Paper Piecing Help

[scrapmama]

I have just learned to paperpiece. i trace off my pattern onto white paper or newsprint then with an unthreaded needle in my machine I sew on all lines including the seam allowance. this gives me sewing lines plus is very easy to tear paper away. Parchmefnt paper is slippery but is very easy to practice on; can see through and can be staples or pinned to practice fabric. Walmart sells a pad of newsprint in their crayon and paper dept. A book called Color Magic for quilters by Ann Seely and Joyce Stewart by St. martins Press is the very best book to learn from. Carol Doak has some also. At American Quilters Society called Experts guide to papeer piecing. A very good Book

[Marilynsgrammy]

OH Mary, I messed up quite a few too.... It really shouldn't be difficult.... sew on line one then sew on line two, but I guess I need to re-learn my numbers....lol....Can't wait to see a picture of yours when you're finished.

Joann, there is some paper you can buy that is thinner than copy paper.... I saw it on that Alex Anderson show once, can't think of the name of her show now, but maybe you can do a search.... I think thinner paper would be easier to work with, as long as it isn't so thin it tears when you touch it.

I want to see your project when you are through too....

Chriss

[sewbug]

Carol Doak has an excellent DVD on how to paper piece. It's like having her right there with you. She shows you the best tools to use and why you need them. Her organization method makes it so much easier to keep track of what you are doing. I love paper piecing and make even the simple blocks that way.

[Bransmom]

A friend has the Carol Doak DVD and is going to loan it to me ... YEA!!!

I played today using the instructions that were posted and it took me about 2 hours to make a little block that had 5 pieces. The second one took a little less time. Like I said, it's so backwards to me and I'm probably over-thinking it so I think I'll set it aside until I have the DVD to watch.

For me a lot of times when I see someone do it it makes more sense.

Chriss, I've seen that paper and if I get the hang of this, I may get some. So far, copy paper is OK for me to work with. I've printed off patterns from the internet so they're pretty dark, but thanks for the tip.

Bransmom/aka Joann

[FranW]

I love to pp, but for the life of me I cannot applique. My hands turn into these huge "oxish" things that I have no control over. So, I'll make you a deal, I'll send you my applique, you send me your pp!
OK, maybe I shouldn't shorten the words, paper piecing. LOL

[Bransmom]

Fran, HA HA HA ... can I still send my paper piecing to you, I don't do very well at applique yet, I'm still learning.

Another question though, when you finish sewing on the paper and trim the block to size, do you THEN remove the paper, or stitch through the 1/4" line for the seam and THEN remove all the paper.

I also posted another question about ugly blocks, comments, I need help!

Thanks a bunch!

[Leetec]

I did a few PP wallhangings for Christmas. I found it's good to tear off the edges of the paper before sewing borders on. It just made it easier to ease the non-PP fabric into place. I also removed teh paper from teh seam allowance after joining two PP sections. Then I removed the rest of the paper. I hope this makes sense and helps.

[JudyWoo]

I love paper piecing because all my points come together perfectly, but I have NIGHTMARES when it come to applique! I just bought some MORE books though and hopefully some day I'll get brave enough to give it another try. I watch the videos and tv programs faithfully, but when it comes down to actually doing it, I'm all thumbs. I would give anything to have a friend who could spend an afternoon with me and show me how it's done.

[Marilynsgrammy]

Joann.... you don't sew around the block on the 1/4 inch line... that line is for sewing one block to another....so that you have a 1/4 inch seam to sew your blocks together. Don't cut on that dotted line around your block if you are joining two blocks together....untill you are done sewing and ready to trim.

It is also used so you know where the qtr inch seam line is to sew borders....

It's just a guide.... and only needed to sew one thing to another.....

You'll get it, it's just something new and that always takes time...

Chriss

[gardenquilter]

i alwasy fold the paper on the lines multiple times and use a tight stitch
the biggest thing for me i s making sure i dont cut my fabric to small so i do alot of pressing a trimming the more you press the crisper your lines