Paper Piecing -- Mistakes I Made
 

Bellaboo was right -- it is hard to learn paper piecing from a book.

1.My first mistake was ordering a used Carol Doak book online that was missing the CD -- after all I can read!
However I failed to notice that she wrote "after making copies of sections A and B, cut the triangles 0NE HALF inch from the outside line." I made ALL my outside lines also 1/4". (I am such a creature of habit.....)

2. When I went to sew the segments together, I wound up with less than 1/8" seams in some places and even wound up with only a few threads in other places.

3. To remedy this, I decided to try using some fray block but the tube was dried up.
Okay .... then decided I would try Fray Check. Planned to dab it on sparingly with q-tip then discovered I was out of them too. Mind you, this was in the middle of a bad snowstorm so couldn't get to the mall.

4. Of course, the fray check was slightly noticeable on the right side so resorted to using a Sharpie pen to remedy that. Still worrying the seams might come loose, I used small pieces of lightwt. fusible interfacing for re-enforcement.

5. Also should have pressed some of my seams open and wound up with lumpy centers so took a mallet and clapper to those.

6. Had planned to SID around the star segments but broke several needles trying to penetrate some of the thick seams. Free motioned it instead with my Viking 1+.

With a great deal of regret (over not prewashing) and trepidation, I finally lucked out and not one fabric bled -- not even the black or reds.
Sorry this post was so long.
Now if my luck will just hold out one more time I will try to post a picture...........

Sure came out pretty! I have the Carol Doak book and CD. What I like about the the software is that you can print to the size you need.

it's gorgeous!

I bought this book. I just dont know that paper piecing is for me. I have had about the same experience. Only you have a quilt.

Hard lessons learned, but look how beautiful!! Look at your learning experience this way-Now you know for next time! Your story reminds me of middle school. All students are given a test the first day:
Question #1 Read every question before writing anything on this paper.
Question #20 Do not write anything on this paper except your name.
You can imagine how many filled in all the answers and turned in papers with eraser marks. Can't tell you how many times I have missed the little important stuff on a pattern and wondered why it isn't working out.

When I learned to paper piece, I watched tutorials online. Then I took blocks from quilterscache and learned to do it. It all made sense. No book for me to learn from. But I have done Carol's patterns since. The trick is to do every step in order. Every time.

Your quilting experiences sound so much like mine but your results are so much better!
Looks really good; I really hope it holds up for you.

After all the problems, it came out beautiful. Good job!

it's such a beautiful quilt! congrats on the finish

Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous! You did an outstanding job in spite of your problems. I am doing the paper piecing Craftsy BOM. The blocks look so simple when compared to yours. My first day of working on the blocks, I made so many mistakes. I did not enjoy it. Today, everything went smoothly, no mistakes. I actually enjoyed the paper piecing today.

It's beautiful

My have had your setbacks but the end result is beautiful

Which book are you referring to? Not all of Carols earlier books had cds that were patterns. Some cds were instructional only. If this is the 50 star book, the patterns were on a separate cd that I had to purchase. Also, if you used a copier to reproduce the patterns, they dont always reproduce accurately. I have never had a failure with Carols patterns.

That turned out absolutely gorgeous. Love your colors. The next will be so much easier for all the experience you learned from this one. Keep it up. You did good.

Beautiful quilt you finished. You must be proud. I am still needing to attempt another paper piecing block. I haven't in awhile with a lot of family stuff. Also, with doing a few swaps, etc. I guess it was easy to put off anything that involved a bit more stress than the usual. I still have got to complete one, because I do like to learn new things. I have the beginner Carol Doak Book on paper piecing. I just need to jump in a few days. I had it recommended to me by Jacquie that is away right now I think.

That is one stunning quilt.

"Also should have pressed some of my seams open and wound up with lumpy centers so took a mallet and clapper to those" - - - Love this!!! I can just image you pounding the living daylights out of your quilt. Sounds like something I'd do. Your 'beaten up' quilt is just beautiful.

How wonderful to have made those mistakes, all of which you learned from, and still you came out with an absolutely beautiful quilt. Good for you!!

very very pretty

Absolutely gorgeous quilt. Worth all the hassle. My main mistake with PPing was that I cut my pieces of fabric way to small. After I started being way more generous I didn't have any problem. Really did hate cleaning up all those little paper pieces though!

franc36 -- I'm doing the same class and learning something each month. I have completed seven blocks (I only do one out of two each month) and it is relaxing when you are able to cut, piece and complete in such a short time. As for paper piecing it gets better -- either that or I'm a glutton for punishment as I'm just starting a NY Beauty!

I think it passes from the back of that galloping horse but this is one I will be very leery of ever giving away!

Snipforfun -- It was a 2000 edition of the 50 Fabulous Paper Pieced Stars Book (used, online, cheap, minus the CD -- which I chose to buy anyway). This is the Maine Star and I copied the pattern from pg. 65. None of my problems were Carol's fault, I assume full blame but I sure did learn a lot!

The cds that come with Carol Doak's books are not how to paper piece, they are for printing out the block patterns. Foundation Factory is a software program that is all for paper piecing. All of Carol Doaks cds will install to Foundation Factory but also will stand alone. FF was on sale a few weeks ago for 50% off at Quilt Pro website. Quilt Pro is a quilt program that will support FF in designing quilts.

I had to laugh about your experience - wow, you are not a quitter.... lovely quilt.

That sure came out beautiful!! And just imagine how easy the next project will be!!

That is a truly beautiful quilt - not sure why you are so worried, don't think the 1/8"seams should be a problem especially since with PP you normally use a very small stitch. I haven't done that star block yet but think I will have to after seeing your quilt. It is kind of hard getting used to PP, but once you get the hang of it you are good to go.

What a great looking quilt!!!!! I love paper piecing. There has been some discussion about wasting fabric, but for me....the cutting mistakes that I have made making traditional blocks far out weigh the waste with paper piecing. I like it because I can cut my pieces and they don't have to be straight or be an exact size. Just close with a little extra. So I do have a little waste.

Gorgeous! No bleeding fabrics? Even better! So, the manufacturer of the fabrics, please?

Your quilt is wonderful after your trials and tribulations with paper piecing.:thumbup: Congratulations on finishing it.

For all the troubles you had to get there, it is beautiful. Your did a great job:thumbup:

What a fantastic quilt, that is absolutely beautiful!!

I got quite a chuckle and a few large ha-ha's from reading your thread. Sounds like probably what most any of us go through when first paper-piecing. That said, I must say that your results in no way show the torturous route traveled to get there. It is beautiful!

I took a course with Carol Doak. I had paper pieced before but after being taught by the master I now like this method the best. She is just lovely and a patient teacher. Her tips and tricks really helped me. I still have problems with triangles and still have to rip out a seam or two but I love the end result. I also love her miniature quilts.
When I bought her book and put the CD in my computer the first time I heard a crack. It had broken in half. I went online and called the contact number and left a message. Carol called me back in a few minutes. She had her publicist mail me another CD and I got it in 2 days! She offered to put some of my quilts on her website. I have made so many from her patterns that I have lost count. I am currently making a weding quilt for my daughter from her 50 paper pieced stars. I have about 30 done and it has only taken me 6 years!!!!!!! My daughter and her husband just celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary and have 2 little girls. She mentions the quilt quite often. Every retreat I go on, I make a couple more. I told her maybe for her 10th....

Your quilt is just gorgeous. If I could figure out how to upload a pic or two I would share my Maine star with you!

Well all your frustration and hard work payed off! It is beautiful !

It was sure worth the effort - your finished quilt is absolutely beautiful. GREAT job !!!

Wow! If you come out with something so beautiful making all those mistakes[your words,ha], there's no telling what you will do with the next one.

Lovely quilt - even if it was "hard earned". :)

You would never know you had problems! This is a truly gorgeous quilt!

Valerie Ann -- Last Super Bowl Weekend, I saw a good deal on fat quarters online on Hoffman fabrics called Batik Tutti Fruitti so that was perfect to get me started. I added other bright colors from "wherever" as I went along. I found a Moda Kona Black at Joann's and that was the one I was most worried about.
Thanks all for the compliments..........

If I can make those same mistakes, will my quilt turn out to be as stunning as yours? LOL Silly woman, you did a fantastic job and no one, NO ONE is going to notice any of those mistakes.