My question on pp
 

I don't do much, so each time is like the first time....bought a pattern called grandmothers jumping jacks...thinking..good way to use up scraps......ugh pp! Only 5 pieces each block, ok. Printed out a few, just to reintroduce myself to process...dug out pp supplies, woke up those brain cells...have carol doaks DVD+ books, but didn't want to waste the time reading. First one - ok, second one, ehh, then I got confused....cutting fabric from wrong side, yadda, yadda!

my question: when sewing piece to piece, do you start and stop at sewing lines or just beyond dotted line (which would be , in piecing, the end of fabric).....

another question- if your doing multiple blocks, same design, do you chain piece as in regular patchwork, or do you complete each block..then begin another?

then I read on some tute...if shapes are odd shaped, as opposed to recs,sqs,trngls, take as many as needed paper patterns and cut those into templates for each piece needed, allowing for a generous seam allowance, which would be cut accurately after sewing....phew! Maybe I should just bag scraps and get rid of them!
thanks for reading my venting.....

I feel your pain! I don't do enough or often enough for it to come natural so it's a struggle each time.

lol, I don't think you enjoy paper piecing ;-) The PP that I do is usually one of a kind blocks so chain piecing is out of the question. I do take a couple of stitches beyond.

edited to say, I had to force myself to overcome the same things you are feeling now. I'm glad I did. The outcome is worth it. Don't give up. It will come easier to you.

I agree with Debra. You don't seem to be enjoying it. You can't do chain stitching. What appeals to me is the intricate patterns you can make that is easier to do PP then traditional piecing.

You stated you have the Carol Doak books, instructions;but didn't want to waste time... It maybe a better use of your time to review the information, as apposed to spending time being frustrated, confused and having to start over. Chain piecing is not a method for paper piecing. Yes, we stitch a few stitches beyond the lines. Spend a little time refreshing with the Carol information then go back, I bet you will have much better results,with much less frustration. Carol is a great teacher and explains the process very well.

I also take a couple stitches beyond the line like DebraK. I'm trying to pump myself up to get going on some PP NY Beauty blocks that need to be done for one of my monthly groups. It seems to go ok once I get going.

Yes, of course, you are correct about refreshing my memory via doaks DVD/book, and I shall do that today!
i will do this quilt, as I have settled down, and gone thru it in my mind, and with hints from here...a challenge to meet and beat! And maybe in the process, learn to "like" pp a bit more. I'll send along some pics of a few of the blocks when I get that far. Thanks

I like doing multiples at one time, even if they are not the same (like 5 different 8 point star blocks together). I LOVE the thread cutter on my new Juki for PP. With my old machine I would chain them, and then cut the threads to separate them. Since most of the seams don't go all the way to the edge, that was tedious.

This was doing 18 roses at one time - each a different color


http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psx03rsrlk.jpg

Most of my PP has been with Judy Niemeyer patterns. She gives directions for cutting the patches in advance, so I can have them all lined up for chain piecing. Yes, the threads between pieces are longer than for regular chain piecing, but it works for me.

I say watch Carol Doak video since you have it. You oversize the fabric and trim to 1/4" before sewing the next fabric so you have a 1/4" seam. I don't see how anyone would want to do this without the add a quarter ruler. It's inexpensive and saves so much time. It won't slip from the seam line.

I feel your pain. I'm learning this right now (From Carol Doak's Craftsy video.) and it's like I've got it, I've got it, I've got it....I don't got it.
Frustrating, but we WILL figure it out, right?

Watson

I do a lot of paper piecing- and depending what it is, sometimes you can chain piece. I always extend my stitching past the lines-if you don't you may have issues when you pull the paper off. I have gotten to the point that even if the pattern isn't paper pieced, I will make pp template and do it that way-so much more accurate-though messy!

Yes, you need to stitch past the fold line.
Yes, you can chain stitch but it will cost you some thread. If that isn't important, then I find it easier to do all the same step on all pattern pieces. Otherwise I end up with a mess of my scraps.

yes, i as, I agree about the quarter ruler....that a must have for pp in my mind anyway........not doing anything about it today, life got in the way....maybe tomorrow....uh, no, birthday party in early afternoon, then bringing ggd(5) back home for an overnite...so no me time til Monday.........

thats funny! I don't think this will be my favorite way of piecing, but will do ONLY when I have to......

Right! sounds like many of us are attempting to improve our PP skills this year and I'm determined to figure it out. I also have purchased her video and hope to get some practice pieces done in the near future.

MacyBaby, I too am addicted to the vintage machines. It must be in the name. My name is also Cathy! LOL

I stitch over the line a quarter inch and use my tie off feature at each end. I have had problems with stitches pulling out when you pull off the paper so the tie off prevents that.

Love, love, love paper piecing! I don't know who your pattern is by, but I do a lot of Judy Niemeyer and find her instructions can sometimes be overcomplicated for new pp-ers.

Yes - stitch past the line and if you haven't already done so, reduce your stitch length to around 1.5 - this will make tearing off the paper much easier. Much of this will be cut off when you trim and depending on how your pattern folds and crosses, the 'extra' will loosen. If you haven't reduced your stitch length it may loosen too much.

Also, when I tear off my paper, I tear it it half the opposite way, down to the stitch line and remove the two halves separately - less stress on the seams. Another tip is to run a dampened cotton bud along the paper seams. :)

With regards to chaining or completing each block, you'll probably get a 'feel' for what suits you and the pattern. I've done both, sometimes getting into a 'zone', lol. I chain a lot, but my machine has auto-pivot where the foot lifts a little as soon as I stop sewing which makes it easy for me. When blocks are all the same it usually lends itself to the freezer paper method, but that's a whole other kettle of fish!

Templates - I often make my own template out of freezer paper when there's a lot of pieces the same size. I usually cut it a bit more generously if needed - 'fickering' (a good Scottish word for you, lol) with bits of fabric to get it to fit ain't my thing. It's less time-consuming having to cut off any extra that it is turning pieces this way and then having to unpick pieces that are too short (remember those tiny stitches.....).

You can always cut smaller, it's bigger that's the problem ;). That way you can iron it on to the top of pile of likely looking scraps and rotary cut a stack, remembering to cut the right side of your fabric to fit. (Ah - batiks heaven sent for paper piecers....).

Phew! That's my tuppence-worth. Happy piecing! :)

good idea...thanks for that tip

Kninette...thanks for that info.....

oh oh another oops! I did.....have to remember which way to lay fab before cutting...in this pattern like spokes...thin at top, widening to other edge......cut two "backwards,
which did not help my mental confusion....now I have to remind myself....is it print of pattern to print of fabric for correct cut.......like "right sides together". Wonder who invented this process...
And NO to the nth degree...I will never do a Neimeyer (sp) pattern..that is definitely out of my patience range!

Since you already have Carol Doak's books and DVD, I would strongly suggest that you go back to them. She is an excellent teacher and your directions are usually very clear, so I'd go back to the drawing board, so to speak; it doesn't hurt to refresh our memories from time to time. Unfortunately, I have to do it all the time with my Sr. Moments. LOL

love pp 90% quilts that I make is pp and yes I chain piece all the time I can have four quilts going at once. Just keep at it you will get better and better. With Carol Doak's you got a good start.

My last attempt at pp was starting out fine, and all I was concerned about was making sure I cut the next piece big enough to cover the next space. I couldn't understand why when I was doing that, and then sew it that when I bent it over it didn't cover all of it I finally figured out, because I didn't like it up with the precious edge correctly. That is the only way I know how to explain it. Once I got that straightened out, and before sewing it, flipped it over to make sure, I was ok. Then I had fun. :) I used my seam ripper several times, but it was worth it.

I too love, love, love PP. It's my favorite way to make a quilt. I've done lots of Judy N. patterns and while I find them very complicated to follow her cutout directions I love how complicated they look. They are simple to put together and connect. I also have gotten in the habit of not only sewing a little beyond the line, I back-sew and never have trouble ripping the paper off or loosening the stitch line.

I have only made a few small pieces for my practice, but I would like to work on a bigger full size block. I guess I will go slowly with it so hopefully it will turn out decent.

I hope someday some one starts a paper piecing swap again that I might join in order to push my self a bit. There use to be one where it seems like they were doing some paper piecing sometimes even wonky piecing, and other themes, but it looked fun. I didn't know enough then to join in. I am still practicing now, but I am getting it a bit better.

Each time I finish one and it looks decent I feel so proud of it. :)

I don't mind so far when it comes to pulling the paper off. I know that some of you that do a lot of pp look for simpler ways of doing your papers and either pulling them off or using the freezer paper method. I don't think I could attempt that method until this regular one I began becomes easy to me.

I started with the basic paper piecing book by Carol Doak, and it had the heart pattern, and some pages in it to use.
Then I have looked at many videos and will save the ones that more clicked for me.

I have learned as a beginner to sew past the line a couple of stitches, and also if I do a back stitch it helps when I go to pull of the paper.

you can chain pp. Peggie Martin has a class on Craftsy called strip piecing. Check it out. It will help you like pp better.

Thanks to all for comments/hints. The pic of the ONE block is posted in pictures. 'Nuff said!