thanks for the info. I'll just worry about fabrics as needed. I usually pull fabrics to set aside for a project but have a large enough stash to not worry about it at this point LOL

I learned pp'ing from watching a carol Doak video...really excellent
I am sure yahoo has some good videos also, it is not hard to do but there is a right way to do it...I was doing it the hard way before I watched the video... Have fun

i can't provide any advice about piece sizes.
i just used EQ to produce the foundation patterns.
i didn't use paper piecing to make the block.

each page of the file provides the foundations necessary for one quadrant of the block.
four quadrants, hence four pages.
cut them out along the solid outer lines.
after you have pp'd them, sew them together as they are laid out in the file.

Thanks Patrice and Difergie. I WILL master the paper piecing technique. I did spend a lot of time on the Internet last night researching the paper piecing technique and did find that Carol Doak's video the most helpful. Today I am going to practice, practice, practice until I get it fused and quilted into my brain. :D

Watch out Caroline..it can be addicting!!

Just want to tell you that Carol Doak's method is probably the best but that's how I learned. It took a little getting used to it but once you get it, you got it. I enjoy pp-ing but not something I do constantly. But, when I do it, I haven't forgotten how.

I have the "Add-a-Quarter" ruler which really helps with trimming and aligning your next piece. And a tip -- I happen to have a very thin ruler but a thin, stiff card or template plastic would be perfect for helping to crease your line. If I can find a tutorial, I'll post it.

ok, found a basic Carol Doak tutorial. this is how I learned and it works for me. You will see where the paper is folded back to make room to trim the excess.

http://www.caroldoak.com/weblog/?p=928

I need to improve on Y seams. I always hand sew them. I printed the templates but they printed without the seam allowance. What am I doing wrong. I printed the templates from this board not QCache.

check your print settings in adobe acrobat reader.
depending upon your printer make, model and age, it's possible that clicking the "advanced" button and selecting "print as image" will solve your problem.