I used a book by Valori Wells titled: "Radiant New York Beauties", to learn paper piecing. She also gives ideas for machine quilting the patterns in the book, which I find helpful. I've also found it better to use tracing paper for the paper as it tears off much easier than regular paper. Newsprint also works well too. If you'll be using a larger pattern than your printer can print, then for sure use tracing paper to hand draw your pattern. You need a ruler and a thin Sharpie marker. Have fun and enjoy making sharp points. I would never attempt sharp points without paper piecing.