This is a quick way to sew together individual tiny squares of fabric to create a postage stamp block with accurate corner alignment and use up some of your tiny fabric scraps.
Collect
Lots of fabric scraps.
Cut
Lots of 1.5” squares from fabric scraps.
Four pieces of Freezer Paper or fine iron-on vylene about 10” x 10” (needs 36 fabric squares) .
Mark the Freezer Paper/Vylene in a 1.5” grid with a ‘tracing wheel’. There are ready made fabrics or iron-on papers available instead of the Freezer Paper.
Construct
Layout the 1.5” squares of fabric onto the shiny/sticky side of the paper/fabric, right side up.
Iron them into place. Make sure not to iron any uncovered part of the backing.Fold the paper accurately along the first vertical grid line perforations so that the fabric squares are enclosed.
Set your machine at a very short stitch length (1.5-1.8 is recommended).
Sew through both layers of the paper and the fabrics using ¼” seam allowance.
Continue to fold and sew all the vertical grid lines through both the paper and fabric layers.
If you have used paper, carefully tear the paper off that is within the seam allowance. It might be easier to use an ‘un-picker’ to slit the paper along the fold. If any fabric comes loose from the paper on the right side, press it again carefully to re-attach it. If using vylene then leave it on the back of the piece.
Now accurately fold the horizontal grid lines. If you use vylene you might need to snip the intersections to the stitching. Finger press the vertical fabric seam allowances in opposite directions for each 1.5” row. The finger pressing should mean that the seams face in opposite directions at each intersection for a flatter corner.
Remove all paper from the back of the block and press.
MAGIC! You should now have a postage stamp block with perfect corners at each join
Variations
Chain-pieced options
Another way to achieve a similar result without using freezer paper is to chain-piece the vertical rows of small squares. To avoid the machine chewing the seams, sew onto phone book or tissue paper.
Then, without snipping the threads (leave the webbing), join the horizontal rows. It will be important to align the points when sewing the horizontal rows so finger press the seams in opposite directions, butt the seams and pin down the leading edge.
This variation will mean the small squares need to be cut more accurately or any inaccuracies catered for whilst chain piecing. Some easing of squares might be needed to match the points accurately. Border strips can be made using this chain-piecing technique also.
Colourwash blocks
The tiny squares of fabric in this block can be arranged to create special effects rather than just placed randomly.
Another arrangement is to create gradations of colour in the block and arrange the blocks for effective patterns over the quilt. A graded colour block can be seen at http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/colourwash_quilt
Mosaic images and portraits
Tammie Bowser and Wanda Hanson are well known for their mosaic quilts. Examples and hints can be found online by searching.
Notes and Tips
Using a short stitch length for paper based foundation piecing makes removal of the paper easier. The needle perforates the paper and the more holes, the easier it is to tear off without pulling at the fabric or stitching thread.
Helpful Resource
More options for the backing are given at
http://www.ozquilts.com.au/index.php?target=products&product_id=33144
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