Today foundation piecing is used to sew more than scrappy quilts.
Foundation piecing patterns use block designs with straight-seam sequences.
The pattern lines are drawn onto the temporary or permanent foundation material. The generously cut fabrics are pinned on the unlined or plain side of the foundation, and then the whole thing is flipped over with the sewing done on the appropriate seam line. It is incredibly accurate, allowing people of all skill levels to sew very complex block patterns. The finished, pieced side of the foundation is the mirror image of the drawn, lined side of the block. Similarities include using the same source of straight-seam sequenced block patterns, sewing the pieces in numbered sequence on a marked line, and using generously cut pieces of fabric.