I have searched this board with no results and my Google skills have failed me.

I am looking for directions on how to create a paper pieced pattern. Not for regular quilt blocks or for how to paper piece. I know how to do those. I'm looking for the non-traditional type of blocks.

Let's say I have a photo of a flower, dress, backpack, etc. What are the steps I need to take to turn that picture (or clipart) from a photograph to a paper pieced pattern? I'm assuming this may have to be done in Photoshop?

I use EQ7...

If I had to do it by hand, from a photo or something, I'd put some tracing paper on the photo and do an approximation of the image using straight lines. Then I'd take that tracing and refine it into something that was reproducible in fabric.

Okay, I've done this MANY times. Enlarge the photo to the size you want it or as near as you can. Tape it to a light board, sunny window or computer screen that's lit. Tape tracing paper over it then do a line drawing of the important parts. After you get that done, take the tracing paper off and divide it up to the shapes that you want it to be. You may have 3, 4, 5 or more sections depending on how intricate your design is. Then pick a starting point and number it. Looking at other PP patterns will help you figure out exactly how to do this. It's a little tricky at first but it ain't rocket science. If I can do it so can you just have to know that it's like anything else, it requires practice.

I trace the design, then divide it into 1/4's. I work on one section at a time, drawing out my lines. Sometimes I have to cut those sections into more pieces...
Every design is different, so it is hard to explain.
Maybe look at more PP designs online, to get a feel for how they are split up, the lines drawn, and how they are numbered. :D:D:D

I believe Carol Doak has a book on how to make paper piecing patterns, but I am not positive. I would check her books or dvds out. I would love to learn to do this also. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks LaurieE for asking this question. I love to paper piece but would love to make my own patterns.

Carol Doak has instructions in PDF format at this web address.

http://mail.caroldoak.com/free-quilt-patterns.php

Just look for the "Designing Your Own Paper-Pieced Blocks" and there is also one for "Converting Traditional Patterns to Paper-Pieced Patterns".

I love free information.

Thanks so much for this. I am about to start a quilt for my DGS and want to do this with pictures of tractors for him.

There is a free program to do this with pictures or drawings. Go to http://www.cosman.nl/software_en.html

Wow, I always learn so much here. Thanks for the info.

Eq 5 will convert block patterns to pp. EQ 7 lets you trace a picture or design on the computer screen, no light box needed. The main thing is to have no curves in the block. That's when it gets tricky and you have lots and lots of small pieces