paper piecing help
 

Hi - I'm making a paper pieced project from the June issue of Quilter's world and what they don't tell you would fill a book!!!

This is regular paper piecing, not English paper piecing and what I need to know is do you trim some/all of those extra layers of fabric left from this process before putting the pieces together? It seems awfully bulky and the article says nothing about trimming. It's actually coming out kind of neat so when it;s finished I'll post a pic.

Thanks 4 your help or referral to a site with info.

xxoo

Sunshine and laughter to each of you!!

you should trim to 1/4" after each piece is added on! go the carol doak website and read up on the basics of paper piecing!

Carol Doak has an awesome explanation/video in her 50 pp'ed stars book (it's a DVD). It may be on her website too. I bought an "add a quarter [inch] ruler) and boy does it help. I got the longer one so I could do bigger blocks. It involves using a postcard fold the paper over and then placing the ruler on it to cut the quarter inch. I am sure you could do it with any ruler but the add a quarter ruler and Carol Doak method makes it so fast.

Night and day difference from my first set of blocks that were so bulky. I LOVE the look of pp'ing. Hope this helps.

Carol Doak is the best there is in explaining paper piecing. Get one of her books or go to her web site. Good Luck its a lot of fun

Carol Doak has a sweet little book out called Show Me How to Paper Piece. It's only 15 pages. I bought it and taught myself to paper piece.

I trim mine and also clip curves.

http://classicquilter.typepad.com/cl...r-piecing.html
I use this method. This page also shows you how to use your 1/4 inch ruler to trim your seam allowances.

I also remove the paper in the seam allowances before sewing the blocks together. That eliminates a lot of the bulk. You also can sew a very scant 1/4" seam to allow for the amount of fabric taken up in the seam allowance. Last suggestion--have faith that it will work.

Monofilament thread for paper piecing
 

I've switched to monofilament thread in both top and bobbin and that has helped tremendously in reducing bulk.

hevemi - I'm sorry but I cannot open your link.