NEW: Courthouse Steps Quilt Block FPP Templates

Use these Courthouse Steps quilt block FPP templates to make beautiful and precise blocks.

Looking to make intricate Courthouse Steps quilt blocks but have discovered that it can be difficult working with smaller strips of fabric?
Do you frequently ending up with blocks that are a little less than straight?

If so, these Foundation Paper Piecing templates might just be what you need in order to get making with confidence. When you make these blocks using Foundation Paper Piecing you’ll be creating fabulous Courthouse Steps quilt blocks with ease!

The Courthouse Steps quilt block is a great variation on the Log Cabin. They are relatively simple to make, but you do need to be precise with the cutting of your strips and with your seam allowance.

Particularly when you are working on a smaller scale, both of these things can become more challenging. It does not take much at all for things to go wrong and there is nothing more frustrating than the reality not matching your expectations!

If you are striving for accuracy, then try out Foundation Piecing templates. As long as you can sew straight along a line they really will help you make wonderfully precise blocks. The paper acts as the foundation or stabiliser meaning that your blocks will stay nice and straight whilst you are sewing. No more wonky strips!

The Courthouse Steps quilt block Foundation Paper Piecing Templates are a pdf file that you can print at home. The downloadable file includes five different sizes of templates. This gives you lots different options for any number of patchwork projects.

Even though the smallest block size is a tiny 2″ square, don’t be intimidated by it. You make it in exactly the same way as you do the largest 6″ block. As the stitching lines are closer together I would say that when working on the smaller blocks sizes, that an add an eighth ruler is somewhat useful!

There are two different variations of Courthouse Steps included with your pdf download. The difference is subtle and, I’ll be totally honest with you, I couldn’t decide which version to offer for the pdf, so I’ve done both for you! This means that you get 10 different templates in total.

You can see from the image below that Version A is flanked by two squares (the same size as the central square) and two rectangles in the first round, whereas Version B is surrounded by four rectangles in the first round. You can see that the end result is that the strips in version B are a touch more narrow than those in Version A. I told you that the difference was subtle!

When printing out your own FPP templates at home you essentially have two options available to you. You can use standard printer paper or specialist foundation paper. As to which one is best, then you need to give both options a try and work out which one is right for you!

When opting for standard printer paper, I always choose the low end, cheap paper. A paper that is 80gsm or lighter is what you are looking for. You don’t want anything fancy, the more low end the better. If you choose a more heavy-weight paper you will find it more difficult to work with and harder to remove once you are done sewing.

Have you tried specialist Foundation Paper? If not, then I can highly recommend it. It’s more lightweight than standard copy/printer paper and it is a lot easier to see through. This is great when placing fabrics and for fussy cutting. The texture of the paper means that it is really easy to remove when you have finished sewing, but will stay in place whilst constructing your blocks!

I frequently use and can personally recommend the Foundation Paper from patterntrace. The whiteness of the paper means that it is easy to see through, even without using a light box or holding it up to a window. The other great feature for me is that it comes in A4 size (which avoids me having to faff with my printer settings!).