Foundation Table Runner

Last weekend I taught my foundation paper piece table runner class at Modern Domestic.  It’s a new pattern (soon to be released after testing is finished) and we didn’t quite make it through the table runner.  But everyone did a great job with foundation paper piecing and I’m so proud to say there were no major mishaps.  Everyone did a great job.  It was a small class of four, and two of the sewers were new to quilting but picked it right up.  My other two students are new-ish to quilting and took right to it.  One of my students, Erin, even finished hers this week! 

I’ve largely gone into the world of foundation paper piecing (FPP) on my own, without benefit of instruction from someone else.  But sometimes I think that’s the best way to learn a technique and really get into what does and doesn’t work.  Because of that I’ve been able to try lots of different methods and find what works best for me.  I have a rather old tutorial (on here somewhere) of the way I initially found of doing FPP, and it works great and I still sometimes follow that method, but when it comes to an actual pattern with repeating blocks I’ve found a much simpler way and I love sharing what I know. 

I absolutely love using sewing tools when they really do make the job easier, and my Add-A-Quarter ruler is no exception.  It has been a great tool to have in my sewing drawers and I have pulled it out many times in the last two years.  An Add-A-Quarter ruler is not required to get the same result, but as I think my students saw, it sure makes it a more pleasant and efficient experience. 

I’m looking forward to offering the class again, this time in two installments so we can make sure to get all of the blocks done between classes and really focus on the essentials of assembling the top and quilting it.  I’ll be sure to mention it here in this space when that is scheduled.  I loved teaching at Modern Domestic, and if you are local and haven’t had an opportunity to visit or take a class there, I really recommend it.  The space has such a wonderful feel and it’s so nice being able to spread out and work.  I especially love that I get to work on my favorite machines: Bernina!  They also have sew-by-the-hour and Friday night “sew-cials”.