alwaysquilting
judysew4th
knitsnquilts
ladybirdee
Last year we made a patchwork bag for a special birthday . We have had several requests for the instructions with the French Braid instructions provided back in November .
The following instructions are for the paper-pieced Crocus block pictured.
For purposes of instruction I have made a 6” block and used a printed block illustrating the numbered sewing order from my EQ7 program.
I also have pre-cut the fabrics adding ¾” to the square patch. The triangles are achieved by cutting a rectangle ¾” larger than the widest point.
Eight blocks were required for the Crocus Flower strip. You can create all the blocks for foundation piecing following the directions from our blog Making Quick Foundations for Paper Piecing.
The 50wt. Aurifil thread is being used in black so the stitching is easy to see.
Important Note. All the fabric is placed on the unmarked side of the paper. Your numbered side is the side of the paper you will see when sewing.
Place patch #1 and #2 with right sides together . Center these over the area mark #1 making sure you have a seam allowance on all sides. You can use large pieces of fabric until you become comfortable with the foundation technique. 
Your seam allowances can be trimmed to ¼” after each addition is sewn if needed. Sew on line beginning a few stitches outside the patch line.
Patch #2 and seam allowance
Press fabric open.
Patch #3 ready to press
Place fabric for #3 right sides together and stitch as before.Press the fabric open checking the seam allowance as before.
Continue placing the patches in numerical order, right sides together; checking seam allowances; stitching; trimming seam allowances to ¼” until all the patches have been added .
Patch #4 cut rectangle
Patch #4 cut rectangle for a triangle patch
Patch #5 cut same size as patch #4
Patch #5 pressed open
Sew Patch #6 check seam allowances
Seam allowances will be trimmed to 1/4″
Patch #7 cut rectangle
Patch #7 pressed open
Patch is placed on diagonal
Patch #9 Alternate method
Patch is sewn and seam allowance trimmed
I cut my rectangles 3/4″ larger than the widest part of the triangle I am creating. If unsure of the placement of the rectangle, place straight pins through the corners from the printed side to insure your patch seam allowance. The fabric is pinned for sewing. The ‘positioning’ pins are removed; the piece is turned over and the patch is sewn on the stitching line.
Block ready for last patch
After all the patches have been sewn I trim the block INCLUDING the seam allowance.
The papers are removed once the blocks have been sewn together and secured in the bag row. REMOVE ALL PAPERS BEFORE LINING THE BAG.
This method can be used for any foundation block.
Check back for the final instructions and finishing directions so you can sew your version of our Birthday Bag.
Filed under: Aurifil, Cotton Mako' Ne 50, Home page, Patchwork Tagged: | Always Quilting, bags, design inspiration, Foundation Piecing, Patchwork
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Great instructions, I could even be tempted to try paper piecing!