The first time I tried PP I had myself thoroughly confused. It took some time to get my head around the regular PP technique where the pattern is printed on the top side of the paper but the fabric is UNDER the paper. Of course you have to pay attention that the fabric is in the correct orientation AND large enough to cover the piece. I finally got it but I didn't like ripping the paper - I didn't have my stitch length small enough.
Now I sometimes use freezer paper on the TOP of the fabric. I perforate the pattern with an old needle first so I can bend the pattern as needed. I use the zipper foot to sew along the paper. No ripping and I get similar results.