Paper Piecing Using Freezer Paper: 12 Expert Tips

Foundation Piecing with Freezer Paper

What is paper piecing using freezer paper?

Freezer paper piecing (FPP) is a foundation piecing technique that uses freezer paper instead of foundation paper for templates. Unlike traditional paper piecing, where the paper foundation is stitched through, the plastic side of freezer paper temporarily adheres to fabric. The folded edge of the paper is the seam guide.

First, templates are copied with an inkjet printer or traced on the matte side of freezer paper sheets. The template is placed on top of the fabric piece leaving enough room for seam allowances. I press the template with a hot iron, then fold the paper back. The seam is sewn along the folded edge, then pressed and trimmed.

Consistent, accurate seam allowances and crisp points are a big deal, right? Modern triangle quilts give me plenty of opportunities to practice!

How is foundation paper piecing with freezer paper different than using paper?

Freezer paper piecing and foundation paper piecing using freezer paper may sound similar, but there are key differences between the two techniques. In FPP, the freezer paper acts as a seam guide and is reusable. It’s peeled from the fabric and reused many times (6 to 20 times!)

On the other hand, foundation paper piecing is stitched through and torn away afterward – you can’t reuse it. Ripping the paper bits from the seams is a tedious and time-consuming job. I’ve used both methods and Team FPP is the winner.

What are the benefits of freezer paper paper piecing?

I’ve found several benefits and advantages with freezer paper piecing.

First, freezer paper is easy to remove and reuse on another block.

Second, no ripping and picking paper bits from seams with tweezers. Does anyone like this?!

Third, it offers more stability for bias edges because the wax grips the fabric.

Lastly, fewer foundations. Freezer paper templates are reusable many times! So good.

FPP Process: 12 Essential Tips from Quilt Start to Finish

I’ll share essential tips with each part of the process to keep things flowing and sewing. It’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed at the start of any quilt project. When you add in foundations, there’s more to manage. You’ve got this!

Before we dive into the techniques, I’ll show you the materials and tools you’ll need.

Recommended Products

Tip #1: Use the tried-and-true Reynolds.

Most of our members prefer household Reynolds. Cut to size (8.5 x 11) to fit through an inkjet printer; place cut sheets under a few books to flatten before printing. See more tips for printing below.

Two other tested brands are worth a try: C. Jenkins, The Gypsy Quilter and Quilters Freezer Paper by C & T Pub. We’ve heard how one brand works for one quilter and not another.

Typically, a foundation template is used 8 – 20 times. When it doesn’t last as long, try another brand or a different batch.

Tip #2: Use a dry hot iron on cotton/linen setting

Sometimes, an iron isn’t hot enough. Try out a wool pressing mat and warm up the fabric by pressing it first. Both stay warmer and help melt the plastic to the fabric.

Recommended Tools for Paper Piecing using Freezer Paper

Foundation piecing goes smoothly when you use the right products:

• A very hot iron
• New rotary cutter blades
• Add-a-quarter ruler
• Wool pressing mat
• Acrylic quilters ruler in a smaller size for easy trimming
• Thin line marker for tracing or numbering and adding notes to templates
• Inkjet printer (laser printers are too hot)
• Seam ripper
• Tweezers (optional)

Freezer Paper Piecing Tutorial: Tracing Template Designs

When transferring designs to freezer paper, you can trace or print the design onto the paper. Tracing isn’t fast but it works. I use a point-to-point method with a pen and ruler for the most accurate tracing. When a template is larger than 8.5 x 11A4 paper, trace it directly onto the dull side of the freezer paper instead of photocopying.

Tip #3: Tracing with a pen and ruler

1. Tracing is useful when the foundations are too large to fit on 8.5 x 11 sheets.
2. Lay the freezer paper with the shiny side down and the matte (dull) side facing you on a light surface or light box.
3. Add dots with the marker on all of the points where lines meet.
4. Using a ruler, draw lines point-to-point as your trace over the template lines. Trim. Nice and straight and ready to use.

Freezer Paper Piecing Tutorial: Printing Templates

Tip #4: Check which direction paper is loaded in the printer tray.

Mark an “x” on a piece of plain photocopy paper to determine which side is printed on and whether to place it face up or face down in the printer tray. Print the templates on the dull matte side.

Preparing the Freezer Paper

Foundations are designed to fit on letter size paper. Cut it to letter size (8.5 x 11) when using it from a roll. Place it under a few books to flatten it first, if needed.

Printing Tips for Accuracy

Most printers are accurate, however, the template size may be off by a smidge with some printers.

Tip #4: Print the templates at 100% scale.

Make a test print on printer paper. Measure the 1-inch scale box to check accuracy. Run a test when this happens by changing the scale setting a percent at a time, then remeasure the scale box until it’s the same size as the original template. Like I said, it happens but not often.

Some quilters find that freezer paper shrinks after it runs through a printer. Another reason to check the scale box! You can’t turn down the printer’s temperature, but you can pre-shrink it by pressing it onto parchment paper. Peel it off and you’re ready to try again.

Tip #5: How to feed freezer paper into the printer

Most printers are champs with freezer paper, however, a finicky printer may need patience. Attach a sheet of regular copy paper underneath the freezer paper with a few dots of glue stick in between – this helps the feeder grab it. Also, try feeding one at a time.

Tip #6: Letters, Numbers and Notes on Templates

Adding directions and notes to the templates before sewing helps with accuracy. Templates are numbered in numerical order for piecing sections together, starting with piece 1. A and B templates are marked to indicate which way the seam directions are pressed. Press all of the A pieces in one direction and the B pieces in the opposite direction.

Add your own notes to keep organized:

• Write in or color the fabric color template sections with colored pencil
• Number and size of fabric pieces needed

Tip #7: Score the seam lines

Scoring fold lines with a tailor’s wheel or metal edge ruler on the templates improves accuracy. The seam is stitched right next to the fold. Scoring makes a crisp, uniform fold – not wobbly or crinkly!

Now you’re really ready to sew!

Accurate Sewing seams STARTS with Fabric cuts

My patterns include templates for cutting fabric. I cut them outside the lines so that I have extra fabric in case I need it.

Tip #8: Accurate piecing starts with fabric cuts.

You need at least a quarter inch of extra fabric around each edge of section 1. Play it safe with slightly larger fabric pieces. They won’t need to be perfect shapes either.

Which presser foot should I use for FPP?

Tip #9: I recommend trying several different presser feet.

Quarter-inch quilting foot

This foot is a good place to start. Sew with the metal guide running along the fabric edge to get an accurate seam allowance. The seam is sewn next to the folded edge.

Stitch in the ditch foot

The stitch in the ditch foot has a guide that runs right alongside the fold. Adjust your needle position to the center.

Walking foot

A walking foot prevents fabric layers from shifting and has built-in guides for precise quaseam allowances. The walking foot is my go-to foot for foundation piecing and regular piecing.

What is the proper stitch length?

Most quilters piece with a regular piecing stitch length of 1.5 to 1.8 for this method instead of a 1.0.

Trimming seam allowances

After sewing each section, trim the excess fabric using an add-a-quarter ruler or acrylic straight ruler. Line up the ruler’s 1/4 inch line with the seam line and trim cut off the excess with a rotary cutter.

Why you don’t always need a quarter inch seam allowance for foundation piecing

One of the benefits of foundation piecing is accuracy, and that means fudging seam allowance sizes when necessary! Another benefit of paper piecing using freezer paper is seeing the seam allowance as you sew. When I’ve cut my fabric shapes a bit too small, something’s gotta give. As long as the seam is in the right place, a smaller allowance isn’t usually a problem. Plus, it reduces bulk.

Pressing Tips

I love looking at sharply pressed pieces. Quilt nerd. It’s nice though, right?!

Tip #10: Pressing is as important as piecing.

Remove the freezer paper and set the seam by pressing on the on the right side of the fabric first. Then flip it over and press the seam in the A or B direction.

Press in one spot for five seconds to avoid stretching the fabric. Pressing as you go can dramatically affect the overall look and finish. Quilters often prefer using traditional foundation paper piecing methods for better accuracy. By following these pressing tips, your freezer paper patterns will also finish flawlessly.

Consistent Pressing

Essential Tip #11: Press every seam at the right time – right after you sew it.

Pressing three neighboring block seams isn’t easy, never mind 10! Press each seam right after its sewn and then keep sewing in numerical order. Easier and precise-r!

Essential Tip #12: Use a hot iron on the cotton/linen setting.

Save time by pressing seams at the right temperature. If it takes longer than 8 seconds to press seams at the cotton setting, you might need a new iron.

Conclusion

Now you know our 12 expert tips! Foundation piecing is about the mastering the details. Here’s what I covered in this post.

• Accurate piecing is one of the best reasons to learn foundation piecing.
• Foundations are pressed onto your fabrics for accurate cutting and sewing.
• Foundation pieces are numbered pattern pieces in stitching order.
• You use fewer foundations – less printing, tracing, cutting.
• Consistent seam lines produce great results.
• No ripping.
• The attention to detail produces beautiful, precise quilt tops.
• You’ll love the accuracy with simple and complex triangle blocks.

I’ve seen beginner quilters learn the method and practice their way to beautiful quilts. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned quilter, try this easy method with freezer paper piecing patterns.

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