help with paper piecing
 

Hi folks - Just finished my first 4 block paper pieced doll quilt but lost all my points in trimming. I was super careful in trimming seams and sewing on the lines and didn't remove the paper until after I had finished sewing but when trimming the blocks to the required 6.5", all the points were gone. I squared each block as I made them.

Loved paper piecing but not happy with the result at this moment. Any input would be welcomed.

Thanks:thumbup:

Can you post a picture so we can see what went wrong? Did you perhaps cut off the 1/4" seamline marked around the entire edge of your blocks? That's what I did when I did my first paper piecing project.

If you're sewing on the lines you shouldn't lose any points at all. Did you accidentally trim off the outer seam allowance? Make sure the paper pattern is the right size to start with.

This is my guess, too; that you trimmed to the seam line rather than providing for the seam allowance. Paper piecing is fiddly enough without extra frustration.

Also make sure there IS the outer 1/4 line marked! I've seen patterns where there was no seem allowance lines draw; in that case draw an outside line around the block pattern 1/4 inch from the sewing line and do not cut that away.

I have to agree with everyone else; either you didn't add the 1/4" seam allowance to the outer edges of the pattern or you cut it off. I always add an extra 1/2" minimum to the outer edges of my paper pieced patterns so I know I have enough seam allowance when done. I make sure my fabrics go all the way to that newly added seam allowance.

Hi, thanks 4 all your replies. I did keep the pattern attached through attaching the blocks together. If I had squared them up to 6 3/4" they would have been perfect. What I'm asking is why, when you are following all the lines in the pattern that it would come up short. I guess I'll just try more blocks and see what happens.

It sounds like the pattern wasn't the correct size when printed. If you're printing the pattern from your personal printer make sure it's set to "actual size". Most patterns have a small square, usually 1", printed within the pattern to check that the measurement is correct. Please post a picture of front and back if possible.