Materials Needed

• Foundation Paper: A square of thin material – newsprint -cut slightly larger than your desired finished block size (e.g., a 10.5-inch square for a 10-inch finished block).
• Fabric Scraps/Strips: Varying widths and lengths of fabric strips.
• Basic Quilting Supplies: Sewing machine, thread, rotary cutter, cutting mat, quilting ruler, iron, and possibly a fabric glue stick or pins. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Foundation:
   • Cut your foundation square to the desired size (e.g., 10.5″ x 10.5″).
   • Draw a diagonal line across the center of the square on the side that you will be sewing on.
2. Attach the First Strips:
   • Select your first two fabric strips. Place them right sides together.
   • Position this pair on the foundation so that your intended seam line runs along the drawn diagonal line, covering the center of the square.
   • Sew a 1/4-inch seam through both fabric strips and the foundation material.
3. Press the Seam:
   • Flip the top fabric strip open so that both right sides face up, and the seam is pressed flat. Pressing the seams open helps reduce bulk.
4. Continue Adding Strips:
   • Take another fabric strip. Place it right side down (right sides together) on top of the last strip you just pressed open, aligning the raw edges.
   • Sew a 1/4-inch seam along the aligned edge through all layers.
   • Flip the new strip open and press the seam flat.
5. Cover the Foundation:
   • Repeat the process, adding strips to alternating sides of the center line, until the entire foundation square is covered with fabric. Ensure all strips extend slightly past the edges of the foundation square.
6. Trim and Square Up:
   • Turn the block over so the foundation (muslin or paper) side is facing up.
   • Using your quilting ruler and rotary cutter, trim away the excess fabric, using the foundation edges as your guide to square up the block to your desired finished size (e.g., 10″ unfinished). 

If you used paper as a foundation, you can gently remove it now or wait until after the blocks are pieced together in the final quilt top to prevent stretching or warping.