Class Information:
Finished Size Block 6 ¼”
Unfinished Size Block 6 ¾”

Supplies: Each student will be required to have a copy of their own pattern. Purchase your patterns from the place you are signed up to take the class. If you are taking this class through a guild or you can’t get the pattern through the shop then the patterns can be purchased online at www.quiltworx.com. I would suggest that you purchase the pattern about 3 or 4 weeks prior to class so you have time to read instructions, organize your fabrics, make your templates and cut out your pieces.

Paper Piecing Supplies Required for Class: Items marked with an * are required for class.

*12” Add-a-Quarter Ruler
**Scotch Tape
**UHU Washout fabric glue stick
*Flower Pins
**Large Ziploc Bags
**Small Ziploc Bags
*Purple Thang
*Size 70 sewing needles are the best size to use with newsprint.
*High quality cotton thread

General Supplies for Class:

*Steam Iron Optional: Maybe bring one to share.
*Ironing Pad Optional: Maybe bring one to share.
*6” by 24” ruler
**Medium size cutting board
**Small Scissors
**Rotary cutter with a new sharp blade
**Seam Ripper
**Extension Cord
**Surge Protector

Template plastic: It is always nice to have an extra sheet of template plastic for class, a good working sewing machine that you know how to use, and a quarter-inch foot for your machine.

General Information: This class is 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 prior to class, class will be much more relaxing. You will enjoy the time you will have to focus on learning about foundation paper piecing. I teach a traditional approach to paper piecing. I will be teaching you the benefits of foundation paper piecing using the Crown of Thorns pattern. This pattern includes four units, the New York Beauty, a star block with twenty points built in a four patch setting, a pieced arc designed for strip piecing with foundation paper, and a pieced border unit designed for spikes and fabric strips. Curved piecing will also be demonstrated in class. If your fabric is cut out, each student will have the opportunity to finish at least two (2) foundation pieces for each Unit A, B, and D. Then if you choose the strip piecing method for Unit C you should be able to finish six (6) Unit C arcs. The units are listed in the instructions. Read the instructions before class. If you don’t understand them don’t worry about it but please try to read them.

If you come to class with a basket of fabrics, no templates and no pattern, you will spend your time making templates, cutting fabric, and watching everyone else sew. Please come to class prepared with your templates, and fabric pieces cut out and ready for class.

Templates: On page 2, in the instructions for the Crown of Thorns it tells you how to make your templates. Make these templates before class. You need them before class to cut out your fabric pieces.

Yardage: Yardage requirements are listed on the back page of the pattern. It does not matter what size you choose to make as long as you are happy. You may want to consider purchasing a fabric kit. Have your fabrics pre-cut and ready for class. 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, and make the quilt. This works for me as well. I will bring extra papers with me to class. If you decide to only make practice blocks you will need to replace some of the foundation papers that you used from your pattern. The pages can be replaced for $1.00 per page.

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 make sure you trim the excess paper from around the foundation units to about 1/8” past the outside cutting line.

Follow the Cutting Instructions Below: I am offering you two options with your cutting instructions. Option one is the least confusing and when you are done you will be organized to finish the whole quilt. Option two will save you a little time up front but then after class you will need to go back home and reorganize your work.

Option One: Follow the cutting instructions in the pattern. Cut out the whole quilt and bag up the papers, templates and fabric pieces prior to class. The cutting instructions are found on pages 2, 3, 4 and 5. If you are using the cutting instructions in the pattern please choose the strip piecing method for the C-Units. It is much faster to build these units with strips of fabric than to use the wedges.

Option Two: Follow the cutting instructions that are listed on the next page. This is enough fabric to work with for each of the templates and units in class. After class you can go home and finish cutting out the quilt or start over with new colors. If you are insecure with your choice of fabrics and want me to help with color selection,, this may be the best way for you to get ready for class.

Unit A: Spikes:
Template-A1 and Template-A3: Dark Background Fabric: Cut one (1) strip 4” by 42” wide. Stack and crosscut the strip into three 4” x 12” rectangles. Position the templates as shown in the graphic layout on page 3, for Templates A1 and A3. Cut out your pieces.
Template-A2: Blended Spike Fabrics: Use Template-A2 and cut at least 20 pieces from the fabrics chosen for your spikes. If you are cutting strips from several fabrics, cut the strips. 6” wide.
Melon Fabrics: Cut three 4” squares. Use the Melon Template and cut 3 melons from the 4” squares. I will demonstrate this in class so you can wait on this piece if you want.

Unit B: Spikes: Bag 2:
Template-B1 and B2: Background Fabric: Cut one (1) strip 5-1/2” by 42” wide. Stack and crosscut the strip into three (3) 5-1/2 x 12” rectangles. Follow the cutting diagram on page 4, in your instructions for Template B1 and B2. Stack the three rectangles and cut as instructed in the pattern.
Blended Spike Fabrics: Cut 6” strips from each of the fabrics chosen for the spikes. Stack and crosscut the strips into 1-1/2” sections. One 6” strip yields 28 pieces.

Unit C: Bag 3:
Strip Piecing: Blended Spike Fabrics: Cut one (1) 2” strip across the grain line 42” wide from each of the eight (8) fabrics chosen for the arcs. Cut these strips in half making two (2) 2” by 20” strips from each of the eight (8) colors chosen for your rings. Note: The strip piecing is the faster and easiest way to make the arcs. I highly recommend using strips for the C-Units instead of the little wedges.

Center Template: Dark Background Fabric: Bag 5: Cut two (2) 7” squares from your dark background fabric. Use the center template and cut out four (4) pieces.

Note: Remember you are taking this class to learn several paper piecing techniques and sewing skills. You will not finish this a quilt in class.

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