I am self taught; my dh is good at pp and told me I did not know how to pp. I am doing the Spike Your English blocks with our QB BOM group (free patterns from
www.quiltingonthesquare.com )...and he has to agree they turn out right. I simply trace the pattern on the back of the pattern piece, so I can see where I am suppose to sew the seam. I use Elmer's stick glue to glue the first piece into place on the printed side and sew from the back side. I do the recommended size for each one because one lady figures out all the measurements and post them for everyone of the group to use.
I also am doing the 50 Fab Stars, program through Foundation that features Carol Doak's paper piecing and her book on 50 Fab Stars. She also explains the right way to paper piece, and gives measurements to cut each piece of fabric. I have found you must try it to be able to do it. (Lots of videos out there on u-tube.) With the small pieces, I cut one pattern up into pieces, paste on to thin cardboard and add seam allowance and use them as templates to paper piece with, trimming by folding back on the seam line after doing each piece and a small ruler as a guide. I did a tutorial on the Star site on how to do the centers and Carrie (the leader) thought it was great.