How to sew weather-themed Foundation Paper Piecing blocks

Use our Foundation Paper Piecing templates to ensure your blocks are perfectly sewn whatever the weather. These wonderful weather-themed blocks are sure to add a quirky look to any quilt design.

These weather quilt blocks are a great way to practice and perfect your FPP skills, but don't worry if you're new to it, you can always check out our guide on foundation paper piecing for beginners.

How to FPP our weather-themed quilt blocks

Notes

Seam allowances are ¹⁄₄in, unless otherwise noted.
Templates include seam allowances around the block outer edge; however the inner section lines do not include seam allowances so remember to allow for this when cutting your fabric and add the ¹⁄₄in seam allowance when each section is trimmed to make the block.
WS= wrong side.
HST = Half-square Triangle.
Fussy cutting will require additional fabric.

Heatwave

You will need

Download your free FPP weather templates
¹⁄₄in ruler
Aqua sky fabric (14in square)
Light yellow fabric (12in square)
Dark yellow fabric (12in square)
Freezer paper (optional) (4in square)

Cutting out

For this block, all the fabric pieces will be pre-cut before piecing using the freezer paper template method. Trace Sections A and B from the original template onto freezer paper including all number and letter details: the outline will be on the dull paper side (Fig A, below). As the shapes in Sections A and B are repeated, these pieces will be reused for the remaining sections.

Cut out each freezer paper piece along the seam lines. Arrange the pieces on the wrong side of your fabric, with the waxy side against the fabric, leaving approx. ¹⁄₂in seam allowance around each shape. Press in place using a hot, dry iron.

Cut out your pieces, adding a seam allowance around the edge of each one (Fig B, below). If you’re new to FPP, use a ¹⁄₂in seam allowance to give you extra “wiggle room” for piecing. Once cooled, you can peel the paper away from the fabric and reuse to cut more pieces. Cut the following:

Piece A1: cut eight (8) for A1, B4, C1, D4, E1, F4, G1, H4
Piece A2: cut eight (8) for A2, B1, C2, D1, E2, F1, G2, H1
Piece A3: cut four (4) for A3, C3, E3, G3
Piece A4: cut four (4) for A4, C4, E4, G4
Piece B2: cut four (4) for B2, D2, F2, H2
Piece B3: cut four (4) for B3, D3, F3, H3

Cut out the original template. Cut along the inner dashed lines to create eight separate Sections, A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H.

Piecing the block

Step 1 - Complete Sections A, C, E and G. These sections are identical so chain piecing works well here.

Step 2 - Complete Sections B, D, F and H, chain piece as before.

Step 3 - Join Section A to B, matching the seam points with pins and sewing from the A and B points to the outer edge. Press the joining seam open. Repeat joining C to D, E to F, and G to H.

Step 4 - Join AB to CD, sewing from the inner points to the outer edge. Press the joining seam towards C. Repeat with EF to GH, pressing the joining seam towards G.

Step 5 - Starting in the block centre and stitching to the outer edge, join ABCD to EFGH; the centre seams should nest together. Flip over and repeat from the block centre to the outer edge, overlapping the centre stitches. Press seam open.

Step 6 - Carefully remove template paper. Press and trim block to measure 6¹⁄₂in square.