wolph33

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uaW26igygE I found this tute

rainagade

I watched this tute and it is very helpful. She makes the entire block, trims it too.
she does have pieces of fabric that look to be "wasteful". If you are a crazy quilter put them in a box for later!

I am making a New York Beauty from mostly Kansas Troubles fabrics. The hard part is deciding how scrappy and what goes fabrics go where.

fireworkslover

I learned how to paper piece from a book by Valori Wells. I've made many PP quilts . I never enjoyed spending an hour or more picking off the paper from each block. I discovered how to use freezer paper instead of regular paper. You iron the fabric to the freezer paper and since it sticks, you don't need to use pins to hold everything in place. Plus at the end, you only carefully peel the freezer paper off the back side of your finished block. Viola! No paper to pick off. Instead of sewing on the line, you first fold all your lines back using an index card to fold against. Then when you come to sew your #1 and #2 pieces together, line them up, right sides together, fold back on the line of your first seam and make sure you have 1/4" seam allowance sticking out, as well as above at the ends of the strips. Flip the freezer paper open again and I put in 1 pin to hold it. Then iron the #1 piece w/ the freezer paper folded open, remove the pin. Now your fabric is stuck to the freezer paper. Take your block to your sewing machine, fold back the pattern on the line between # 1 & #2, and stitch right next to the fold. An open toe foot is very helpful here. One other thing is I don't cut pieces for each #, I use a strip cut the width I need to cover each section. Measure across the block at it's widest point (perpendicular to the seam line) and add 5/8" for 2 seam allowances plus a smidge. Keeping the pattern folded back, place on pressing surface fabric sides up, press to set the seam, then open out the pattern, press the new piece open. Now the new piece is stuck to the freezer paper. Back to cutting mat. Fold back the next seam line, trim fabric w/ 1/4" ruler making your next seam allowance. Line up your next fabric strip right sides together with the seam allowance you just cut, making sure to have at least 3/8" at the top ends of the strips. I don't usually pin, just bring to the machine and sew next to the fold. Repeat the pressing procedure. Each time you iron the new piece open, it now sticks to the freezer paper, eliminating the need for pins. Using strips solves the problem many seem to have: cutting a piece too small or way too large. If your pattern has lots of triangles you will have some wasted fabric. I use both ends of the strip to save some length if the fabric doesn't have a directional print. I also use freezer paper in sheets I can put right thru my printer, 50 pgs./pkg. www.cjenkinscompany.com You can use a pattern piece more than one time as well. I got 6-7 uses before the shiny side no longer worked. I hope this helps. If you have any questions PM me or send me a question on here, so others can learn too.

wildyard

I like most foundation piecing, but paper piecing is NOT for me. LOL...... after a week of trying, the frustration, stress and waste was just too overwhelming and I decided that is just not something I am going to be doing. As a rule, I don't really care for the choppy look of the finished project anyway.
I do admit freely that some of the blocks are absolutely stunning, and I envy those who can create them. But no, I am not going to be one of those lucky ones. I will develop my creativity in other ways. Smiles and hugggggggggggs

tlpa

I know what you mean...I love the paper piecing, absolutely hated the english paper piecing....I STILL haven't done the 2nd block and think I just may make one of the other blocks in it's place. I just can't make myself do it...