I used computer paper so I'll see how it come off. Looks like it's going to be hard to get off. I goofed up.

Hey Groovy I love yours

I always use computer paper and a small stitch length.

OK, your block is beautiful, excellent fuzzy cutting!

I've been using printer paper for years- shorten the stitch length and it tears away like *dotted* paper. don't worry about little bits caught in seams they will (wear away, wash away, disappear) I have used Carol Doak foundation paper off & on but If I don't have any printer paper works fine. I remove my papers when I have the completed block finished- if you take it off the sections before you put them together you loose the 'match points' that help you line everything up. since I am adding my setting triangles to the blocks I don't have to worry about match points to join them into a quilt so I can go ahead & remove the papers- if I were not adding the setting triangles I would leave the paper at least around the edges for stability and match points for completing the blocks. that's just the way it works best for me.

ckcowl, I'm working exactly like you, leaving the paper on for joining points.

One thing I do is when I'm pressing the sections after joining and before joining the halves together, I take off the paper in the seam that is on the underside of the pressing....i press everything to one side and make a swirl in the center. Those are the very hardest to take off and it reduces the bulk in the center seam. I did sew from the center out on my last PP and was more successful with getting the seams to match in the center. I use the doodle pad from Walmart, 60 pages for $2. I do have to trim 1/4 inch off the side but it does work well

Wow! I just had a look at all the blocks posted. They are all lovely. When are we to start posting the second block? I don't want to fall behind, 'cause I know I will never catch up if I do. LOL

the posting for the second block for this month will be the 17th...

GGal, if there's a DOLLAR TREE store nearby go there for their pad paper...60/1.00...works fine for me...

All this talk about what papper to use since we started ... started me thinking about the "perfect" paper - tears easy, translucent, can withstand repeated sewing lines (in the event of oopsies - see my last paragraph) ...

I've used Carol Doaks and it's OK. Mostly I use plain copy paper with a small stitch length and I have no problem tearing it away, but I would like more translucency to see the placement of the pieces (I'm using dark heavy fabrics).

So yesterday I investigated the paper stash here at the office. I work for a company that makes large overhead cranes, so we have a ton of engineers and a ton of engineering drawings. The drawings are on transluscent paper ... BIG sheets of paper (think blue print size).

I found the paper and quizzed one of the engineers on how to use it. He walked over to the BIG copy (laser) machine, pressed a button and presto-bango it printed. And here I thought they had a "special" printer for it - no it's a regular copier - just BIG. So ... if I trim the stuff down I should not have a problem feeding it through my laser printer. He rolled up about 20 sheets (each sheet is 34 x 22 - so that's 8 sheets each x 20 = 160) and I brought them home last night.

I'm waiting for them to post the September block so I can try it out :)

On the same subject ....

I keep the paper on the block to sew each unit together with a long basting stitch. I then flip and check to make sure I matched correctly, if so, I stitch again (over the baste) with a small stitch length (if not ...riiiip and re-baste). I then remove the paper JUST along the seam line and I press my seams open. I may trim some of the bulkier areas. The remaining paper stays in the block for now. Repeat with each successive unit until all 6 units are together. I then remove all of the paper and press the block to make sure it's flat (you really can't check for flatness with the paper intact).

Also on the same subject .... my *record* for the number of times I have sewn the same seam in paper piecing (because of a mis-placed piece of fabric) is NINE times. Not my proudest moment :)

Love all the blocks, each is so different!!! Thanks for letting us admire all your work!!!!

JuanitaBean, I removed the paper after each pie shape was complete (before I put the 6 pieces together). I did, however, cut the pie shapes exactly to size before I ripped the paper off. I have one rotary cutter that I reserve for using the blade on paper. I may pin next time, though, because if you look at my block you can see that I didn't get the sections perfectly matched up. And even worse, I put them together two-by-two which created one inset seam (stupid!).

Thanks for all your help. Got paper from .99 store Printed paper looks like its going to work. I got #1 & #2 done cutting out #3.

That's what I treasure about this group and QB; they truly help and extend their friendship to other quilters. They welcome questions and more people working in this project. You all are the greatest!

Yes trying to stay on top of this PP. I've never done a whole pp quilt before so I'm trying to stay on top of it. When will we get cutting instructions for #3 & #4. I tried but I was not sure if I was doing it right so I stopped. Thank you for all you guys help. I'm enjoying this so far.

Omg...what wonderful blocks so far. I haven't been able to get online much but just did some catch-up reading and hope to get started on my blocks real soon. I have been shopping my small stash and see some possibilities. Just have to wait until my shoulder is well enough to use my rotory cutter, soon I hope. Until then I'll just follow along and enjoy all your beauties.
Hugs
Gail

i use computer paper, it comes off ok if you fold it back and forth a couple of times at the seam line.
i leave the paper ON when sewing the sections together, then remove it from the seam lines .

the first 5 blocks are available on the site- September (block 6) will probably post soon...on the website they started in April- so our first 2 we are making in September are 'April & May' on the site. if you successfully copied the first 2 you are doing it right- go get more anytime. some of us printed off all of them that were available in the beginning- will add as they are added to the site.

Juanita--if you are looking for measurements of blocks #3 and #4, Mirabelle is at a retreat this weekend so will probably post them when she returns. I know she has the first 6 blocks all done.

My two sweet Grandchildren are in school now so I was able to be in my craft room and did block two. Just have to stitch the six pieces together.

Update on my "perfect paper" quest ...

The paper I brought home from work is absolutely PERFECT for PP. It's translucent so I can see even dark fabrics, it's heavy enough to withstand multiple stitching, and it pulls apart cleanly and easily after folding along the stitched line.

Only one problem.

I could not get it to feed through my laser printer OR my ink jet printer.

DRAT!!!

I asked my IT guru here at the office why it wouldn't work at home ... so we went and looked at (and dissambled) the giant copy machine and basically the feed mechanism is much different than on most machines. It uses a solid 52" take up roller.

DRAT!!

Finally, after much frustration this afternoon, I finished block one:[ATTACH=CONFIG]434442[/ATTACH]Might be 'candles' in center of the green flowers; whatever you see it as...that's ok with me 'cause I am finished with it!! For now. Will add sides later.

Center I treated just like the stack and whack, stopped on the one-fourth seam allowance from point and let it swirl around in the center underneath; nice and flat that way. No hammer needed to pound the center out flat as some do and seem to enjoy the exercise. POW!POW! LOL!:D:thumbup::thumbup:

Hey, everyone. Room for one more?....here is my color palette. I just completed washing them all. Got patterns printed. I do NEED to complete my Boom 10 swap....got 9 more blocks to do...I think I can get most done this weekend....or might start this?!?!?!

More the merrier!! Go for it. Post your first block and go! Welcome.

QNS it looks like you nailed it sans hammer! Looks great.
Sure alikat join in.
After finishing my block I have decided to bow out. I'd rather be sewing other things than PP'ing these blocks. I know QE--what can I say?

QuiltingNanaSue your block is beautiful love your fabric and color choices!!!!! I like it better than mine :)

Welcome Alikat, your colors are gorgeous.

Qns- that turned out beauuuuutifullllllll!

Will miss your beautiful blocks Gladdie; but do stay and give us encouragement.

QNS, that turned out just beautiful!

Alikat, welcome! Great fabrics :)

OK, sorry to see you 'go'. Like kwiltkwazy said, stay and encourage us on our journey.

Love your color choices Alikat. Welcome

NinaSue :D :D :D it is beautiful!!!

QNS ... very pretty. I never would have guessed that you are struggling with vision problems. The green 'swirl' you have looks like a darker color way to the fabric I'm using. Is your's a fabric from the Hoffman Challenge group a few years back?

Yes, No, DHM, it was in my stash; have another piece similar to that...liked the colors for my Grandmother's Garden by E. Burns pattern book a UFO that is two thirds done....flowers in 3D on quilt, queen sized. so I have a tub of light greens, medium greens,and dark greens. Same is true for light beiges, medium and dark, maybe for a tone on tone.

JeanieG, you are so right! I am so used to using a rotary cutter for all my cutting I forget about the original cutting tool for quilters. I am starting them right away. Thanks for the knock over the head I needed that. Printed out all patterns and am trying to make up my mind as to what color way I want for these Spikes. Keep the prettys coming I just love every one so far.
Gail

Very pretty QNS, I really like your colors. I had to use the seam ripper a lot on the 2 blocks I have made, so you are not the only one to rip-it. I threw one section away rather than rip.
Welcome to all the newcomers, glad you are along for the ride.

GrannyQ, I would have never guessed that you had to use your seam ripper. Love the way you use your colors and get a perfect form to you block. If I go slowly enough, I make less mistakes; check things twice then sew or cut. Or walk away for a break and then come back to it. I find I am 'still' learning, too, and hints passed along, I stop read and think... "now why didn't I think of that??"

QNS, I use that darn seam ripper a lot, sometimes too much. Sometimes it is easier just to leave the sewing alone for awhile and go back later. I really enjoy seeing every ones sewing projects even if I can't comment at the time they are shown. I was hoping to get a lot done last week and next week but I've had diverticulitis for 2 weeks now. Spent 4 hours in ER. So don't know how or if I will catch up on all of the spike blocks. On my blocks I just use the stack & whack method. Next Monday I see a surgeon & find out if i will be having surgery for a lumpectomy or more, may have to have chemo & radiation. Not looking forward to that at all. We won't know how DH treatment are working until sometime next month. DS is doing much better from his triple by-pass. He is hoping to go back to work before long. Hope your eye surgery goes well for you, my prayers are with you, I have a friend that is also going to have cataracks (sp) next month, she also is blind in one eye.