Deecee

Thanks for all your advice. I will do another block and use all your tips - I'm sure it will make it much easier.

I had decreased my stitch down to 2 but will take it down to 1.8 and backstitch within the seam allowance.

Here's a pic of my first attempt.

BellaBoo

Very nice. I like the pink fabric with the dark fabric. PPing is very addictive. Carol Doak has some great books with patterns. Also Quilt Pro website has free patterns and a new one everyday.

BlueChicken

That looks awesome, well done! It's very addictive once you get the hang of it. :-)

I use normal printer paper too, we don't get vellum here. I use a tiny stitch as well, and backstitch a couple at the beginning and end. I have tried folding the paper before removing it, and it definitely helps, but I find it just as easy to not fold.

Deecee

Had a second go - just did the same heart.

Used all the tips - smaller stitches, backstitching, folded paper and ran a pin down beside the stitching. ALL WORKED GREAT! SO MUCH EASIER!

Thanks for the help. Will also check out Quilt Pro website.

earthwalker

Deecee its lovely. Am yet to try this...maybe later this year...You can't stop now...I think there's a quilt "in there"

Deecee

What I actually have earmarked to try is a Judy Niemeyer New York Beauty type pattern.

I may work up to it but more likely just jump in. A few other things I am committed to finish first though.

Janstar

Looks great and everyone has already given you the best tips available!

Deecee

Next question:

I thought I would be able to use up small pieces of fabric but find I need to give myself a reasonable amount of lee-way so that when I flip I have everything covered plus seam allowance.

Is there a tip to judging size and placement of fabric or does this just come with practice.

Mari

I used Carol Doaks book 300 Paper-Pieced Quilt Blocks when I first started paper piecing. It came with a CD to download onto the computer, as well as an easy way to remove a page if one wanted to take it to a photocopier. In that book she provides cutting sizes for a four inch block,but if you want to make the block larger, which the software allows, you have to figure out the sizes to cut on your own. She recommends placing a thin piece of cardboard, like a postcard , on the stitching line and folding it over that for accuracy. crease and remove cardboard off course. Also cuts a 1/4" when another fabric is added.
When I first began, I was just gleefully cutting fabric on a wild guess. That was fun. But the project I am doing now, I decided to try my best to get a cutting measurement. I placed my ruler over the piece and added slightly more than the 1/4" and wrote it down and did the same for all the rest. So I had all the little pieces cut out . I placed them in small plastic boxes which I labeled with it's number on the pattern. I must say, it does take a little more attention to accuracy when doing it this way, and I need to struggle for the patience as I am a "ride the galloping horse" type, but I think I will continue on like this because if I am going to do several blocks, each one then becomes familiar to my brain. Did I make sense?
She also provided a hint as to how to deal with mistakes. Small tiny stitches are a pain in the wazoo to rip out. Her solution--place a piece of Magic Tape, made by Scotch, over the paper line on the front, turn over and gently lift the fabric and then lightly place your cutter on the exposed thread while pulling up. worked for me using a 28mm and the tape on the front was no problem when removing the paper.
I use a very small stitch, #14 needle, usually do a stay stitch or two at the end , and tracing paper, which I bought on the web from a school supply store 500 sheets ought to last a long time. It removes easily and I can also see through it.

Teacher

In recent months I have been trying PP using very light weight interfacing. (In the Uk they sell this under the Vilene trademark, I think that it may be Pellon in the US, but not sure about Australia.) You dont remove it at all so you dont have any of the fiddle. It does add a fraction of weight to your work, but that doesnt seem to be a disadvantage. The teacher who taught me to do this has been using this method for years without any problems. I dont know if anyone else has a thought about this? Happy New Year Everyone by the way1