Kate Knoeck

I am just learning to paper piece. The first paper piecing I have done happen to be a horse. It looks like something you would sew onto a square of fabric. The question I have is what kind of scissors do you use. If you use good fabric scissors you will dull them very quickly. So does anyone have any ideas?

PaperPrincess

Normally, you would use a rotary cutter and an 'add a quarter ruler'.
There are many tutorials on you tube demonstrating the technique, and Carol Doak's website is a wealth of info.

MadQuilter

What are you planning to cut other than fabric? In traditional PP you fold back the paper after each seam and trim the fabric. For that you can use the rotary cutter and add-a-quarter ruler as already mentioned, or you can use your scissors. No paper gets in the way.

When I use freezer paper to do appliques, I use my Fiscars. They are good quality and I have not found that they dull easy.

Onebyone

How are you paper piecing that you have to cut the paper with scissors? I use my regular fabric scissors to cut paper when I need to cut any. I probably have 20 plus pairs. The only scissors I baby are my hand sewing scissors.

quilting cat

I tear away the paper after paper piecing, only using scissors to trim the fabric.

DOTTYMO

As others have said you don't need to cut the paper. There is a very complicated method where you trace each shape onto a piece of paper add at least 1/4" and then cut out. This paper is the template to go over the shape on the first paper then flipping them back to make the seam now trim as others have said. Look at Carol Doak she is much easier

ManiacQuilter2

I usually use my 18mm rotary cutter when trimming on my PP blocks. I have a small pair of Fiskars scissors to trim off thread.
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Kitsie

If you are talking about cutting out the template using freezer paper, I use a "less than sharp" rotary cutter that I keep in the drawer just for paper cutting.

JanieH

As others have posted, I use my rotary cutter and add-a-quarter ruler for paper piecing.

As to scissors, Fiskars gets my vote. I bought a set of their children's scissors when I taught Kindergarten because so many parents sent scissors that were really hard for the kids to use. I used them for over 10 years and they went through a lot of cutting of paper with all those kids, both Kdgn. and later Pre-K. I passed them on when I retired and 11 years later the teacher is still using them. Now that's a testimonial!

kat13

I took a class from carol foal, the queen of paper piecing and she said yes you can use your sewing scissors!
And rotary cutter! Who knew?!