If you are doing paper piecing do you square up your blocks before you put them together? Or do they sometimes need squaring before adding them to the overall project? Hopefully this makes sense. I am new to paper piecing and wasn't sure.

Thanks,
Jessica

Yes I square them all up before sewing them together :D:D:D

So even tho you trim the paper pieces they still need squaring before adding more of them together?

on most of my paper peice patterns there are lines around the outside of the block also- joining lines (seam lines) and cutting lines- to square up the blocks. i keep my blocks as neat as possible as i go along- less distortion and bulky build up to deal with when joining.

i've never had to square a paper pieced block. the joining lines keep everything square and all the points perfect.

i don't remove the paper until i'm ready to put the top together.

I trim the block to the outside line of the design, but as far as "squaring" them up, I have not found it necessary.

When you print your first copy, check to see if there is any distortion. If there is, use a pencil and recreate the lines so the block is square. (Sometimes the printer will distort lines slightly.) Check your first printed block from that copy, if it is fine print them all. If you do this and take your time to carefully sew on your lines, then don't remove your paper til completion of the quilt you will be fine and squaring won't be needed.

You square each block before assembling while the paper is still attached. I use the lines on the paper to square from.

To get through thick seam allowances, I have trimmed the seam allowances off the paper but squared up 1/4" off the paper. This leaves the paper out of the seams but still had my lines to on the paper to keep everything lined up.

Nope. The paper patterns have the cut line and they pretty much match up perfectly. I've never had to square up any of my paper pieced blocks.

I have found a couple of the PP patterns on quilters cache are a bit shy. I made the block Geese all around for a block swap and almost all of my 12 1/2" unfinished blocks were about an 1/8" shy so I simply blocked them and they all came out fine. I have not had to cut down a PP block other than the final cutting on the lines.