An in-depth tutorial providing step-by-step instructions and my tips for successful paper piecing the Square-in-a-square block for your Cosmic Cactus quilt. There are also are plenty of photos so you can easy follow along and complete your square-in-a-square block.

What is paper piecing?

Paper piecing is usually done with paper that can be removed after stitching.

This is not to be confused with foundation piecing. Foundation piecing is where you sew onto a background fabric, usually muslin and it stays on.

The square-in-a-square block can be completed in various ways. I prefer to use this paper piecing method for the following reasons:

• Only a small amount of wastage. Other methods waste more fabric!

• Greater accuracy when piecing the block.

Abbreviations:

RST - Right sides together.

My tips for successful paper piecing:

• When cutting your fabric use labels, as the two different size squares will look similar in size.

• Handle the 2 smaller squares with care. When cut in half they will have bias edges. Use a hot iron with no steam. Take particular care when pressing. Press your seam by lift and lowering the iron in one spot. Do not iron back and forth as this will cause distortion and stretching along the bias edge.

• You can use regular printer paper!

• When printing your templates, ensure you print at 100% size. Don’t select ‘scale to page’ when printing. Check the printed template is the correct size measuring the 1” scale box.

• Shorten your stitch length to 1 to 1.3. This will allow the paper to tear off easily.

• Place your fabric square on the non-printed side of the paper, with the right side of the fabric facing towards you.

• Use a glue stick (water-soluble) to hold main centre square in place (but don't use too much) and pins for the outer triangles.

• Sew directly through the printed paper from the printed side (fabric will be on the underside).

How to make a viewing window to fussy cut your motifs:

1. Take an acrylic square ruler and washi tape.

2. Use washi tape to mark the S2 square size you need to cut: BABY - 5” square; THROW - 6.5” square. Fig.1

3. Move the ruler around the fabric to see if the size of the print allows a nice feature within the shape.

4. Check the motif does not come within the 1/4″ seam allowance included on all the edges.

5. Note the motif orientation in the square needs to be centred on the diagonal. Fig. 2

PREPARE THE TEMPLATE

JOINING TEMPLATES (Throw size only)

PIECING THE BLOCK