Introduction
When planning projects, I have always been drawn to fairly intricate designs, and over the years, I have experimented with a number of techniques to achieve the results I want. Foundation paper piecing is hands down my favorite way of getting a grip on those little pieces and making sure my points stay pointy! I am very excited to have put together this collection of foundation-pieced projects from some of the most talented modern designers.
Foundation piecing can seem quite daunting, especially some of the more complex pictorial blocks. Such blocks can be made up of numerous pieces, which are difficult to keep track of. Then there are the dilemmas of which fabrics to use so the block has a modern feel and what to do with the block once you have made it! To ease you into paper piecing, I have provided an extensive introductory chapter on how to paper piece, and the individual designers share their valuable tips on how to use fabric placement and embellishment to give foundation and freezer paper piecing a modern edge.
The designs in this book range in difficulty and complexity. The calendar quilt is presented in the first half, with paper-pieced designs for each month, along with companion projects that use the same monthly design. Some of the more straightforward, geometric designs are a great starting place for getting your feet wet with paper piecing. After you are warmed up, some of the more intricate, pictorial designs will tempt and challenge you! And because sewing should serve a practical purpose, while also being fun, each paper-pieced design has an accompanying usable project.
Because foundation piecing can be a time-consuming process, the projects are mostly small and are designed to inspire you to consider how to include paper piecing in all your sewing projects. We want your paper-pieced projects to be finished and not relegated to the growing work-in-progress (WIP) pile!
Many thanks go to the talented designers who participated in this book. You all are a great inspiration to me, and I am very proud to have been able to work with you.
COMPILER’S NOTE
The online quilting world is a wonderful resource for inspiration and ideas. Below are some useful links to get you started. You can join and see what other quilters have done using the paper-piecing designs in this book, and also share your work. It’s fun!