Paper piecing question
 

All of my paper piecing has been two or four sets sewn together to make one block but have started doing stars and compasses with sometimes eight pieces meeting in the center. So, is there a special way or process to reduce the lump/knob on the back side when all joined?

Before you join the pieces in the center, make sure that your seams are "spiraled" when they meet. Depending on the type of paper you are using (i.e. regular photo copy paper, or thinner paper) It may be easier to tear away the paper ONLY from the seam edge of the two pieces - but it will make it more difficult to match the seams.

also ... I usually baste my pieces when I join them, flip them open to make sure the seams match, then I sew over the basting stitch with a smaller stitch.

I have a paper piecing confession that is my answer to your question - when i have 8 pieces meeting - i make a slight change to the star/compass pattern. I've never tried to explain it before, so hope this makes sense.

After sewing the 2 pieces that make up the 1/4 block - i sew an extra piece at an angle across the center point position in a way that is pleasing to the look of the rest of the star/compass. Then i cut off the fabric underneath. This gives me only a normal simple 4 piece for the join at the center of the final block.

I confess - i just got tired of fighting the "bumps" in the middle....life's too short and i figure it makes my blocks totally unique (ok - that part's just what i tell myself, but i'm sticking to it)

If it is a project such as a wall hanging that will not be washed a lot, I press all the seams open which reduces the bulk in the middle.

Wow! This is so for me. Thank you for confessing your walking outside the straight-and-narrow path of the quilting process. I won't report you to the PPP (paper piecing police) if you don't tell on me. I am so going to implement your ingenious, albeit unconventional, way. A BIG THANK YOU.

someone posted once about buying and using a heavy mallet to "hammer" bulky seams. I found one at Harbor Freight and it is really heavy. I haven't tried it yet, but it is supposed to reduce bulk. I also read about this in one of the quilting magazines.

For the centres I open main seams and press very flat. At this stage trim off excess ears. Match 8 into twos, then fours. Pressing the seams open. Now I pin the centre making the seams match. Now sew from the centre and check if correct. If not only small amount to undo. When ready do other side. I trim the seam a little to make lay flat. Ina sheared people hitting with hammers to make them go flat. The less you fiddle with stretchy edges the best. I also spray starch all fabric after I fave sewn each section before putting all 8 together. It makes it stay put in the centre,

That is brilliant!!!!!!

Ha! Ha! Ha! I love the idea of whacking it with a big mallet. What a stress reliever.

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I think I get it, but do you have pictures to share? This sounds like it could be so for me to do. I had one recently that about drove me to drink something beside Mountain Dew. So challenging and I am working on stars right now. So anything to make it simpler. Pictures??? Please?????

pictures would help me a lot. Please!!??

I use the mallet method, but I use a small hammer and wooden cutting board. The mallet does not have to be a heavy one, any hammer works. It DOES get rid of a lot of frustrations!!! lol
Sue

I agree with THAT :)

Do you end up with something like this?

I don't have any blocks made - but here's what i would do with the PP compass block...Hope this helps explain it.
Glad you all think it's a good idea...i almost didn't post because i was afraid people would think it was stupid.;) The colored part is what i would add to turn the 8 joins into only 4http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=494717&stc=1

That's the most creative change I've seen in a long time. And it goes perfectly with everything else.

I may try this. I have a Dahlia pattern that calls for a star in the middle that has 16 pieces to meet and was worried about the bulk. I had thought of just cutting the center out and appliqueing a circle over the hole.

PenniF...THANK YOU!!! I've shied away from compass/star PP patterns for the bulk issue, now I have a great solution.

U have just created a new pattern with that little angle....CLEVER!!!!!

That is absolutely brilliant. Thank you for sharing this - am going to do it too!!

Love it when people think 'outside the box'. Thank you so much for sharing this ingenious way to deal with those pesky joints.

I learned years ago to piece 1/2 half the circle and then piece the other half. Then, sew the 2 halves together. They tend to lie flatter for me that way.

Oh, WOW, it creates another star in the middle. Who would-a-thunk-it!

It helps to piece the two eighths of each quarter block together, then piece two quarter blocks together, then piece the two halves together.

PenniF you are brilliant . Found a great way around a problem and make that star your own.

Nifty idea!

What an absolutely fabulous idea. Thank you so much for giving it to all of us.

I like that idea. And the pounding idea. Guess it will depend on the pattern as to which I do in each case. My mother used a hammer to hem jeans. Made the fold stay in and helped with getting it all under the pressing foot and sewing. I do that too. Never would have thought to pound a quilt. Cool.

If you are making star blocks, another way to avoid having all those sections come together in the middle is make your block a different way. I draw my pattern like a circle within a circle. Cut on one of the spike lines to open the circle. Make sure to add seam allowance to both ends where the paper is cut apart. Roll up the extra paper and secure with a paper clip. Then start adding your fabric sections to the one end, unrolling a bit of paper and reclipping the pattern to keep it out of the way. When you have added all the sections, carefully line up the two ends, sew that last seam and you'll have a complete circle, which should lay flat. You can then applique a circle to the center opening.

A tutorial over on the Tutorial Forum of this explanation would be great. Hint, hint.

Wow! That is an ingenious way to combat a problem that all of us have with paper piecing. I am so glad you decided to post it PenniF. And please post any other original ideas too! ;-)

I would guess the hammer you would need is called a dead blow hammer it is used by woodworkers to tak apart furniture without damaging the wood. It is made up of rubber or plastic and filled with beebees

I have a rubber mallet (from hardware store) that I covered in saran wrap that I use to flatten seams.

Me too! Great solution for someone who has not made hers for the same reason...