Easiest way to learn to PP???
 

Ok so I'm ready to learn to paper piece and yes I have watched Youtube tutorials and have magazines and I'm still waiting for it to make since. This is that time when I get it I'm going to scream "duh"! Ok so my question is for all that know how and do PP on a regular basis what resource is the best for a beginner? I really don't want to buy a book, we are military and our moves have weight limits so I really avoid buying books for quilting. I'm a visual person but for this I guess I need the PP for dummies tutorial!! lol TIA

Maybe this will help. Paper with pattern side up. Cut sec. 1 fabric at least 1/4" larger all the way around - rough is fine. Place fabric for section 1 wrong side fabric to wrong side paper. Pin in place. Cut sec. 2 fabric at least 1/4" larger all the way around of THAT section. Place sec. 2 fabric right side to right side of fabric #1. Pin in place. Sew on line between section 1 and 2. Fold paper back completely to stitching. Place cutting edge of ruler 1/4" past stitching (folded edge of paper) and trim. Fold paper flat again. Fold section 2 fabric flat (press if you like) so that section 2 of pattern is covered on back. Follow same process with remaining sections of fabric as you did for section 2. I think for me the hardest concept to grasp was that fabric #1 is placed with wrong side to the paper and all subsequent sections of fabric are placed right sides together. I would begin by cutting your fabric pieces WAY larger than you think you need. I've developed the habit of pinning on the sewing line and then folding fabric back just to make sure it really is going to cover the entire section. Then placing the piece the way I described above and sew. I know people swear by Carol Doak but I could never get it from her books. I finally took a class and all became clear. Hope this helps. You're welcome to PM me if you need more help.

The easiest and best way to learn .... is to ............ START!
Just jump in the driver's seat and get at it!!

That's what I did when I started PPing, less than a year ago ... just got at it!!!
Like you, I'd read a lot, and even had a few tastes of it at quilting classes, and nothing clicked. Honestly, a year ago I would have told you it was a useless technique and no I'd never do it. Then along came, something that I wanted to do ... and now, I really enjoy PPing. I see it as Dot-to-Dot meets Paint-by-Numbers!

I started with QuiltersCache.com and used their tutorial and basic blocks. Then went on from there.

As with other quilting techniques ... remember there is no one way or the highway method of doing PPing.
You'll discover that there are many different suggestions that will be made ... all can be right, but may not be right for you!

As you go, you'll develop your own style, but if you don't START, that'll nevber happen!! :)

Have FUN!

Carol Doak is probably the best paper-piecing teacher around. She's written several books and this is a really good one for beginners: http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Machine-P...1572886&sr=8-2

She has a yahoo group, too - it's named CarolDoakQuiltingGroup

I started on Carol Doaks site she has some free patterns and when i had an issue I took my project to the LQS and got great help. She is well known for PP

Your public library is an excellent resource for books you can use and don't have to purchase, store or move. They have many quilting books. Good luck.

Try this...you never even have to sew thru the paper!

[url]http://www.twiddletails.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=21[/url

on this page http://www.caroldoak.com/free-quilt-patterns.php, scroll to Introduction to Paper Piecing. Carol offers this for free to teachers in their classes and the rest of us. I learned on this one just recently. other posters gave me some great tips on this thread http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...g-t180996.html
hope this helps

Honestly it is just the easiest thing to pull up a utube vid of pping and sew along with it. that is my best advise or maybe if you have a quilting friend near by maybe make an afternoon of it. if you are worried about questions that you might have. I have only been quilting for about 2 years now and have only recently ppd a couple of quilts and they were easier than i thought they would be. it is a little like paint by number.

I agree with QuiltE...
The easiest and best way to learn .... is to ............ START!
Just jump in the driver's seat and get at it!!

try it more than once to get the hang of it.

I am taking an online pp class from Craftsy- work at your own pace, class never expires. I waited for a half price sale on the class. It is excellent! m

I wish I could offer you some help. I read and read the instructions and just could not wrap my brain around it. Then a co-worker showed me how to do it. TA-DUH the lightbulb went on and now I prefer to paper piece. It is really easy, but I learn better by having someone show me how to do it. I "overthink" it sometimes. I have trouble reading instructions and then doing it with any patterns....but if someone can show me, I get it.

I didn't get all the tutorials and diagrams and instructions in books either. The more I studied it the least sense it made so I took a class at LQS. Absolutely picked it right up and have been hooked ever since! My advice, TAKE A CLASS IN PP! You won't regret it! And no added weight to your next move. Lol

Dont' feel alone, I did the same thing and just didn't get it until someone showed me the way and let me start one piece at a time. It is a Duh moment once you figure it out but there are some things that just don't come across in written words. Just go to your LQS and ask for a brief lesson, I'm sure they'd be happy to accommodate you in this. Good Luck!

Thanks! I have honestly tried before I will take your advise and try again tomorrow since it's getting late tonight. I have been quilting for 10 years, never been interested til this year. I found a quilt I want to make but want to master this first!! Thanks for all the great information!!

Peggy Martin has a class on Craftsy.com called "Quick-Strip Paper Piecing". The easiest method I've seen so far. She gives step by step directions and full patterns are included.

The youtube tutorials are sufficient to get you started I did it from that alone, just jumped right in, don't be afraid you can do it, its not difficult just tedious, you don't need a book because the tutorials on you tube are like taking a class, you can see it visually rather than in pictures in a book. I believe you can do it and that you are just lacking confidence in yourself. just get an easy free pattern from one of the many free websites and put the pedal to the metal

these are the 2 tutorials I have watched
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdYS1hzPX1o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmC62...eature=related

And the add a quarter ruler is awesome buy the way

English PPing was the only quilt method I ever used until I got my ma hine early lSt year... i used to produce one quilt a year!!! i havent done any since... Though now I cant sit and quilt it might be an idea to go again temporaily...

Its really easy.. And its NOT just hexagons..... there isnt a block I cant make using this method... Just draw the block, cut it out wrap the fabric and stitch together.... Its totally addictive... And best of all you can take it anywhere with you..

I love how perfect the lines and points are with it! Far superior to my machine piecing....

There are some really good resources out there, on the interenet, borrow books from your library, or hook up with another local PPer for hints tips and advice...

I use the twiddletails method and Love it. I didn't like having to tear off paper, sewing thru paper, I am space challenged and had problem cutting fabric the right size to cover the area to be covered, etc etc and ended up very frustrated BUT with the method at twiddletails it was super easy for me and I now love to paperpiece.

I'm a newbie but when I wanted to learn paper piecing I looked for tutorials on line. The one from Connecting Threads taught me how to do it. It's very clear.

go to carol doak and she has some free patterns she is really great I think she has a help section too

Miss Sandra has it right. Carol Doak is the Queen of PP and is quite clear. Start with something simple. IMHO, Dresden Plate is about as easy as you can get. In my guild, even those who hated the idea of PPing were successful PPing plates for a fundraiser we did. The hardest part is getting used to thinking backwards.
1. When you position a piece, hold it up to a bright light to see if it is right. You might even pins and "open" it to see if it will fit.
2. Allow yourself plenty of fabric or precut your pieces.
3. Don't try it on a day that is already going badly.
4. It does seem like a lot of work, but the improved accuracy is worth it. (BTW, my first PPing project was a Mariner's compass for a friend who was dying. I got thru it in 2 days, but I strongly recommend against doing that.)