Foundation paper piecing tutorial

With the surge in machine quilting, many home sewing machine manufacturers have attempted to build their own version of a longarm machine with very mixed results.

Quilters on one side of the iron insist, “Always press toward the dark fabric!” The other side chants, “Always press to reduce bulk!” As a quilt piecer, I want it all—I don’t want my dark colors showing through my light fabrics; I want my patchwork to be accurate and I want it to be flat. But as a longarm quilter, eliminating bulky intersections that can break needles or distort quilting lines tops the list.

The best solution for billowy blocks would be to take the quilt apart and adjust the piecing as necessary. However, that’s an option that isn’t a top priority once the borders are on and our minds are already on our next project.

This is the first article in a new series we’re launching about quilt judge expectations and solutions to the most commonly cited areas for improvement.