonderfully, AND do something more complicated than four pieces really, really helped me. I cannot thank you enough.

[@janewandless6036]

I always have trouble with accuracy cutting pieces individually. Your tutorial completely changed my attitude to piecework. It was so easy to follow and I 'sewed along'! Thank you!

[@clark1233]

Oh my goodness YOU ARE AWESOME!! I was so scared of paper piecing until your U Tube video!! I did it and its so GREAT!! And you are so right the first step gets you started. Thank you for being so CLEAR and EASY! I had to order my quarter ruler from ebay THANK YOU AGAIN

[@patstrawhouse4005]

I’m just beginning foundation paper piecing. I was confused re orientation of the right side/wrong side of the fabric. For the first piece of fabric: ‘Wrong side of pattern to wrong side of fabric’. Brilliant! Now I’ll never forget! Thank you So Much for your great instructions! ON 🇨🇦

[@marybuchanan6205]

I really liked your video and clear instructions. I proceeded with my project to piece a small but complex section of a quilt I’m working on. I was so proud of my work. BUT… when I took the paper off, everything was BACKWARDS. I took a look at another video and it mentioned at the start to be sure to reverse the printed pattern so it would finish correctly. I WISH YOU HAD MADE THAT CLEAR in your video! The design in your video is not directional and so you didn’t need to reverse it. But others’ would be, like my own. Now I’m starting over again. 😩

[@anneplympton2757]

Very good tutorial,I will go back to it again for reference,it was bothering me how to do it. Thank you

[@ConnectingThreadsOfficial]

Much appreciated Anne!

[@rolladollisious]

I really like your method of teaching. You are organized, clear, and calm. Thank you for helping me understand this process better!

[@barbvest1834]

Thank you so much for making paper piecing make more sense to me … I watched 4 other KZbinr try and explain paper piecing.. yours 👍 is the only video that made sense❤.. I now have the courage to jump into this new challenge.. 😊

[@angelikaimnaehglueck]

The first time i used the fpp technic i thought "oh, no, to complicate". But today i love it.

[@franniephelps6062]

OMG!!! This is the first tutorial that made sense to me. Thank you so much. You explained everything very well for me to go off and do my project.

[@aliceveenema]

I've never quilted before, but wanted to try. I found your tutorial and went ahead with fantastic results! Thanks so much!

[@weeblesue]

I would greatly appreciate a shot of the finished piece. Thanks for making foundation piecing so easy to understand!

[@super0chick]

Thank you for your video especially when you made the mistake and rectified them. That's a learning experience for a lot of us. Looks fun and definitely will have to buy the quarter ruler. where did you buy it? I looked at Michaels and hobby lobby but they didn't have them.

[@DH-qz2so]

Joann's Fabrics has them

[@cameliawilks2049]

Where can I buy the 1/4” ruler ? I’ve looked, but can’t find one. Maybe I don’t know what it’s called. Thanks.

[@pamhall595]

Brilliant but I want to buy one of the quarter inch rulers Karen uses but don't know where to get one. Any ideas anyone please!

[@teresacole3915]

How Well Put Easy Directions Thanks ... And where to get paper piceing paterns

[@janivarsson2913]

Great presentation. Thank you for making a mistake. It was very helpful to know how to fix a problem.

[@EuphemiaGrubb]

Thank you for this - I love you're calm no hyper personality. But I've got to say that rabbit gives me the heebeegeebees!

[@mpedals]

a new tool,,,,,,,,,,,,,who doesnt like that, lol,,,tks for the great video and lovely directions,,,

[@asifashiq3172]

So nice of you it's a Great video I love it so much support each other

[@susan102358]

Thank you very much for this video. I have been wanting to learn how to do foundation paper piecing, but it was confusing before. You made it look very easy and I will be trying soon!

[@lizrondelle8830]

Thank you. Clear directions are appreciated! I got a pattern with lots of little pieces….ended up enlarging the pattern on a xerox machine to make it a little easier….

[@ndlwmn]

There's nothing in this tutorial about pressing one's fabric - don't you have to press it???

[@cherylwinings4684]

Best tutorial I've seen on paper piecing. Thank you

[@theresaatkinson6628]

Very well explained and helpful! Thanks!

[@muckitymucked8958]

Wonderful explanation. I am no longer afraid of the mysterious paper piecing method. Thank you.

[@Pinuch12]

Once your block is done do you remove paper or sew it with another block that has the foundation paper still in?

[@beccab888]

Thanks for a great tutorial! This really helped me with my first paper piecing project!

[@cinnalouwinna]

What a great tutorial! Exactly what I was looking for!

[@melanievarela4048]

Thank you for this. Piece #1 was driving me crazy. I'll keep this in my play list for future reference.

[@mariadelpilarm.7545]

Melanie Varela Hello Melanie! Where did you get the pattern? Thanks for your answer!

[@kellyhayes]

I would love to know the pattern too

[@evelynelliott4485]

Use a tracing wheel to perforate your paper. It folds easily and tears away easily also.❤

[@loves2spin2]

Thank you. Now I understand. I was about to tear my hair out!

[@mhegardt]

Best explanation I've seen so far!

[@severinedecker7066]

Hello, what is the name of the little yellow rule to cut always the same amoutn of fabric?

[@posyfab]

Thanks for the great video. You answered my questions and made it look easier.

[@zrahmadhani]

thank u very very much... help me so much.... thanks a lot...

[@clark1233]

Love your video and I will try it this weekend. You make it seem so easy

[@chloegrl1366]

I only see add a quarter plus on amazon and a pink ruler? Not sure if these are the same?

[@carolmcdermott9791]

the best video for this!!! thank you very much!

[@anastasiababe6816]

Great tutorial. What size needle and stitch length?

[@romydave1]

I've always wondered, "why paper piece anyway?" and you answered that....you said for smaller pieces, paper piecing makes sewing small pieces much much easier to manage. Great job here... I like your clear instruction, you showed us an easy mistake I am sure all of us will make, and how to handle it....so far your tutorial has been the best I've viewed. Thank you!

[@marygavin6293]

can you use spray adhesive instead of pinning

[@shaynacannon8602]

Thank you so much for this video! I have watched several videos on paper piecing because I'm about to dive into a project and had no idea what I was doing. It didn't click until I saw your video the other videos either spent a ton of time on products they wanted to advertise for use with paper piecing or made things seriously complicated but yours was straight and to the point. I feel a lot more confident about my decision to take on a paper piecing project now.

[@dkrzyston8485]

Thank you for the great tutorial on paper piecing. You were direct and gave guidance without any silly chatting. You showed to you scotch tape if you had to ripe out a seam. Using the postcard idea and the 1/4” trimmer.🐝

[@traceyhagerbaumer7722]

Thank you so much for your detailed information! It finally made sense to me 😊🧵✂️

[@dorothyclausen306]

Where can u get the quarter inch ruler like your thank you

[@anitacharlton5662]

I love your teaching and voice - so good ❤

[@drmichaelelinski6992]

Hello. I love your clear, concise, easy to follow videos. I wish I could follow along with you as I do a whole quilt. That would be pleasant and would give me more of a feeling of growing toward self sufficiency in paper piecing. I could learn from your mistakes, like you demonstrated here. It would be like learning in a classroom setting. My biggest problem with paper piecing is that kits I like are discontinued or not found as a complete set. I am looking for complete quilt sets because I cannot get to a quilt store to pick out all of my own fabrics. I’d like a kit that is all matched up and packed as a set. Where on the Internet can I find complete paper piecing kits with all of the papers, instructions, and fabrics for the entire project? On most sites, only part of the kit is sold, and the remainder, such as all the outer and border fabrics are not included. It’s too risky buying these fabrics online by pictures of fabrics. My nearest fabric stores are too far and not adequate. It seems like when paper piecing first became noticeable to me, there were complete kits sold on various sites, such as Quiltworx.com, Judy Niemeyer.com, CarolDoak.com, etc.... nowadays, these sites are not reliably stocked with complete kits. Could you please help direct me a websites, where I can locate complete paper-piecing kits with everything I need, where fabrics have been chosen and coordinated and pre-packaged in several color ways? My email is: [e-mail]. I would be so grateful if you could help get me started off again by finding a large or medium selection of paper-pieced kits in their complete packaged form. I thank you in advance for any help you could provide me, to get me off and running. Also, if you know of various stores located around the country, I’d live to have a list like that, where I know I could find complete kits. I could not thank you enough, if you could help me connect to stores or online shops to find these remade kits. With much gratitude, Dr Michael J Elinski

[@rubberstamperjo]

Thank you so much for this video. I finally understand paper piecing. I'm excited to find a pattern to work with.

[@SaiyanMother]

Thank you for this video. The tips were easy to remember and I was able to make my first FPP project last night after watching your tutorial.

[@jlskphd]

This is a great video - *love* the folding over tip, though I'm using copy paper instead of vellum, so a birthday card has better body than a magazine subscription card, for this thicker paper. It also somehow helps me keep my place, looking for wherever I trimmed last, to start back on the next step. Definitely one of the best tips!

[@pyrietje]

Can you use the foundation paper also for hand sewing or is it only for machine sewing? thank you!

[@kellyhayes]

I don't see any reason why you couldn't sew it by hand!

[@tinabarton2938]

Thank you so much. I have never done paper piecing before. Your tutorial was excellent.

[@NannaLiz]

How do you position the paper if the pattern is not symmetrical? If you put wrong side of paper to wrong side of fabric, everything will be reversed. Do you flip the paper so that you are stitching on the back side? The lines are fainter, but you can still see them.

[@annelieserochester4993]

If you like a certain pattern for a quilt block that is not meant for paper piecing, but you want to use the PP method, how do you decide in which sequence the individual pieces are added?

[@slc393]

thank you you have made things so easy

[@mariadelpilarm.7545]

This is lovely child's paper piecing pattern! Congratulations! It's beautiful. I would like to give it a try, would you please tell me where to get it? Maybe you have it ? THANK you!

[@quiltmekiwi]

Nice tutorial. I trim my 1/4 inch AFTER I have stitched my line, is there a reason you cut before?

[@LulingCarRally]

Wow! This was terrific. you even showed us how to correct for mistakes. I was so intimidated by the lack of instructions about what paper piecing is, and so I have never done it. Your video has given me incentive to try it. And, I won't be scared when I screw it up. And, I know I will. Thanks!

[@margeb8480]

Thanks this is a vert good tutorial

[@kChallo]

It...is quick turn -sewing!!

[@michellecharles6324]

Fantastic video!! Very informative. Didn’t waste time with a bunch of unnecessary talk. Gets right to the information you need! Well done and great camera work also so that we can see the details!! 😃

[@Trayne1837]

Where can we get this piece pattern?

[@evaveva7200]

this is the first time i've seen a tutorial that explained perfectly WHY i would want to buy an "add a 1/4" ruler. after watching this tut, i watched another where they cut the 1/4" seam allowance off using a regular cutting ruler - and i thought...oh how cumbersome!! excellent tutorial by the way!!!

[@marjorieshanks3611]

wow- this is super difficult!

[@karenb5613]

great video! thank you so much:) I would love to find the pattern you are using. Where could I buy it from? thanks so much:)

[@maureenkerr8360]

I loved this.... a few light bulb moments that's for sure !!! I've wanted to know how to do this for ages......thank you Karen, now I know.

[@ShortieGotzStyle]

were did you get your cutter ? :)

[@kChallo]

How about the curve line?

[@gmtegirl]

Thank you. I love the way you explain things. Simply and effectively. Well done.

[@yolandarosacolon4539]

Where can i get the paper piecing

[@patriciapolmanteer3586]

Thank you.. I have watched several different videos about foundation paper piecing and I think yours is the best. I recommend that anyone that wants to learn this watch this video. Thank you

[@KathyPenrod]

Excellent instructions. No longer intimidated by this technique! Thank you!

[@dianejmeyer]

This is great! I watched two other videos and still didn't understand how to do foundation piecing. I loved that there was a mistake and how to work with it.

[@Bonnibell1]

First paper piecing tutorial that I could follow. Thank you for making it much easier...

[@edieballard8816]

I was interested in learning to paper piece and my friend suggested this tutorial. I watched many many tut's and by far, this is the best tutorial I've seen on paper piecing. Before I even tried to begin I ordered the add a quarter ruler; I now own every size offered. Thank you so much for taking time to do this tutorial. I recommend it to everyone!!!!!

[@yogagirlnh]

Thank you so much! For years I've shyed away from foundation piecing because the instruction videos were confusing. Yours was simple and I made my first perfect block based on these instructions.

[@elleh9381]

Thank you so much. I watched this video at least 12 times and I finally got it. I love this technique. I do believe all of my blocks will be foundation pieced from now on. Just amazing... You are a genious.

[@CherylCosta-dd5bh]

What ruler did you use?

[@SunVegan]

So, does straight of grain or bias matter at all with this style? Beginner attempting to understand. Thanks

[@DarlaHussey]

Technically, no. However, many fabrics are directional (i.e. have a design or weave that looks different from different angles) and then it would matter. An extreme example is stripes, but many patterns are far more subtle.

[@SunVegan]

Darla Hussey Thanks!

[@KimORourke2111]

Thank you so much for this. I started learning this method in a workshop and having now come to finish the project 3 weeks later I couldn't remember for the life of me how to do it. I think I've now cracked it and my stars are taking shape! :-)

[@candiscola3450]

Thank you for a great tutorial! I hunted KZbin and blogs for paper piecing tutorials but this was the absolute best!

[@jrowlove7328]

Very confusing.

[@cindyandrews3185]

Excellent tutorial.

[@rsi8314759]

Thank you for this easy to follow tutorial. Your instructions were so helpful and I appreciate you showing us when you made mistakes and how to correct them.

[@tosea77]

Thank you...you answered a big question I had--"Why paper piecing?"!