A Foundation Piecing Primer Part 5 Brenda Groelz completes her series on foundation piecing, a great method for piecing accurate points, odd angles and tiny pieces. In this issue, we've got a block made with lots of odd angles, and to make it more challenging, the background fabric is directional. Read through the following steps and tips to learn how to deal with the biggest hurdle in foundation piecing: Controlling the Flip! Then try your hand at piecing Pie in the Sky, an original design that Brenda created for you. A Cut foundation apart on bold lines into 2 foundation units and sew each foundation unit separately. Cut fabrics at least 1" larger all around than area to be covered. Place #1 fabric wrong side to unprinted side of foundation, directly behind the #1 position. Place #2 fabric right side to foundation, with seam allowance jutting at least 1/4" into the #2 position. Tip: The bulk of the fabric will be placed AWAY from the area it is planned to cover. Pin in place. Place Fabrics 1 & 2 B Turn foundation printed side up. Stitch on line between #1 and #2 positions, using short stitch length (15-18 stitches per inch). Start and end 2-3 stitches beyond the end of the line. Remove from machine and clip all threads. Note: From now on, all fabrics are placed right sides to the paper. Be sure to allow extra fabric beyond the edges of the paper foundation for seam allowance. Sew C Using scissors placed between paper and fabric, trim seam allowance to G? if needed. When adding light fabrics, trim dark fabrics narrower to avoid shadowing. Trim D Press seam allowance flat from fabric side, then flip tan fabric strip to cover #2 position and press again. Note: If you have photocopied the foundation, avoid touching the printed side with iron. Toner will melt and transfer to your iron and fabrics. Continue to place, stitch, trim, flip and press remaining fabrics in numerical order to finish foundation. Flip & Press E Note: Do not cut fabric along edge of paper! Turn foundation paper side up and align 1/4" mark of ruler along edge of paper foundation. Rotary cut away extra fabric on all sides, creating a perfect 1/4" seam allowance. Leave paper in! Trim Edges F Use 2 foundation units to complete one block. Lengthen stitch to normal (10-12 stitches per inch) and sew units together along edge of paper. Leave paper in until quilt has been assembled. Completed Units Sew Together