Foundation paper piecing is how quilters get razor-sharp points on blocks that would be miserable to piece traditionally — pineapples, sunbursts, tiny flying geese. Pre-printed foundation papers remove the tracing and the math entirely: sew on the printed line, trim, tear away, done. Linda's now stocks more than forty foundation paper products covering the classic blocks in multiple sizes.
Classic Block Foundations
Pineapple: Pineapple Foundation Sheets, plus dedicated 6″ and 12″ pineapple block pads.
Log Cabin family: 6″ and 12″ Log Cabin, and 6″ and 12″ Courthouse Steps.
Stars and vintage blocks: Woven Star in 4″, 6″, 8″ and 12″; Vintage Sunburst in 8″ and 12″; Milkmaid's Star in 6″ and 12″; Vintage Kite; Snail Trail in 6″ and 12″; Economy blocks in 6″ and 12″ Economy Plus; and Square-in-a-Square in 3″ and 4″.
Flying Geese: printed pads in 1.25″ x 2.5″, 1.5″ x 3″, 2″ x 4″ and 3″ x 6″.
Triangles on a Roll: Half-Square Triangles by the Foot
For quilts that need dozens or hundreds of identical half-square triangles, Triangles on a Roll prints continuous foundations on a 50-foot roll: layer two fabrics, sew on the lines, cut apart. Finished sizes run 1/2″, 1″, 1-1/2″, 2-1/2″, 2-3/4″, 3″, 3-1/2″, 4″, 5″ and 6″, plus a precut-friendly 1″ HST pad.
Scrap-Busting and Specialty Pads
Turn your scrap bin into blocks with the Scrappy Triangle and 3″ Scrappy Triangle pads, Scrappy Half-Rectangle Triangles, Scrappy Diamonds, and Scrappy Stars in 3″ and 6″. Jelly roll fans can braid strips on 5″ and 9″ Jelly Braid Paper, and designers can draft their own blocks on the 12″ blank foundation pad.
Corey's Tips for Paper Piecing
Shorten your stitch length to 1.5–1.8mm so the paper perforates cleanly and tears away without stressing seams. A dull 90/14 needle actually helps here. Press each seam before adding the next piece, and don't remove papers until the block is joined to its neighbors — the paper stabilizes bias edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is foundation paper piecing?
A technique where fabric is sewn directly onto a printed paper pattern, following numbered lines. The paper acts as both pattern and stabilizer, producing extremely accurate points, then tears away when the block is done.
Do I have to remove the paper afterward?
Yes, these foundations tear away after piecing. Sew with a short stitch length (around 1.5mm) and the perforated lines release cleanly. Leave papers in until blocks are joined for the most stable result.
What size should I start with?
Bigger is easier. A 12″ Log Cabin or Courthouse Steps foundation is a forgiving first project; save the 4″ Woven Star and tiny flying geese for when you've found your rhythm.
