PP is the way to go - especially when one does not have a 1/4" foot! If tearing off paper is a problem, try a smaller stitch length, tracing paper, or foundation fabric (aka muslin).
Searching internet for "paper piecing" finds several tutorials. For free patterns, I like paperpanache.com, blockcentral.com and quilterscache.com.
And yes, the pillow was paper pieced.