Paper Piecing - Mine are Backwards :(
 

Can you put it together to make the crab? Try that and see if it works.

I think you've got me stumped, too. From what I can see in your picture, it looks like it should turn out right. You're putting the wrong side of the first fabric to the back side of the paper, right? Hope you get it figured out.

I feel your frustration, I have tried several times even in a quilting class to do paper piecing and just when I think I have it figured out everything comes out backwards and I have to start over. Love the way points come out but total frustration when I have to start over. Wishing you good luck as it is a cute project.

I "fix" (iron freezer paper) my paper pieces to the back of the fabric and so must reverse the paper pattern- I do this on my computer. Many people use the paper pattern on the front of the fabric.
Have you looked at some tutorials on line?

With PP, you are actually working backwards. Your PP design has to be a mirror image of what you want to end up with. One way around it - use a light box (or window ) and trace all your lines to be the back side and then use that back side as your sewing lines. On the "front" side will be where you place your fabric face up as you stitch.

Macybaby....really? Do you mean I don't actually use the lines which are printed on the pattern? This is the first I've heard that I sew using lines on the BACK. Now, I'm really at a loss.

watch some tutes online. really, it is backwards.

the lines are printed on the paper are going to be a mirror image of the final results. Normally when you buy already printed papers, that is done for you, so if you look at the printed side of the paper and the finished picture, they are mirror images.

I don't think you are taking that into account with what you are looking at. When you are looking at the sewing lines, you are seeing the Back of the completed project, not the front side. when you remove the paper, you'll see all the seams.

when you flip it over, you'll see the front side, but it will be reversed of what you saw when looking at the sewing lines.

Just like any other block, if you can see the seams (actual thread) you are looking at the back side, not the front side where the thread is hidden by the fabric.

What I meant about tracing the lines to the back, if you want your end result to be facing the way the lines show, then you need to trace then to the back so you can use them from the back side. You don't have to do that unless you need to change the orientation - IE the paper shows the crab facing left, so the front side will have it facing right. If you want it facing left, you need to do the paper so the lines show it facing right.

one more addition - it appears you are taking a pieced pattern and converting it to paper piecing - the pieced pattern is meant to be face up, but paper piecing is meant to be face down. You just have to adjust accordingly.

Seaside,

You sew the lines on the front, but your fabric is under the paper, so when you finish it should look the same as the picture. If you want to reverse the image then you can do as Macybaby suggested. It can be frustrating at first, but don't give up, it is a great skill to have. If you have a LQS, see if they have any classes, it makes a big difference seeing and working in person. If not take some time to look at some tutorials on YouTube. Here are a couple to get you started.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uaW26igygE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5DMxDfYlw0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S01SEN1304A

I think this might be a flaw in the pattern - the designer accidentally mirrored it. If you look at the examples made by other people on the Craftsy page, they are "backwards" just like yours. The designer herself doesn't show any pictures of a completed block, just mock-ups in EQ. Since she hasn't sewn it, she didn't catch the problem.

Have you tried using a pattern by a different designer? If you do and it works correctly, then we will know that the problem is with the current pattern, not something you're doing wrong.

I love paper piecing and it took me a few goes to get my head round it but I much prefer it to patchwork. As others have said the printed line patterns are backwards so that the final piece comes out the same way as the final design. It looks like it is a design flaw rather than anything you are doing.

I would recommend this designer - Janeen on craftsy quilt art designs) I have ordered her projects by price on this link as many of her free ones are simpler. Don't be put off by the bigger ones though - the couple I have made so far are no harder than the small ones and worth the price as everything goes together so easily

https://www.craftsy.com/profile/quil...dClasses=false

oh I watched so many YouTube videos that made it over complicated - that first link that suzisew posted is by far the simplest and easiest and helped me to get my head round it. You apseem to be doing fine though

Jennifer: I think you are correct. I just looked at the crabs made by others, and their pieces are going in the same direction as mine! I'm so happy, I think I'm about to cry. When I get home from work, I will try to put them together using the samples on Craftsy. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Carry on. You are doing great. Like others said, the pattern for PP is
always backwards from your end result.

seaside quilter - don't give up. I had the same frustrations you are having. All of a sudden, it just clicked and it will for you also. It may help if you watch a video of paper piecing.

seaside quilter- I am so happy that you figured it out. I've done a little PP but I get goofed up. Need more practice! It's fun though.

It looks right.

This is not specifically on Seaside Quilter's question, but I thought it might be a good place to include it. I am definitely spatially challenged but I love paper piecing. I have found that when I have to do more than one of the same block, I have better luck if I do all of #1 and then all of #2 and so on. After I get the first #1 done, for example, I lie it next to my machine and use it as a guide for all the subsequent ones. It has saved me many mistakes. I'm sure others do the same, but I just wanted to suggest it.

Paper piecing is a mirror image so keep in mind it will be backwards from what you’re looking at on the pattern. Remember put your right sides of your material together like you would sew any garment or piecing and it will come out right. Good luck and I’m sure it’s going to be beautiful once you’re done.

In your pic it looks like the hst in section D has the colors in the wrong place.

Jennifer23....you helped me see the pattern flaw and I was able to figure out my problem. Now that I know how to do pp, I really love it.

i just really learned PP'ing and had to come up with a similar process. I know what really helped me was writing the color on each of the spaces on the PP. (i.e.; BG = background; DK BL= Dark Blue etc.) that way I always knew what fabric went where. If a block had multiple PP, I typically, cut out all the pieces and lay them out as the block...then Inwiuld chose colors and write on the PP. Made cutting out fabrics for each one easier, too.

Yay! I'm glad it worked out for you. Your block is super cute! Paper piecing is a really great technique, so I'm glad you figured it out.

Super cute! Great Job!!:thumbup:

That little crab is so cute!

Glad you were able to figure it out!

I do the same as someone mentioned above, and mark the paper with the proper color so I don't have to figure it out once the paper is all cut out. I also pre-fold along each line (this takes more time up front, but helps when I'm piecing, and then when I tear the paper apart). Finally, I don't tear the paper off until the block is completed. This helps me be able to assemble the block faster so I'm not getting confused with what is supposed to line up where, or which order it should be assembled.

I love, love to PP.... It's all I do. Learning is just like learning anything new to you.... practice, practice, practice!! In the past, I'd see a tradional pattern I liked & figure out how to do it PP. I'd make my own master & scan & print on thin paper bought from dickblink.com. Really cheap & last a l-o-n-g time... Good luck...