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Tulips Block of the Month #11 Tutorial | Quilt Sew-Along (2020)

Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps

Debbie Shore's simple quilt block features an FPP tulip design.

What is Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP)? Foundation paper piecing (FPP) is a quilting technique where a design is printed onto paper, and fabric pieces are sewn directly onto the paper foundation. The fabric is added in a specific order, with each piece covering the marked sections of the pattern. The method of piecing is similar to the New York Beauty (June) foundation paper pieced block, but this time we'll be sewing in numbered order.

Foundation paper piecing uses more fabric than general piecing, so there will be wastage; however, you may be able to use up some of your smaller fabric pieces left over from previous blocks.

I’ve been generous in my cutting instructions to help those not so familiar with this technique in placing their fabric pieces. However, it’s a very accurate patchwork technique and your points will be sharp! Reduce your stitch length slightly when sewing the pieces together (this makes tearing away the paper template easier), and on each seam start and finish stitching two or three stitches into the seam allowance (I usually do a single back-tack at the start and finish, just to secure).

You’ll be making four identical units. Each unit consists of two Patterns, A and B, which will be sewn together before assembling the finished block.

Block size: 10in (25.5cm) square finished; 10½in (26.75cm) square unfinished.

Update 22/03/2021: Unfortunately there was an error in the materials list when this project went live; we are very sorry about this. Please know the first imperial measurement for Pattern A – "Four 4¾ x 1in" in PAT 2 (piece 1)" – should have been converted to "12 x 2.5cm". This has now been updated.

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You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine
• Rotary cutter and cutting mat
• Quilting ruler
• Iron
• Pins or temporary fabric glue

Materials

• Fabrics (see my Introduction to the 2020 Block of the Month). From these, you will need:
  For Pattern A –
  • Four 4¾ x 1in (12 x 2.5cm) in PAT 2 (piece 1)
  • Eight 4¾ x 2in (12 x 5cm) in PAT 2 (pieces 4 & 5)
  • Eight 1¼ x 4¾in (3 x 12cm) in Background Fabric (BG) (pieces 2 & 3)
  • Eight 4 x 3¾in (10 x 9.5cm) in BG (pieces 6 & 7)
  
  For Pattern B –
  • Four 2¼in (5.75cm) square in BG (piece 1)
  • Eight 1½in (4cm) squares in BG (pieces 4 & 5)
  • Eight 3½in (9cm) squares in BG (pieces 6 & 7)
  • Four 2¾ x 1¾in (7 x 4.5cm) in PL3 (piece 2)
  • Four 3½in (9cm) squares in PL3 (piece 3)

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