|
I love how crisp paper pieced blocks look, and the intricacy of the designs one can achieve, but I always, inevitably, screw some step up. I looked at the tut here, and it has helped. However, my latest episode: I bought special foundation paper (which is sort of like interfacing in terms of the feel of it), and the first seam that I pressed made the foundation paper shrivel up! I didn't use steam, so what? Iron too hot?
Went on to finish it anyway, for practice, and the last two pieces I sewed on weren't large enough to cover the seam allowance. It's totally wonky and unusable. I will try again, but would appreciate any little tips. Thanks |
|
What brand of foundation paper did you use? I've never heard of that happening but I can understand why you'd be upset. Right now I am paperpiecing one of Norah McMeeking's elaborate "Bella Bella" designs and I have found a few templates that I cut a little on the small side .They have to be positioned just so to cover the seam allowance. I had to redo one section three times before I just went to the yardage, hacked off a more than adequate sized piece , and slapped it on there.I'll likely recut them all because the aggravation of removing those little stitches won't be worth it.ARGH!!!
There are wooden finger pressers that I've seen available . Here's a plastic one: http://www.softexpressions.com/Merch...Category_Code= You wouldn't even have to use an iron. I wouldn't chance an iron again if you're going to use up the remaining foundation sheets in the pack. One more thing...do you have a special Add a seam ruler for paper piecing? You can get them in 1/8" seams as well. You can find them here: http://www.softexpressions.com/Merch...Category_Code= I love the 1/8" ruler because it's more forgiving with odd shaped pieces. |
I'm scrappy so I just sew additional fabric onto the too short fabric. :0)
I fingertip/nail press and iron when done. Make sure you mark your paper with the color so you don't get confused. Also watch all the videos online. Try youtube for tutorials. Seeing it makes it so much easier. When all else fails, try the Carol Doak dvd. Join the yahoo group and work on her patterns or get some freebies from her website. If you have quilt software, print out the easiest patterns. There's a lot of pp available in Blockbase for instance. Don't give up! You're almost there, I promise. |
When I first started paper piecing, it was confusing for me but with a little practice, it gets easier..also when I first started I was doing one block at a time, now if I have 20 blocks I will do section #1 and then do #1 on the 2nd block chain piecing through all 20 blocks, hope I didn't confuse you even more...
|
I love paper piecing, you do not need to use special paper, copy paper works fine. However being that it's new for you, take your time try not to get too frustrated. First bit of advise be a little generous with your fabric sizes it will make your learning curve easier. Carol Doak website has some freebies and I believe a tut as well. Good luck and stay positive you will be fine.
|
I would not continue to use that paper if it is going to shrink...
You can print out an extra foundation and cut out each section, use these pieces upside down on your fabric as templates for your block pieces. Add a 3/8" seam allowance around each one for a little wiggle room :D:D:D |
I use non-iron on vilene (it is called tracing vilene here in Aus) and don't have any problems. I trace the pattern onto the vilene, do my piecing but I finger press seams as I go because ironing the vilene does make it wrinkle up. I now do most of my piecing this way, it is so accurate. I even adapt traditional patterns to foundation piece them accurately.
I can't be bothered tearing the paper away so that is why I use the vilene and I have hand quilted and machine quilted my quilts using the vilene as a foundation. Keep practising, it will get easier, you will work out the best method that suits you. |
Biggest tip - don't skimp on size of fabric. Been there - done that! Its much easier to cut down than to rip.
|
Buy Carol Doak CD how to paperpiece. It's the best instructional video I have seen to learn paper piecing and get it right the first time. I use lightweight vellum paper. Not the vellum used for scrapbooking. I bought a ream of it online and that will probably last me 20 plus years. If you don't mind drawing your pattern the deli sandwich wrappers bought at Sam's or Cosco 500 to a box makes good pp paper.
|
I am taking a PP class. The best tip that I have received from her is S I T. Sew, Iron, Trim, in that order. If I remember that then I have no problem getting the block correct..
|
Originally Posted by Ladyjanedoe
What brand of foundation paper did you use? I've never heard of that happening but I can understand why you'd be upset. Right now I am paperpiecing one of Norah McMeeking's elaborate "Bella Bella" designs and I have found a few templates that I cut a little on the small side .They have to be positioned just so to cover the seam allowance. I had to redo one section three times before I just went to the yardage, hacked off a more than adequate sized piece , and slapped it on there.I'll likely recut them all because the aggravation of removing those little stitches won't be worth it.ARGH!!!
Another good thing to use for pressing is a wallpaper roller. Just roll it across your seam and Presto, almost a good as pressing. There are wooden finger pressers that I've seen available . Here's a plastic one: http://www.softexpressions.com/Merch...Category_Code= You wouldn't even have to use an iron. I wouldn't chance an iron again if you're going to use up the remaining foundation sheets in the pack. One more thing...do you have a special Add a seam ruler for paper piecing? You can get them in 1/8" seams as well. You can find them here: http://www.softexpressions.com/Merch...Category_Code= I love the 1/8" ruler because it's more forgiving with odd shaped pieces. |
Well my post got mixed up in another one. I added that another good devise for pressing the seams is a wallpaper roller. Just roll it across the seam and it is almost as good as pressing it with the iron.
|
I also use one of those 1/4" or 1/8" rulers that are made for paper piecing and just plain old copier paper. That works well for me. However, if I have not been PPing for a while, I always seem to make a mistake about 4 or 5 pieces in. Once I get that out of my system, I am good to go for the rest of the time. I have gotten pretty good at "unsewing" one of these seams by using my very small rotary cutter. You know what they say: "Practice makes perfect". Also I will often use scotch tape to "mend" the paper seam where the mistake was.
|
I do a little bit of it all.
|
My picture,it's paper pieced.
|
Originally Posted by Connie in CO
My picture,it's paper pieced.
|
Could you use parchment paper for paper piecing? I would like to find something that is easy to separate and not pulling on the stitches.
Thanks, Quilter711 Nancy |
Originally Posted by quilter711
Could you use parchment paper for paper piecing? I would like to find something that is easy to separate and not pulling on the stitches.
Thanks, Quilter711 Nancy |
If you take apart a wooden spring-type clothespin, one half makes a great pressing tool for paper piecing, and the cost is minimal.
|
Paper Panache has some great general instructions as well as some FABULOUS patterns. I bought a whole bunch yesterday.
I have not done paper piecing before but I sure am going to get into it now! |
This may help you, I hope. It's a little different but it works great.
http://www.twiddletails.com/store/in...age=page&id=21 |
Originally Posted by BellaBoo
Buy Carol Doak CD how to paperpiece. It's the best instructional video I have seen to learn paper piecing and get it right the first time. I use lightweight vellum paper. Not the vellum used for scrapbooking. I bought a ream of it online and that will probably last me 20 plus years. If you don't mind drawing your pattern the deli sandwich wrappers bought at Sam's or Cosco 500 to a box makes good pp paper.
|
Originally Posted by Kitsie
|
I use a very cheap "tracing paper" bought in a tablet from Wally's. If you hold the iron on the paper side...most of this light paper will shrivel abit..so just press from the fabric side. I don't cut out the "shapes" prior to sewing...I cut strips of my fabric and then match my previous trimmed seam allowance. I fold the section back towards me to make sure the fabric will cover it all before I sew...that works (most of the time when I remember to actually do that). Keep doing it, it will get easier and more fun...and of course, it looks great!
|
I love to paperpiece and have gotten a Mini- iron which works perfect for me when paperpiecing. I do think your iron may have been to hot, but on the same token I know when I use my regular iron it tends to make the paper roll(no matter what type of paper I use) and with or without steam. I think these mini-irons( no steam what so-ever) run around 24.00-27.00. If you can afford it I think you will be pleased with it. they have a couple of heat settings and I usually just keep it on high.
|
When I paper piece I cut off the seam allowance on the paper, I add the seam allowance to the fabric, it's a lot easier getting the paper off if it's not tucked under a seam.
|
I just sew on the printed line.No sewing on the side like the freezer paper.I also use a add a quarter inch ruler.
|
I learned to pp the Carol Doak method. I use cheap copy paper and have never had any problem. Oh yes sometimes I have to rip out those tiny stitches because I did not line up my piece properly. It is not fun but doable, use tape to repair, and move on.
Just keep practicing. Either you will love it or hate it. I love pp. |
Originally Posted by Connie in CO
My picture,it's paper pieced.
Has anyone taken a George Siciliano class? His work is amazing. His best tip is to use double sided scotch tape instead of pins, the lump from the pin can distort the line. |
Originally Posted by sarge1
I love how crisp paper pieced blocks look, and the intricacy of the designs one can achieve, but I always, inevitably, screw some step up. I looked at the tut here, and it has helped. However, my latest episode: I bought special foundation paper (which is sort of like interfacing in terms of the feel of it), and the first seam that I pressed made the foundation paper shrivel up! I didn't use steam, so what? Iron too hot?
Went on to finish it anyway, for practice, and the last two pieces I sewed on weren't large enough to cover the seam allowance. It's totally wonky and unusable. I will try again, but would appreciate any little tips. Thanks |
Here is a link to some good tips from Jodie Davis on Fons and Porter:
http://www.fonsandporter.com/userdoc...perPiecing.pdf |
Thank you Kitsie. I really liked your tutorial and will use it. So appreciate your time and great directions. Yolanda
|
It takes some getting used to. I did a muslin foundation quilt about 10 years ago but never paper pieced until a couple of years ago. I messed up many a piece because of wrong placement and having to think backwards.
I had some of that fusible-like paper and I loved it. Maybe your iron was too hot, I didn't have a problem with it. I just started on some yesterday and wasn't thinking when I printed the sheets from EQ7 and did it on normal paper. I have the thin paper for PP but forgot. Printer paper isn't bad, especially the cheap kind. I'm doing a dozen at a time, I need 72 of them. |
I love my Add-A-Quarter ruler. Here's a link to the manufacturer's site with a tutorial. A video would be better, and maybe there is one out there, but this will give you an idea. There's an Add-An-Eighth ruler too. I would go with the 12-inch Add-A-Quarter. The other would be too short for many pieces, but if you can afford both, they are both helpful. I have done PP both with and without this ruler, and the ruler is very helpful.
http://www.addaquarter.com/how_to.php One more tip I got in a class was to look for the "Post It" tape. The only place I've seen it is at staples. It's like a post it note, only it's in tape form and from a tape dispenser. It allows you to tape ripped foundation paper, and still cut through it. Regular tape doesn't work well with a rotary cutter. |
Your "hate" will turn to "love" when you get
it figured out! I do a lot of PP (yes, avatar is PP) and here are my best tips: Use the cheapest computer printer paper, or even newsprint, that you can find. Use a large needle--90-- and tiny stitches. Pull, press new piece *securely up against* stitching line before adding next piece. Use an Add-A-Quarter ruler **Before sewing the piece on, fold it into it's intended position, then hold the whole item to the light so you can see through the paper to check that the new piece is big enough!** I have a tendency to daydream in the midst of PP, so I made a rule for myself--never, ever, cut against the folded paper edge. If you aren't cutting against the add a quarter ruler, you are doing it wrong. Breathe Have fun!! :thumbup: :thumbup: |
I am handicapped, PP with paper is nearly a no-no...I use used dryer sheets, print the pattern on it, & leave it there, works for me
|
Until you really get into PP, try using just a bit larger pice of fabric to be sure it edges will be covered.......
Time and practice makes perfect !!!! |
I wonder if you got water soluble foundation paper. I'm guessing the heat from the iron would make that shrivel--even without steam.
|
I love paper piecing. I do like the thinner paper (Carol Doak's did not work on my printer for some reason). The hardest part for me is cutting the fabric large enough for odd shapes. I am making the Civil War Quilt Love Letters and I finally got to the point I didn't have to rip out after about 13 blocks. As I said my main problem was cutting too small. I sew the seam, cut the excess, and press.
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:18 AM. |