Modern Quilting
Inspirational projects and educational tutorials.
The classic method used to english paper piece is often the use of a cardstock paper template. The paper template is thread basted to a piece of fabric, then the pieces are stitched together. Once complete the basting stitches are cut and the paper is torn out.
For this tutorial I will be teaching a slightly alternative method. We will be using an appliqué foundation for our templates. The pre-cut kits include the templates pre-cut out of the appliqué foundation and can be purchased at Purple Daisies, LLC. If you have not ordered the kits you can try to look for a foundation or interfacing from your local shops that is made to stay in and wash away. Then cut the included templates from the foundation.
What is unique about the appliqué foundation is that it can stay in your pieces forever. If you take a little water and dab it on the foundation you will see that the fibers break down. When washed in a quilt the fibers in the foundation just blend into the quilt. There is no bunching, and it doesn’t affect your quilt at all.
Since this is a sew-in product, we will be basting the pieces with a washable glue stick as opposed to thread basting. Elmer’s Washable School Glue is a starch product (you know how I love starch). It is an absolute staple in my sewing room. It will never harm your fabric and washes right out. I use glue for my bindings, zippers, piecing tough points, etc. The key to using the glue is to ALWAYS heat set the glue with a hot dry iron before moving forward.
In this lesson I have included four video’s. Glue Basting, Hand Piecing, Machine Piecing, and Hand Stitching the Diamond Carat to the BG fabric. You can watch all 4 videos below. The techniques that are used in the Glue Basting, Hand Piecing, and Machine Piecing videos were done on the Chev N’ Hex block but apply to the Diamond Carat Block as well. Please refer to the Block Lesson #4 PDF download for further instructions.
My name is Alyssa Williams, I live in sunny Prescott Valley, AZ. I am a front end developer and avid sewist. I write modern quilting tutorials and share techniques and inspiration here at Pile O’ Fabric. Learn more…
Alyssa Williams
Creator of Pile O' Fabric
Alyssa Lichner is a graphic designer turned avid sewist. She writes modern quilting tutorials and shares techniques and inspiration on her blog, Pile O’ Fabric. Alyssa has a passion for exploring different techniques and applying them to modern designs. She is thankful to have the opportunity to share these techniques, through her tutorials, patterns, and classes with quilters around the world. She always encourages her readers and students to challenge themselves to try new things and to approach quilting with a fearless attitude.