This was the first paper pieced quilt I made for which I did take a class at my LQS.
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Pic.../dp/188097262X. I tried learning to paper piece on my own but had a really hard time wrapping my head around the 'upside down and backwards' concept, lol. Guess I'm more of a visual learner. At any rate, once the concept was shown/explained to me in the class, I was fine and now have no issues with any paper piecing projects. In fact I'm doing a king size hunters star pattern now. But yes, did need to go buy more fabric because there is
lots of waste - no matter how efficiently you cut your pieces - with paper piecing in general.
If this is a new skill for you, try going to quilterscache.com and look at some of their paper pieced blocks/quilts. Watch some youtube videos to get the hang of it. Do a table runner for your first project vs a large quilt. Hone those skills first and then jump in!