Some quilt patterns come with paper patterns. You sew right on the paper. It keeps your seams very accurate. After you sew a section, you rip off the paper. It is good for intricate patterns. Also for patterns with very small pieces. Sometimes you can download patterns and print them off with your printer. Usually when you buy them the patterns are on very thin paper, like dress patterns.
You either like paper piecing or you hate it.
There are about five or six steps involved.
You start out with a piece of fabric larger than the part of the pattern you are working on. You add the next piece and sew. Then you trim off the extra fabric, and add the next piece. It can help you make intricate patterns, but it can also be tricky and frustrating. Hard to explain until you've tried it. :?
I am working on one right now that was created in EQ6 (the computer program for creating quilt designs.) It is very beautiful and it is very frustrating. If I don't loose my mind it will be beautiful when I'm finished. :wink: