Sephie

I'm new to foundation paper piecing, but I've been reading about it for years. I've read so many wonderful posts from the board members, blog posts, tutorials, watched videos, and made exactly 2 (super easy) paper pieced blocks before I tried this one. I read the entire thread on Carol Doak's Fabulous 50 Stars and drooled the entire time, and ckcowl's quilt in particular just jumped out at me screaming "make something like me now now now!" It's taken several years, but I finally got the time and inspiration to make a block from the Fabulous 50 Stars book.

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Things I've learned that worked for me:

1) Using a stitch length of 1.2 worked to perfectly perforate copy paper.

2) Glue stick to hold down piece 1 is awesome.

3)After gluing down piece 1, fold all around piece 1 so that you've pre-folded the lines. Trim the seam allowance before adding piece 2 so you know exactly what angle and where to place the piece. That add-a-quarter ruler was a cheap and absolutely useful gadget!

4) Double sided tape to hold down piece 2 is doubly awesome - just don't sew over it!

5) Keep the paper on the units until after the block is assembled. Take the paper out of the first stitched seam allowances before joining the second seam. I was way more accurate than if I took the paper off first. I read somewhere where it said it was easier to ease the joins without the paper, but boy that did not work for me at all even with a million pins.

6) Don't use pins. Use small dots of Elmer's glue and iron to set. Full of win.


Any other tips? I can see why people love to paper piece. This was really fun and really rewarding even if it took multiple hours!

Tartan

Lovely block! You can’t beat PP for accurate blocks but they are a lot of work.

QuiltnNan

good job and thanks for your tips

Jingle

Beautiful block and great colors.

Watson

Lovely!

Watson

eparys

I love foundation paper piecing . I do it all the time. Here is one other tip ...

QTips!! Yes I said QTips - when removing the paper I moisten a Qtip and run it down the seams. By the time I am done, the paper under the stitches has softened and with out tugging removes easily

SusieQOH

Using a glue stick is a great idea! I didn't think of that. I find PP hard but I need to practice more.
Your block is absolutely gorgeous! You'd got this thing!
I have all of Carol's books and her Craftsy video and Peggy Martin's. I really need to get going on PP

Doggramma

I use an index card to help bend back the paper when you're going to trim the fabric edge to 1/4 inch before adding the next piece.

Jordan

Your block is beautiful and thank you for the great tips

joyce888

That's so pretty. I learned the same tips when I took a FPP class. I have Carol's book and I've yet to make one. Yours is very inspirational.