Introduction to "Picture Piecing"

The "Picture Piecing" technique,was developed by Cynthia and is characteristic of all of her patterns. Many are surprised to learn that these designs are not "Foundation Pieced" or "Flip and Sewn". The numbering sequence is not designed for foundation piecing. If you were to piece this block using foundation piecing, the pattern would be reversed.

Please note: the instructions given in this Getting Started Tutorial for the "Engine" block sample pattern are more detailed than those you'll find in our Intermediate and Advanced patterns. With the exception of the photos, these instructions are more characteristic of our Beginner patterns.

Try creating our free "Engine" block pattern, using the instructions over the next few pages, and see how easy it can be to create Cynthia's detailed block designs. The detailed instructions include step-by-step photographs, to help quilters learn Cynthia's Picture Piecing technique.

Start by visiting our Free Patterns page to download the "Engine" Block pattern. Then, we recommend that you print each page of these tutorial instructions and keep them handy as you work on the block.

Getting Started

For best results, please read all directions before beginning.

• Print the pattern. ( Download it from the Free Patterns page.)
• Place freezer paper (shiny side down) on top of the pattern.
• You will be able to see the pattern through the freezer paper. With a pencil, trace all of the lines and notations (see photo right).

Note: All of our patterns have pre-printed freezer paper included, so this step will be eliminated when you are working from one of our commercial patterns.

The pattern you print will be the Master Pattern and the one you trace will be used as the templates.

About the pattern

There are symbols used throughout the pattern to guide you. Here is a brief legend to help you understand the symbols.

Circled numbers identify pieces and give clues as to the order pieces are sewn.

A
Bold letters and bold lines indicate major sections. Work these one at a time.

B
Small letters indicate fabric color.

---
Dotted lines indicate subsections.

Arrows denote which way to place pattern pieces when ironing to a directional fabric. For example, if you have a stripe fabric, iron the pattern piece so that the arrow is going the same way as the lines in the fabric. Arrows do not denote grain line.

Generally, seams do not have to match, but there are exceptions. Seams that do need to match are indicated by a circle of the intersection.

Cutting Directions

Fabric Requirements

Note: these are estimates only. Feel free to use scraps.

B- (background) 4 1/2" x 22"
E- (blue engine) 4 1/2" x 11"
R- (wheels) 4 1/2" x 6"
X- (black) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
G- (green) 1" x 4"

1. Cut apart freezer paper on the bold lines. These are the major sections. Use baggies to keep these sections separate. Cut apart all pieces. Place one section in each baggie. I like to use a plastic tray to keep them organized.
2. Make a color chart: use a glue stick to label fabric swatches.
   
3. Sort the pattern pieces by color (all the "B"s in one stack, E's go in another, etc.)
4. Using the color chart as a guide, iron (cotton setting, no steam) one section of freezer paper pieces to the right side of their corresponding fabrics. Leave 1/4" around each piece. A hard ironing surface works best.
   
5. Use scissors to cut out fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance around each piece. No need to measure this; just "eyeball" it.
   

Sewing Directions

Work one section at a time, following the sewing sequence.

1. Find two pieces that are next to each other and that share an equal common side. (See the sewing sequence below.)
2. Place right sides together, freezer paper to freezer paper. Pull back one corner and check to see that the freezer paper matches. Pin.

   Mismatched pieces

   

   Matched pieces

   

   Pinning matched pieces

   

   Pinned matched pieces

3. "Pinch-fold" back against the paper to get a crease. You will be sewing next to this crease.
   
4. Begin chain piecing pairs within one section. (See the sewing order instructions.) Sew from end to end. Check each seam to see that the paper pieces are "butting up" to each other.
   

   Correctly sewn pieces

   

   Incorrectly sewn pieces (left side)

   If this happens, visit the troubleshooting section on the next page
5. Iron seams to one side. Press after each sewn seam!
6. Trim loose threads. And, if you have moved any pieces trim all sides back down to 1/4" seam allowance.
7. Continue to complete the section by either adding individual pieces to the pairs, or by sewing pairs together.

Sewing Sequence

Note: Press after every sewn seam! (Please note: These detailed sewing sequence instructions are similar to those you'll find in our Beginner patterns, but are more detailed than those you'll find in our Intermediate and Advanced patterns.)

Note: Small dotted lines in Section G indicate quilting stitches.

Troubleshooting

(This is the "cheating" we mentioned earlier.)

• If the pattern pieces are too far away, remove them, realign and iron again.
  

  Paper pieces too far away(on left side)

  

  Repositioning paper pieces

• If your sewn seam goes over the freezer paper slightly, gently tug on both sides of the seam. Usually, the paper will release itself. (Then you can reposition the pattern piece.)
• If that doesn't work, check to see how much of the frezer paper is sewn into the seam. If it is alot, finger press the edge down and sew a new seam, then take the old seam out.