Paper Piecing Help

[CaroleJ]

Carol, no one has answered your question yet so I will stick my conk in!

Yes, you can use regular piecing techniques on a "paper pieced" block. BUT I encourage you to explore and find out more about the paper or foundation piecing method. If you have a copy of QIAD's "Quilts Through the Seasons", take a look at the instructions for the My Crazy Valentine block: it's paper pieced.

I just started doing some paper piecing late last year. Nothing beats it for making neat corners and angles! The accuracy you can achieve is amazing. It's also an easier technique to use if you are working with small pieces, or if you need to use pieces that are cut off-grain. I am working on a coffee mug quilt and I converted the pattern to paper piecing. The cup handles go together SO easily, and the points on the saucers come out nice and sharp, every time.

Some drawbacks: it's messy! Lots of paper scraps and fabric snippets all over. Uses more fabric and more thread than strip piecing. Sewing through paper dulls your machine needles pretty quickly, and paper dulls your sewing shears as well.

I love this method, though...it was exceedingly frustrating the first time I tried it. It's good brain exercise, though, as I have to really THINK about what I'm doing otherwise I goof! Once I the general hang of the technique, I find it very fun...and again, it can't be beat for accuracy.

Does any of this make any sense? LOL
Carole

[CaroleJ]

Just to add to what Kadie said, "English paper piecing" is *different* from "foundation" or "paper" piecing.

[ollie1shoe]

but oh how i love the challenge of paper piecing cant wait to finish it so i can share it with everyone only wonder hows the best way to get paper off back without ripping my stitches best advice i can give is cut fabric larger than you think you need to and believe me its usually not to large

[quilter78]

That is a new one for me. never heard of a clapper except the ones used to shut off your lights... why do you pound on your seam... won't an iron do just as well? you are not talking of those little wooden things you use to press down on your seam instead of ironing.. forgot what you call them, or to make a fold.... I just have used a back of the scissor or what ever is handy.. I am not dumb just inquisitive. Or am I.......

[quilter78]

<a href="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x69/ ... ulips1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x69/ ... ulips1.jpg" border="0" alt="tulips1.jpg"></a>

This is my first and only paper piecing I tried... notice how thin the stems are, you can really do small pieces... I noticed I some tops of my tulips but what do you expect for the first time.. You are right it does seem back wards... was fun trying it though.. I reccomend do a small project at first... I plan on doing another with a white dove on navy blue fabric.. hope this comes out ok, been a while sense I played with pics....

[quilter78]

oops, did some thing wrong.. sorry about that. I will try again..

[quilter78]

IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x69/ ... ips1-1.jpg[/IMG]

maybe I got it now... if not will try again tomorrow..