My second quilt I am using Marcia Hohn's 6" butterfly pattern. I do not know how to do paper piecing. Could someone explain step by step for me on how to do this. I understand the practice block that she has but dot not understand the butterfly block how to get the center strips together. If someone could look at the block and explain it to me that would be great. It is in quilterscache.com. Kyia

There are several butterfly patterns there.
Is this the one you are talking about?


http://quilterscache.com./A/AnotherE...rflyBlock.html

No, sorry it is the 6" block that looks blueish/purple with tan background. Than one is nice though but if I can figure out the one I mentioned I'd rather do that one. I don't know how to put the link on here or I would. Thanks for the help. Kyia

Kyiav10, it looks like the center strip is just 3 pieces of fabric sewn together. You don't need to paper piece those. Just sew the 2 different fabrics together to make the 6" long body of the butterfly. Then you attach the right and left wings to complete it.

But if you want more help, there is a paper piecing lesson on her website and it is called Lesson 3.

Kyiav,
I think Wendy has it right. You're going to have to do some measuring to figure out what size width to make the body. Measure the finished width of the wings and plan accordingly. It looks pretty narrow so probably cut an inch wide strip that would become 1/2" finished.

If you're making several butterflies I'd make a strip of fabric with the top and bottom sewn on and then cut the bodies from that.

I'm really surprise Marcia doesn't have the body measurements posted there. She's usually very precise. Perhaps drop her a note and ask what she planned to use there.

This is the addy I think....

http://www.quilterscache.com/B/ButterflyBlock.html

I can't figure out how to do the little triangles in the cneter strip.

Thank you for all the help. Kyia

Kyiav10, you have printed out the paper piecing templates from that page right?

If you sew piece 1 (the tan triangle) first, then sew piece 2 to that (pale purple fabric) then add piece 3 (lavender fabric) you should have the center of each wing.

I hope that answers your question.

Thank you for the responses.

The problem is how do I know the measurements to cut the fabric. There are not triangle templates to cut to then cut the fabric from and no measurements to measure and cut.

I am giong to fool with it tomorrow night. I fooled around with some measurements and I'll see what I come up with, prolly crapolla, but we shall see. It is not like a normal pattern for me. I am just concerned I may be biting off more than I can chew. Wish me luck.

Thanks again for the help. Kyia

When I'm paper piecing I usually just cut out a hunk of fabric that looks like it'll fit the space and then add a little to make sure! I also dig around in my scrap basket a lot!!! You don't really need measurements. Just have fun with it.

I have no idea if this will help you or not but here is the paper piecing illustrations that I posted a while back. If you need more help let me know.

Yvonne, thank you very much. I searched and found your deomonstrations. I think once I practice it and follow by step a few times I will have it. Thank you very much for your time in doing that post. I am sure it will help me as I am sure it has helped others.

By the way nice name, it is also my mothers name. Kyia