Paper piecing problem
 

I recently downloaded this free pattern from Crafty, it is a Traceyjay pattern... As you can see by the photos I am having a problem.... how do I get rid of all that bulk at the points.... seems one side is lower that other, although everything measures the same... Any help is greatly appreciated.

Will be waiting to see what the other experts advise on the bulk, but had to say what lovely start you have with that fabric!

I agree with Tartan.

Although you normally leave the paper on till the very end, I would CAREFULLY remove the paper from the centers. You don't have to remove it all, just an inch or so from the center. Then see if you can fan the points like you have started in the last photo.
A bigger potential issue is that I'm pretty sure that before your final seam you should have 2 perfect rectangles. If you look at the bottom piece in the 3rd photo, you can see that the seam allowance has a big jog in it. I haven't done this specific pattern, but have done similar and this last seam has always been a straight line across the 2 halves. Check your pattern to see, as this one may be different.
And finally, I would take the Carol Doak's "mastering foundation paper piecing" course on Craftsy. Great class!

All the infor so far has been good. I will almost never do more then 8 points meeting. If all else fails and you can't make it work I would cut a half circle out of the center and put a half circle in each side (piece ) or a whole circle (applique) a'la Dresden plate style. It will change the look a bit, but a perfect circle center will look much better then a bad point match. Good luck

I agree with PaperPrincess. Try removing paper from the seam allowance where the points meet (about a half inch should work). It will get rid of some of the bulk and after it's sewn getting all the paper out out can be really difficult. I'm still fairly new to paper piecing but the teacher at the club I go to is very, very good and gave me the suggestions and it really helped. It's hard to tell how accurate the picture is but I also agree that the finished halves don't look quite straight. Tartan suggested pressing the seams open and that should help too

It's a beautiful block and I love the fabric choices!

Great advice from all posters. One thing I've found helps is to press all your seams open when joining the segments together; this allows them to lay flat and keeps that big lump from forming in the center.

I just finished pp Carol Doak's 50 Fab PP Stars--they all had 8 sections coming together and I didn't have the lump/bulk problem just by pressing my seams open. I'd visit her website--lots of great advice.

Other things I would do:

First take out the last seam on both rectangles to return it to 4 quarters.

Then iron all the seams apart - I would first fold the paper along those seams and remove JUST the outside paper so I could get a flatter ironing.

Then I would tear away the very centre paper of the segments which have the outside sewing line printed on, and also a larger area of the inner segments which do not have an outside seam to be sewn. This is all to reduce bulk. If necessary I would redraw the sewing line with an erasable marker. Any dog-ears can come off too lol.

Then on to the re-sewing. As Tartan mentioned, don't sew across the very centre. However DO start your sewing at the middle and sew towards the outside - that way the centre will not have any chance to shift. A couple of reverse stitches will anchor the seam end.

If your outer join matches are a problem, then you could perhaps baste the joins before doing the whole seam, to keep them aligned.

If all else fails and the fabric is too stretched to match up easily again, then I would fold back all the joining seam papers (leaving the other paper in place), match the joins up with a bit of easing from the unstreched side, and then steam and block the unit square afterwards, using the remaining papers as a reference.

Good luck, hope it comes together for you :-)
cheers, K

I always stay away from patterns especially PP that have TOO MANY seams merging into one point. There is always going to be the problem of bulk. It is difficult with PP to keep the seams open. Tartans suggestion sounds like the best way to go.

I am always impressed with the information you expert quilters freely give. Being a member here is like having a sewing teacher available 24/7. Thank you all for your knowledge and kindness.

I agree... so much wonderful help here. Thank you ladies... I will tackle this with a new perspective.... I can do this... I can do this.... I can do this......

I wasn't clear in my previous post about pressing seams open--sorry, Senior Blonde moment. I join the top 2 sections together then remove the paper from inside the seam lines. Then I press that seam open, do the same for the bottom 2 sections and then the same thing to join top and bottom. This will let the seams stay open--they won't if you leave the paper in the seam lines. Sorry--clear as mud????

I used to do the sew through the paper method but discovered using either freezer paper or a glue stick and the original paper to make the "blocks" Start as you normally would any paper pieced block but before you do that use a tracing wheel to perforate the paper and make it easier to fold on the sew lines. Stick or iron ( FPM=freezer paper method) into place in the first section, fold back the paper, trim, add new fabric and sew next to the folded line. Iron seam, flip fabric, iron again and either glue or iron (FPM) second fabric in place. Fold back paper, trim, add new fabric and again sew on edge of paper to secure second block. Repeat to finish block then peal off the paper ( pattern intact and no ripping of paper) less bulk, easier to join centers, fewer error because you see what you are doing rather than obscured by paper and no mess! If you do not get this brief synopsis...try Utube and search freezer paper piecing. You might like the results even better than before.

I am now working ( on & off) on a Becky Goldsmith--Piece O Cake-- pattern called Spring Wheel...same 8 point center...having that same bulky problem at center......even hard to "spin" it........even if I do it right! I have done others, not PP and no problem, I believe it's all that paper that gets in the way!!!!!!!This FPM sounds interesting...may look into that..

I see little "gaps" on the backside at the B seam lines, looks minuscule, but put together can cause that mismatch.....just like regular piecing. I don't do PP often, but each time I do I think the sewing of those pieces really has to be more precise than " regular" ...can't squish, or gently stretch to make it match....no stretch in paper.....

Try ironing the seams open sometimes this helps

This is not the best video on the planet ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqMiC1_JdqQ) but it does cover a technique I previously mentioned. Using this method ( or the original paper pattern and a glue stick) ...makes less bulk, reduces mistakes, improves accuracy, no tearing away paper and when you press the seams open you have a far better chance matching those bulky intersections. I also found perforating the pattern with a tracing wheel makes folding a cinch.

Is the pattern " right"?
It seems that there might be a problem with the center sections?
Try making "finished" wedge units of paper, lay them together, and see if they come together properly.

Once in a while, it is the pattern that is the cause of the problem.

I do like the fabrics chosen for that block.

I'm just a beginner in PPing but I've found if I have to overlap more than a few seams in one spot, using thinner fabric also really helps.

Keep in mind that thread weight can make a difference when you get to those small points

here is what I ended up with
 

Here is the end result... not perfect.... but as good as I could get... should I add a circle to the middle as was suggested or should I leave as is.... thanks ladies.

Love that block. I'm not anywhere near good enough at paperpiecing to give you advise, but I have been reading all the advice given to you so far. Love that green fabric - I have some of that myself. I used mine, at least, some of it to do some whack and stack blocks. Can't wait to see your finished product. Good Luck!!

If it were me I would add the circle. Cut one out and lay it on top and see what you think. Even if you don't like it no harm just don't use it. (the circle)

thin the seams down and cut the cross over seams at the ends.. cut off everything you can and iron the seams open where you can. I use a steam iron. good luck.. I love to paper piece. have made king size quilts that was, beautiful points..