Quiltmaking for Beginners: Foundation Paper-piecing

Foundation Paper-piecing is a quilting technique that incorporates a paper pattern or template into the piecing of a quilt block or section of a quilt design. The beauty of paper-piecing is accuracy. Complex quilt designs become easier to construct. You’ll have perfect points! Later, tear the paper off the completed quilt block.

Making these beginner-friendly quilt blocks is a great way to start your paper-piecing journey. (We will first learn the technique by piecing a Flying Geese block, then we’ll move on to a charming Sailboat block.) With your newly constructed quilt blocks, you can decide whether to turn them into a pillow cover, a table runner, or a small quilt. Whatever it is, it will be accurate and lovely.

You need to bring your own sewing machine to class and know how to use it. You need to know how to properly thread your sewing machine and sew a straight line.

Registration Includes…

Instruction and fabrics are provided. Students will go home with an understanding of the paper-piecing process and its value for accurate piecing. Students will complete a simple Flying Geese quilt block to learn the technique, then construct a charming Sailboat block to use as a pillow cover, incorporate into a table runner, or use as the beginning of a small quilt.

What goes into our class pricing? As a local nonprofit, Duluth Folk School is committed to supporting both our instructors and community. We want to compensate our instructors fairly, keep class sizes small, and keep our doors open—while also keeping prices as low as we can.

Thank you for participating in our local handcraft and education economy! Together, we help keep Duluth a fun and vibrant place.

Student Requirements

• Skill Level/Prerequisite Skills: You need to bring your own sewing machine to class and know how to use it. You need to know how to properly thread your sewing machine and sew a straight line.
• Best for Ages: 18 and older
• You should bring:
  • Sewing machine in good working order with a new 80/12 Topstitch needle and an open-toe foot attachment – don’t forget the foot control and power cord
  • A 45 mm Rotary Cutter & 6″ x 12″ rotary cutting ruler (Instructor will provide the cutting mats)
  • A 12″ Add-a-Quarter ruler
  • A spool of 50 weight quality thread (100% cotton or poly/cotton blend) in beige or gray
  • Paper-cutting scissors
  • Fabric-cutting scissors
  • Thread clips
  • A seam ripper

(NOTE: Please know how to use your sewing machine – the instructor will not teach you how to use it or how to fix it.)

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