I purchased the Kimona quilt pattern, It looks easy, Do I cut peices that would fit the diagram peice. or should i use strips of fabric

I've always cut each piece bigger so as to have plenty of overlap. For example for a 4 inch triangle piece (after sewn), I would cut a 5 1/2 inch square and then cut on the diagonal.

Judy Niemeyer did a great job in her instructions regarding how big to cut each piece and it didn't waste much at all. Carole Doak in her book about stars also gives good measurements.

As you practice, I promise you will get better at judging the sizes. I started with PP heart patterns that I found free online, just to practice. I made my niece a doll quilt and one left over made a potholder. Honestly, it just takes practice as does most different parts of quilting!

I have only done star designs, so have used strips that were cut 1/2" wider than the widest portion of the shape. You cut it off the strip after it's sewn and pressed. I've made New York Beauty and others that didn't have names, but are variations of that and one that was a variation of the pineapple block. I learned from a book by Valori Wells, "Radiant New York Beauties". She gives good instructions and gives you ideas for the quilting too. If I'm drawing my own patterns, I use tracing paper. It tears off easier than reg. paper I put thru my printer, and use a thin Sharpie marker. I would think it would work in your printer too though. I make Art Quilts, so have gotten some very narrow tiny points. On a couple smaller star blocks, I used only a 1/8" seam allowance, since the pieces were so small, like doing a miniature quilt. There is absolutely no way I would ever attempt these patterns without them being pp.

I have a topic on here titled "Fireworks quilt blocks pieced". That whole quilt was pp, except for the 2 smallest star circles which were fused. Too many pieces and too small to sew - 216 in a 6" & 7.5" diameter circle.

I did a baby quilt a few yrs ago with PP that had modes of transportation (which also had the error one of the horses legs was too fat did not see until done. I have a log cabin which is a on going project. I love doing PP as I can not make designs line up and it just seams easier to get right with PP.

Like the precision of paper piecing. Did Christmas cards last year.

I recently learned to paper piece in a class. Love it!!!!

I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Paper piecing once I got the hang of it.

I have just begun paper piecing and I like it a lot!

I am on my last row of paper piecing a hunter star quilt. Looks great.

Love,love,love paper piecing. Especially Judy Neimeyer patterns. I never thought I could get such perfect points. I look at the finished quilts and I am amazed at the perfection, with so little frustration. If I can figure out how to post a picture here I would love to show off my Hawian Star pattern.
I also live in Pa. Bucks County