Calling paper-piecers
 

Two questions:
1. Do you have any idea why some patterns are numbered in different
order? Is it so that the seams nest or what? I'll give you an example.
This is just a rough sketch of part of a pattern. Hope it's ok to post.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]566516[/ATTACH]

2. I have a paper-pieced pattern where they forgot to number it.
It has two rows of HST's on top and two rows on the sides. Do I
alternate one left to right and one right to left? Does it make
any difference? Hope it's clear.

Thanks for your help.

1. Yes, that can be done to make the seams nest. The seam allowances end up on the higher-numbered side, so your A and B would nest nicely, for example.

2. It depends what they're being attached to. It probably doesn't matter; worst case scenario, if you want to make the seams next you can just re-press them after removing the papers.

I've taken to always pressing HST seams open!

Why would you want to paper piece hst? In my mind quicker and easier to just cut to size, chain stitch, if possible and done......but I'm not a fan, and only do it on very complex piecing......and not often.....jmho

If that hst is so tiny that it is barely manageable to hold on to, it is best to paper piece. It is very exact and honestly I felt the same way until the results became clear.

I tried to machine-piece and it wasn't pretty. Too many small pieces.
By the time I sew a row I knew I had to PP. Much better now. :)

Sometimes the number corresponds with the fabric/color, not the order of piecing. You lay out your fabrics in the color order you want, number them then attach them in their corresponding place on the pattern.

Would you mind telling me about paper piecing half square triangles? I tried googling and kept coming up with the triangles that are drawn out in multiples on a sheet of paper? Is that your technique? I always have trouble with HST no matter how much I try and slow I sew, etc. Interested in an accurate technique.

Hmmm... I just googled paper pieced HSTs and I see what you mean slbram. Okay, take a piece of graph paper (or any paper for this test would work but the thinner the better because it will be easier to tear off) Draw your square being very very careful to be acurate. Now draw your diagonal line. You know that if you are piecing HST's you need two squares about 1 inch bigger than the final HST. So, cut those two squares and then cut them diagonally. Lay one on your paper, making sure that you have 1/4 inch or slightly less, over that diagonal line. Pin it in place. Now take the alternate coloured triangle, lay it over the first fabric, turn the whole piece over and stitch along the line. Open, finger press and check how you did. Is it more accurate?

I made a paper pieced double flying geese border for a quilt a few years ago. It was the only way to get it as accurate as it needed to be and even tho it was waaaaay more work than I expected, I am super happy with the result.

Sometimes PPing HSTs can give you far more precision, pointy points and can even be a lot faster.