Oh, redstilettos, you're singing my song! I bought that pattern too, and almost had a coronary when I saw the instructions! I've also never done any paper piecing, but fell in love with those placemats. I asked at my weekly "sit and sew" if anyone had ever done a Judy Niemeyer pattern and could offer some advice, and I was told to see if there was a Quiltworx class in the area.
So discouraging...not sure that I want to take a class - if there is one - just to make placemats.
I'll be looking forward to seeing what people have to say here.