I know how to find stuff on the web, but there are a lot of people here that do paper piecing, I would appreciate it if you could direct me to some sites that are not so confusing. I have seen the work that has been posted and I want to try......I like the chicken that was just posted, if you haven't seen it take a look' it'll make you smile if not laugh

I have just the answer for you! Our benefactor for this great Quilting Board can help you out with that want as well as some other needs that someone might have.
Here is the link, check it out;

http://www.quiltedparadise.com/b/918/owz/167828

Joyce

paper piecing is only difficult because you're supposed to sew upside down. (fabric is underneath the paper). it's easy to get the seam allowance all whacky. doesn't matter if they're too wide (unless you cut your pieces exactly, which you should never do). but if they're too narrow, the whole thing could fall apart in the wash.

to avoid that, you can "cheat" by drawing a line (make sure it's a different color than the sewing line) 1/4" away from the sewing line. line your pieces up on that line, sew, and you should be good to go.

Ruthie, thanks for liking the Wiki-Wiki so much! You should give one a try! Marcia Hohn gives very good instructions and easy patterns. Go to
http://www.quilterscache.com and take a look! It's under the Quilt Blocks Galore section at the bottom, in the "S" section. You can read through the paper piecing tutorial on the site...maybe try a very easy pattern first. But I hope you try a Silly Chicken sometime! :D

Ruth,
Paper piecing takes some getting used to. Don't give up if at first it gives you difficulty. I was ready to toss out a project but persevered because of what my niece told me, "Paper piecing has a mind of it's own!" Well, no paper was going to get the best of me!
Cut your fabrics way over size, especially for your first few projects. Trim after you iron the fabric in place. There is waste but it will get less with practice. Those sites that tell you to cut the fabric to size before hand are nuts, in my humble opinion!
I have found that if I fold the paper back on the line that is next to be stitched I can trim to the 1/4" seam and then line up the next fabric on that.

I've been paper piecing off and on for three years or so and each time I start a new project I have a learning curve yet again! It's getting shorter though!:P
Have fun. If you need any help let me know. I love to yammer on about this, can you tell? And there are tricks to be had too!

There is a very strong paper piecing yahoo group run by Carol Doak. If you go to Yahoo Groups and put in her name, the registration should appear. There are over 2000 members. Carol Doak has even go so far as to create special patterns just for the group. Many members post pictures of their projects which include swaps, postcards, wall hangings and full quilts. The members are helpful and you will get lots of inspiration.

sewbeeit42

I learned foundation piecing (paper piecing) from Carol Doak's books. They have very clear instruction, and they are probably available at your public library.