Could Foundation Paper Piecing Improve Your Accuracy?

April 19, 2026

Struggling with accuracy? Using foundation paper piecing on some basic blocks (such as flying geese, hst's, square in a square) can be one option to help you get better results. I'm not pushing any one particular brand of foundation paper, however you will notice in my pictures that the ones in my stash are coincidentally from the same company. There are many different companies making these products: It's Sew Emma, Primitive Gatherings, Laundry Basket Quilts to name a few (you can also find many free downloadable pdf's online).

All of these common blocks are available from different companies in a multitude of sizes.

When shopping for these papers remember to read the sizes correctly, make sure to pay attention to whether the size is listed as "finished" or "unfinished".

Be careful to read all the information on the label. Up towards the top in the blue color it mentions that it makes 1 1/2 inch finished squares, but looking further down it clearly explains that you would have 2 inch unfinished and 1 1/2 inch finished. Make sure you are purchasing what your pattern calls for.

Although these papers are definitely an aid to improving accuracy it will also depend on how accurately you cut the papers and stitch on the marked lines. If you veer off of the stitching lines that will definitely affect your accuracy, points may not line up etc..

Now let's talk about some of the pros and cons of working with foundation paper piecing.

PROS:

**sewing your fabric to paper will help keep bias edges from stretching and distorting. Think of all the bias in a square in a square block, it is very easy to distort them when sewing and pressing. You can still press your block with the paper attached, just don't use steam. The paper will hold the bias edge secure and prevent any distortion.

**if you are a beginner, this will take away the struggle of achieving the "perfect" quarter inch seam allowance. As long as you sew directly on the marked lines you WILL have a quarter inch seam allowance.

**if you have to make a lot of one type of block in a quilt you will quickly get into a very efficient routine using the papers.

**available in a wide variety of common sizes.

**the papers come with instructions to get you started, but generally with most manufacturers, you sew on the dotted lines and trim on the solid lines. Most manufacturers also have You Tube videos you can follow for extra tips.

**you have the convenience of making any amount you want (from just one or two right up to making full sheets all at one time)

You can cut your rolls of hst papers as long as you want to make a number of squares, or just use one or two squares if that's all you need at that time.

In the picture above, I used a background fabric and print fabric that each measured 10x12 inches which gave me these 40 hst's ( 2x2) using the foundation paper pinned on. All exactly the right size!

CONS:

**it adds an additional cost to your project.

**there is the extra step of tearing away your paper. Keep in mind the paper is formulated to tear away easily and using a smaller stitch length and a larger needle will also help take a little of the work out of this step. Tip: if you are printing at home from purchased pdf's, it helps to use newsprint paper which is available at office supply stores or Amazon for a very reasonable price. It tears away easily yet offers enough support to do the trick.

**if you are working with purchased pdf's that you print yourself, you must always check that your printer settings are set to the correct size or you will not get accurately sized blocks. Of course, purchasing the tablets, pads or rolls of foundation paper piecing blocks will eliminate this issue.

**sewing and cutting the papers can dull your needles and rotary cutting blades a little quicker. It helps to keep a separate cutter just to use for this purpose.

There are a couple items that will make your foundation piecing a little easier, they are not necessary but are nice to have:

-"add a quarter ruler" (although you can use any ruler that has quarter inch markings)

-glue stick (often with small blocks I find I don't have to use this as I can hold the layers together without any shifting). To cut down on cost you can also just use regular straight pins instead of a glue stick.

The Add-a-Quarter ruler comes in a few sizes depending on your needs.

-the tablets are easy to store but I have found a couple of options that work well for keeping your rolls neatly rolled up after you open them and start using them.

Snap bands work great to keep your rolls neat and tidy.

Washi tape is also another great option and can easily be removed when you need to use the papers.

Foundation paper piecing can certainly help with consistency, and accuracy. It eases the struggles of achieving perfect points, and accurate seam allowances. This will give you consistent and precise results. It may not be for everyone but worth a try especially if you struggle with achieving the results you desire on certain basic blocks.

I love the accurate points and seams you can achieve, especially in a pattern with a lot of points to line up.

You might even find them addictive and want to experiment with some more detailed foundation paper piecing blocks that make great quilts. I especially like some of these papers for using up scraps in a very pleasing manner.

Many of these types of foundation paper piecing tablets come in multitude sizes.

Give it a try and see if this method might be for you!

Twila

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