Don't be stingy with the size of your fabric pieces. remember that PP does use up extra fabric. It all gets cut away so don't worry about that issue. I also sue PP paper, not copy paper. Everyone has their own opinions about the paper you use so try different paper and use the one you like best.
Do you use a light to see through the paper and help you align the fabric?
I had trouble with angled pieces untill i started using larger pieces of fabric.
Hope this helps some. Keep trying a few more times and if you find it to fustrating, don't torcher yourself with it and try something else. Go back to it after some time away from it.
peace