General Information: This is a two-day class designed to introduce you to the simplicity of foundation paper piecing. If you come to class prepared having all your templates, fabrics, borders and papers cut out, class will be much more relaxing and you will enjoy the time you will have to focus on learning about foundation paper piecing and what it really has to offer.

I teach a traditional approach to paper piecing which uses templates for precutting your fabric pieces. In this class, you will be working with a pattern called Arrowhead Crossing. Each student should be able to finish at least one sample of each of the following units A, B, S, D and E. The units are listed in the instructions. Please read the instructions before class. If you don’t understand them, don’t worry; we will go over them in class.

Note: If you come to class with a basket of fabrics, no templates and no pattern, you will spend the first day making templates, cutting fabric, and watching everyone else sew. Please come to class prepared with your templates, and fabric pieces cut out for this class. There is lots to learn and lots to sew.

Pre-Class Instructions: Each student will be required to have a copy of their own pattern. The pattern can be purchased through most local quilt shops. I would suggest that you purchase the pattern a few weeks prior to class so you have time to read instructions, organize your fabrics, make your templates and cut out your pieces.

When you come to class you should have a bag with fabric strips or pieces for each of the following units:
Unit S: Stars, Page 4.
Unit A: Arcs, Page 5.
Unit Arrowhead Units, Page 6 & 7.
B: Background, Page 8.
Unit B: Border, Page 8.
Unit E: Border, Page 9.

Templates: In the instructions I explain how to make your templates. Please make these templates before class. You need them to cut out your fabric pieces.

General Supply List: 12” Add-a-quarter ruler [The 12” ruler is very important for this class], Scotch tape, large and small Ziploc bags, Purple Thang, 6” by 12” ruler, medium size cutting mat, rotary cutter with a new blade, size 70 needles, scissors, seam ripper, surge protectors, extension cords, fabric glue stick (UHU if possible), high-quality cotton sewing thread, flower pins, template plastic, working sewing machine.

Yardage: Yardage requirements are listed on the back page of the pattern. Some women like to cut out just enough fabrics to make a couple samples of each unit. Then they can learn the process, go home later to build the quilt. This works for me as well. I will bring extra papers with me to class. This way if you decided to only make practice blocks you can replace the foundation papers that you used from your pattern. If kits are available for this quilt, you may want to consider purchasing a fabric kit.

Foundation Papers: You only need to cut out a couple papers for each unit. I will be showing you a very easy way to stack and trim your papers in class. If you choose to cut all your papers before class this is fine. The papers should be trimmed about 1/8” past the outside cutting line. If they are not trimmed to 1/8” I will have you re-trim in class. It is much easier to sew on the foundation units with precut fabric pieces when the excess paper is removed from around the outside trim lines.

Cutting Instructions for Class: This quilt is not a hard quilt to make. In fact, you will find it to be quite simple once you understand the piecing techniques we will go over in class. This quilt will take you more than a few hours to cut out. It has a lot of pieces. You will also have many hours of sewing into completing this quilt but when it is done, it is a masterpiece and you will love it. The cutting charts for each unit in your instructions tell you what size strips and how many strips to cut from each fabric. The charts also tell you how many pieces are needed to complete all the papers for each of the units. Please follow the instructions and cut out enough fabric pieces to complete at least two of each unit. You do not need to cut out the whole quilt prior to class but if you want, feel free to do so. Place the foundation papers, templates and fabric pieces into the bags as listed on page 3.

Note: When I cut out quilts that require lots of strips, I go through the pattern and cut all the strips first for each of the templates. Then I place the strips into a large bag along with each template, and the foundation papers. After all the strips are cut for the whole quilt I go back and crosscut the strips into the pieces needed to complete the foundation units.

The following applique items will be demonstrated in class.
Basting Glue
Rinse-A-Way
Fast Tube Foot
Bias Bars

If you have any questions regarding this class, please contact your instructor directly. Contact information for Judy and her Certified Instructors is available on our website at http://quiltworx.com. Please include your correct email address, phone number, and name. You may also want to check out our website www.quiltworx.com and our facebook page quiltworx.com prior to selecting fabrics. There are many samples, slide shows, and color-changing quilts available for you to enjoy. We also have corrections and helpful hints posted for most of the patterns we have published.

Judy Niemeyer and the Certified Instructors