Thursday, February 2, 2012

Simplified Foundation Piecing Tutorial








Becca's Envelope Tutorial



I'm not really sure if this is technically foundation piecing, but what ever it is, I hope these instructions are helpful!


Getting started:
}Cut a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square from a cotton print
}Cut the following from a solid cotton fabric:
3 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 5" triangle (cut 2)
1 1/4" x 5 1/2" rectangle 
1 1/4" x 6 1/4" rectangle
3 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangle
}Cut the following from white Kona cotton:
14" x 4" rectangle (cut 2) 
15" x 3" rectangle
approx. 7 1/2" x 10" rectangle (cut 2, using what's left over)
Now for the fun part!

}Center your 5 1/2" square on top of the template .
}Line up the shortest solid piece (1 1/2" x 5 1/2") with the top left side of the center square.  There will be a 1/4" of fabric hanging over the lines of the template.  These lines are your stitch guides.
}Sew all three layers (muslin, print, solid) together with a 1/4" seam allowance. 
Make sure to back stitch at the beginning and end of all your seams!



}Line up the longer solid piece (1 1/4" x 6 1/4") with the top right side of the center square.

}Stitch down and press open.


}Line up the 5" side of a triangle piece with the bottom left side of the center square.
}Stitch down and press open.
}Repeat on the other side.




}Line up the last solid piece with the bottoms of the triangles. 
}Stitch all the way across.
}Trim the bit of center square that is hanging down.
}Press open.

}Now, it's looking like an envelope!





}Line up one of the 7 1/2" x 10" Kona pieces with the top right side of the envelope.  
}Stitch the Kona down just along the length of the envelope.
}Trim the seam allowance to 1/4".
}Press open.









}Take the second 7 1/2" x 10" piece of Kona and line it up with the left top side of the envelope.





}Trim seam and extra portion of Kona from the previous step to 1/4" and press.




}Line up one of the 14" x 4" Kona pieces with the left side of the envelope.
}Stitch, trim, press.
}Repeat on the right side of the envelope.

}Line up the last piece (you're almost done!) with the bottom of the envelope.
}Stitch, trim, press.











Here are a couple I've made.  Don't feel like you have to "match" my colors.  I may not even end up using these. 

Thanks a million!  I can't wait to see what you're envelopes look like!
xo
Becca


2 comments:

  1. Such a great tutorial! Thanks Becca. And I second that you are on the ball and that the package was beautiful.

    I'm excited to get going on this!

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  2. Oh, here's the tutorial I missed. I wondered how Jen made hers! I've never made a square like this before- it will be nice to learn a new "trick"! I love that rooster fabric. I'll need to go to the fabric store downtown to find a fun fabric.

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