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Old 06-29-2010, 04:23 PM
  #22  
BKrenning
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Lake Wales, FL, USA
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Originally Posted by Minda
Originally Posted by BKrenning
It does get faster but a lot depends on the pattern you are paper piecing to begin with. For those that hate paper piecing or think they'll never get it--try an easier pattern. Don't start off with a Mariner's Compass. Start with Square in a Square or Log Cabin--chunky style--not the 10 layer 6" block. Odd angles still throw me off & I've been paper piecing for 6 years. I have found it speeds up my process to pre-cut my pieces to about the size I need and lay them next to my machine--chain piecing style. Chain sew several blocks and then cut all the chains & press out your seam with either a finger presser stick thing (forgot what it's called) or my favorite--the mini Clover iron. Have a pressing area right next to your machine so you don't have to keep getting up.

I don't use the fancy rulers to trim the seam allowances. I have my foundations all pre-folded so I just turn the block upside down, fold the paper back and eyeball trim with sharp little scissors that had better stay right by my machine or there is HE-double hockey sticks to pay!

I want to try the freezer paper method where you don't sew through the paper but haven't done it yet. Gotta get my inkjet printer hooked back up to print out the foundations. Not a good idea to run freezer paper through a laser printer.
What is the freezer paper method??
You print your foundation off on freezer paper or use the method in the link below but instead of sewing through the paper, you fold it back, trim the fabric to 1/4" and sew the next patch on. Then you press it out and the freezer paper "sticks" to the patch you just sewed. Fold the paper back on the next sewing line, trim fabric, lay on the next patch and do it again. When you're all done, the fabric is stuck to the paper but it just pulls off and you can reuse your foundation many times before the "stickiness" wears off.

I saw Judy Mathieson demonstrate it on Simply Quilts a long time ago. Here's a link to a simple version of what I saw her working on: http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/found-at-sea/index.html
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