Paper piecing help please!
 

I am trying my first paper piecing and have run into difficulty (why does this not surprise me!?) I hope I can explain this so someone will understand what I mean. The block is a 4 inch center square with 4 rectangles to be attached around it. The pattern is from AQS Sept 13 - Spinning Wheel. It is done with a partial seam on one of the rectangles.

When I am putting on the final rectangle, there are a lot of seams coming together and it seems that I need to cut the seam allowance to make it lie flat. The pattern doesn't say you need to do this. (mind you, the pattern also says it is easy....*sigh*).

So....clear as mud? Any suggestions for this beginning quilter??

thanks!
Nancy

I hope I am understanding your question correctly and if so, watch this short youtube video. I hope it will help .... and not make matters worse! ha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNcPMH0rzhU

the block you start with face up , and always leave fabric over the line of 1/4 hope this help

you've got a small center square with larger squares arranged sort of like a pinwheel? (Am I seeing right). Each corner should be just the same, because you're doing incomplete seams. I don't think you should have to cut anything. I'd press seams away from the center square; they should all lie flat. But--it just sank in that you're doing it on paper; don't know how that will complicate it. Maybe others will chime in.
--nanibi (another Nancy)

Wish you could post a photo because it shows so much. That is sometimes a problem with PP is not being able to control in which direction the seams lay. Is this similar to your blocks?? This block required a partial seam. I PP this mug rug.

Would piecing opposing sides first (say right side rectangle, then left side rectangle) then adding your top and bottom rectangle help? This way no partial seams.

For first paper piecing projects, I would not suggest any patterns that call for partial seams or attaching of multiple pieces to make one block (part A, part B, part C, etc.). The easier the pattern, the better, until you have mastered the pp technique.

Hope my suggestions help! Without seeing the actual pattern, it is kind of difficult for me to picture it.

http://www.piecebynumber.com/partial_seams.htm


http://fabricsandflowers.blogspot.co...ial-seams.html
http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quil...ams-made-easy/

Thank you all for your help and replies! I watched the video KLO gave the link for and I realized my mistake. The pattern said to press to the center square and so I did (very obedient learner quilter!) and when I got to the final seam, that was the problem as I had sewn down the ironed seam. I unpicked it and resewed, and darn if it wasn't "easy" as advertised!

Here is the pattern from the designer's blog photo:
http://duringquiettime.com/2013/11/s...available.html

I love the colours she used but I am doing it in blue Stonehenge fabrics.

Thanks again!
(until my next little mini-crisis! lol)
Nancy

amBoo, So glad that you figured out your "mistake". Funny how one little thing can throw you completely off. So glad also that you didn't cut your seam allowances before figuring out what was wrong. Been there, done that as the saying goes. I am hoping you will eventually be able to post a photo of the finished top because I'll bet it is going to be a beauty in Stonehenge fabrics. They are lovely, aren't they? I also like the one from the AQS magazine because it makes me think of the sea and oh how I love the sea! Maybe yours will also since it is blue.

cool pattern. glad you figured it out.