I'm about to start my first pp project so this thread is SO helpful! I think I'm going to print off a copy and put it with the pattern right now.

The 2011 BOM -Houses the link for January's block has a great practice pattern for pp...it helped me get the hang of what to do and made doing that church block alot easier.
Here's the link: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-86667-1.htm

It's only easy if you can get the 3 sheets to print out at exact size. Many had problems (myself included) with one or another pattern piece being a scant 1/16th" off which distorted things a bit. I would suggest a one piece pattern to get the hang of it & Carol Doak has some good ones for beginners.

Well it took over an hour but i did it!

Good for you!!!!!! The next one wont take as long lol

looks great!

One thing that really helped me learn was watching Carol Doak's dvd. It's in her 50 Stars book and my library had a copy. Checked it out and my, oh my, the things I learned. I moved my iron and ironing board closer to my machine which saved a tremendous amount of time and formed a triangle with the cutting mat on one side, machine on another. I sit in a secretary chair (without arms) and spin to my work areas. Practice makes the blocks go faster, even if unsewing a seam in necessary. lol Also, check out quilterscache.com for a wealth of free patterns, sorted by size and name. Don't give up. Another trick is to starch your fabric ... easier to work with and doesn't get caught in throat plate, etc.

I use freezer paper for the patterns. Then it's easy to keep your fabric pieces from slipping, just press down ligtly with iron after you've sewn on a piece. Press your first piece onto the paper right side up to keep in place when you start your block. I paper piece everything I can, love it!

See, we all knew you could do it! Keep doing it and you will have a runner, no then a quilt. Happy quilting!

Thanks for the help and the inpiration to keep trying. With every quilt I try to learn something new. I have a quilt that I want to make for someone but its paper piecing. I need to learn this technique and get the quilt finished hopefully by june. You all are great.