Why is paper piecing so hard for me?
#32
Personally, I think that to be successful PPing, you need to be able to "see" and "think" backwards from the way we usually see and think when we piece a quilt. Rather like cutting and sewing by only looking in a mirror!!
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,991
Kitsie, the link you provided is the best one that I have ever seen and I think that I've seen them all! Thanks for sharing this and thank-you to everyone else who has tried to make the mastery of paper piecing a little less intimidating. Maybe one of these days I will "get it".
#34
Please try this way: http://www.twiddletails.com/store/in...age=page&id=21 So easy and very accurate! (I sew a few big stitches to help hold the paper for the first piece)
The thing Judy M. did different though is she used the sewing machine to perforate the paper which eliminates that "crease the paper on the lines" step. To do that I just print my pattern using my printer. Then I use that printer paper as my pattern and machine "sew" along the pattern lines with a non threaded needle to pierce the paper. (I staple together 8 correctly sized freezer paper sheets under the paper pattern so that don't get any shifting.) If the waxy side of the paper is against the machine bed and is causing problems you can just add a blank piece of printer paper on the bottom to help it glide easier. Set a fairly short stitch but not so close that your paper falls apart at the perforated lines! Once it is all "sewn" release the printer paper sheet on the top from the staples by pulling it off carefully to be used again. I can use it 3 to 4 times before it needs re-printed. Next, on the stack of freezer paper, I cut out on the outside line of the block shape still leaving the staples in to prevent shifting. Finally, remove the staples and you have 8 blocks done with no need to pre-crease the paper. The perforated lines make it easy to fold as you go along. Hint: if your foot is sticking to the waxy side of the FP while doing the construction of the block, just slip a narrow strip of paper between the FP and your foot so that the foot will glide smoothly.
A few days ago I posted a quilt that I paper pieced using the Night and Day block. That has 4 PP sheets per block. So, each time I stapled and sewed I was completing two full blocks for that quilt. If you would like to see it, it is in the Pictures section.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 353
I've tried paper piecing several times and don't like it at all. Hate the fabric and the time that I'm wasting trying to do it.
I like the idea of cutting each section individually and adding 1/4" I never thought of doing that, might try it the next time our Quilt Guild offers a paper piecing project.
I like the idea of cutting each section individually and adding 1/4" I never thought of doing that, might try it the next time our Quilt Guild offers a paper piecing project.
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Southeast Georgia
Posts: 2,526
My problem when I was beginning, was that I wanted to cut the scraps like they were pattern pieces----NOT! After I figured out that, even if it wasted fabric, I'd just have to bite the bullet and waste it. Now I justify the waste with the beautiful points I make! You can do it. Just keep trying.
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