Judy Niemeyer?
 

I've just started paper piecing. I love Judy Niemeyer's patterns. Is that something that a beginner could handle?

Those of you that have made one of her quilts do the patterns have the fabric measurements for each piece that is sewn?

Anything else I need to know?

Thanks!

I would do some samples such as pp'd hearts that you can find on the Internet for free first .... then it's going to depend on which of her patterns u pick...read thru the directions multiple times. My third quilt was mariners star....it was doable

No I don't remember sizes but do didn't really need them because with pp-ing u are trimming to the paper/Seam allowance which should keep consistency--but each piece did have a template that I guess u could measure and she does suggest cutting sizes -- many from strips

Judy's patterns are indeed gorgeous but I don't think I would recommend them to a beginner unless you took a class specific to her patterns. Just getting the pattern and looking at the pages of directions is enough to intimidate the most seasoned paper piecer. Of course you could do it but you may end up discouraged and frustrated to try some of hers as a beginner. Better to feel comfortable and consider yourself an intermediate so you have fun as well as end up with a beautiful quilt instead of WIP crammed into the corner of the closet.

I agree with luvspaper that you would do better to find some free patterns on the internet that are a bit more complex like New York Beauty or some of the free patterns on Silver linings originals and Carol Doak's websites.

http://www.caroldoak.com/free-quilt-patterns.php

http://www.silverliningsoriginals.com/b.html#free

http://www.lenzula.de/en/pattern/fre...rk-beauty.html

If you feel comfortable with some of the more complex patterns offered on these sites then by all means try a Quiltworx pattern.

My first paper piecing was from a Judy Niemeyer pattern, but I made it in conjunction with a class. I've since made quilts from her patterns with no real problems, other than trying to figure out which fabric corresponds to which pieces in the pattern. Once you know how to paper piece, the detailed directions in a pattern are not as necessary. She does give sizes for cutting the fabric pieces, which is very helpful. I have never done a Carol Doak pattern, but I have heard that her patterns and her books are easier to follow.

Neat! I'll check the links. Thanks!! I've been looking for more.

I did these from Carol Doak.

Since you have actually done some paper piecing, a Judy N. pattern is reasonable, especially if you can do it in a workshop, class, or other group setting with someone knowledgeable around to help.

I made a paper-pieced placemat, then did Golden Harvest (a throw-sized Judy Niemeyer pattern). I did it as a class at a retreat; the instructor explained the pattern and got us started, and then gave help as needed. She left after the first day, and we were all able to finish without any big problems.

I think it would be a lot to tackle on your own, as there is a lot to read and figure out, but if that's your thing, give it a try. Start with the smallest, simplest pattern you can find (maybe a table runner?), and after that you will be ready for anything.

One thing that makes her patterns both easier and more complicated is that cutting templates are included, so you get all the fabric pieces cut to a good size before sewing. The complicated part is that you have to separate the cutting templates from the sewing templates, and make sure you're working with the right one all the time. Once you get them sorted, it's not that hard.

I love your flowers!

No, I don't think JN patterns are for a beginner. I'd wait until you are a confident paper piecer.

I think gingerd's samples show proficiency at paper piecing.

Thanks ladies! I'm glad you like my flowers. I think I'll look into finding a table runner by JN. That's a great suggestion!

My LQS had done one of her patterns a few years ago. It was the log cabin pattern. Classes at the store are few and far between for something like that.

Off to find a table runner!

i agree, your 'practice' pieces look great. a beginner can do any pattern... just take it slowly and one step at a time. you may need to have your seam ripper at hand. good luck.

you can do anything you put your heart into. it a bit much for a beginner but one can do wonders. i took a class once and still haven't finished my project. my fault, just got busy and it was pushed to the side. then I moved. i will get back to it. only will say my teacher herself got confused. but she figured things out.

Here's the name of a Craftsy class for paper piecing that I really liked:
Paper Piecing the Quiltworx Dresden Plate with Jackie Kunkel. She uses the Judy Niemeyer style of paper piecing.

I took a basic paper piecing class. When I finished the class I saw a Judy Niemeyer quilt on the wall . I told the teacher I loved it , she said you can do it. It's repetition , repetion. I made it with out any trouble. I recommend you look at the pattern to see if it has a lot of repetion.

It's not the paper piecing part that is more challenging, it's that a lot of the completed peices have curves you have to sew together. If you are comfortable sewing curved peices together, then I don't think it would be a problem.

I've done a lot of garment construction, so I pretty much ignore the directions and put the curves together like I would if sewing on a sleeve, or something like that. In fact, I'm ignoring most of the directions as I thought it had way too much fabric waste for what you end up with. And when I got to that point, I decided to forgo doing it paper pieced too. I'm doing it like paper piecing, just not sewing on the papers.

I'm currently working on two versions of the Fire Island Hosta pattern. Just have the second half of the sawtooth leaf to put together and then it's just sewing the larger pieces (and all the curves) together. I'm not doing the larger version with the pieced scalloped border.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps8exhvls6.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psrwgtbyh8.jpg

Curved seams AND set in seams (aka Y seams) Almost all of her star quilts have Set in Seams.

Beautiful hosts!!

Hmmm.......I haven't done a "Y"........

I did a class by one of her certified teachers. It was great. We made the leaves pattern. You could make two. I made four and turned them into placemats. I thought the written directions were exceptionally written and I feel confident to do another of her patterns (another day, thank you!) because of the class instruction. I really like her work.

I will add that the pattern directions are very complete, and there is even paper cutting layout for the pieces to be paper pieced if you want to go that route. I was pulling mostly from my stash, and didn't have enough of some of the fabrics to use the cutting layouts. Since this is mostly triangles, I cut my fabric in strips and worked from the long strip, cutting and then turning it to use for the next triangle that color. With paper piecing, I don't pay any attention to bias. The Fire Island Hosta pattern I'm doing has mostly floating points, so it worked well as it does not matter if the point isn't in the exact location.

I've also got interested in doing a design by Jacqueline de Jonge. In fact, I picked the JN Hosta pattern as practice before trying the other. I've got the pattern and all the fabric for "Catch me if you Can". That one I will be using the papers, as the points have to be in the exact spot for it to look good.

I have started a couple of hers. She has table runners, table toppers, and other smaller projects that are also good if you want to start small. Here is her patterns webpage: http://www.quiltworx.com/patterns/

You Ladies have beautiful items.

I really don't have any desire yet to try PP.

There is a Craftsy class specifically teaching JN method: Paper Piecing the Quiltworx Dresden Plate. It is very helpful.

Ohhh, I'll look at that Craftsy class.

Thanks much

I strongly advise taking a class using pp, it is like sewing upside down and backwards and so much different that regular piecing. It can be a struggle at first, but with an experienced teacher you will get the hang of it. I love doing both techniques, actually. PP is messy, but worth it, in my opinion.

gingerd: not sure if she has something for beginner; but their are many people that have done tutorials on her patterns check youtube out this may help you with the process.

You're on your way, based on your wonderful flower samples. Nice work!

Love your flowers. I too love paper piecing but haven't tackled a JN pattern yet. I made this one as my intro to paper piecing, not knowing what I didn't know! [ATTACH=CONFIG]572070[/ATTACH]

Judy Niemeyer has YouTube videos of her cutting out the pattern and how to cut out the fabric to sew on your pattern I've made Fire Island Hosta. I absolutely love the way Judy Niemeyer does her paper piece patterns, if you're on sure start with a small project, maybe placemats but I think you will love it.
I won a 3 place ribbon at a local quilt show for my Fire Island Hosta Quilt.
It was the first paper pieced quilt, I ever made.

SherB that is a gorgeous piece! The black background allows your color choices to POP!!