Thanks, Skeat. Sounds cheaper that way, too!! I have a ton of tracing paper...wouldn't that be easier than computer paper?

You want something that will tear off easily after you are done sewing.

Is tracing paper tear-resistant? If so, don't use it.

Newsprint type paper works well. Did you know that it is directional? One way tears nice and straight. The other way- very tear resistant. Try it when you want to get grocery coupons without a scissors.

The horse does appear to be done in sections. Very striking.

A what NOT to do:

I was doing some paper-based piecing - and I thought I would be SO smart and sewed about an eighth of an inch from the edge of the foundation so nothing would come apart.

I used recycled copier paper. Which is kind of hard to pry off, also.

And then I sewed my blocks together.

Things were great until I tried to get the paper off. So - if you feel compelled to sew around the edges, either hand baste or machine baste - and then remove the stitching before trying to get the paper off.

i've only done one pp project and that was on pre-printed fabric...and I've wanted to do some pp from my computer blocks, so this is useful to me too! One question that i have had was what paper to use, lightweight copier paper, tracing paper, store-bought pp paper, foundation paper? I believe I am gathering that light weight copier/printer paper will work just as well as store-bought PP paper?

That horse is stunning - DO IT!

I went paper shopping at a big paper supplier to find the lightest weight in paper, etc. I've tried them all. Even purchased foundation paper. I found for me and my printer tracing paper too thin. I've been known to make a mistake, yes, even paper piecing and if you have to snip away a thread or two and you are on too light of a paper...you might as well start over. From what I am reading, some have certain preferences, and all is still good and you just have to do what works for you.
For me personally...regular computer paper........works just fine for me. If you keep your stitch length smaller...there is no problem ripping the paper off. It rips just fine. I am at the present PP a pattern my dad wants for Christmas. I am using both reg. computer paper and recycled computer paper, keeping my stitch length at a 1.5 on my Janome...and, all is ripping just fine. I baste nothig, no extra stitches, etc. I do sew across the 1/4" seam allowance on the paper-that is it. So, don't go to a bunch of trouble or expense...keep it simple and try it out first. Just my HO:0)Skeat

Well, your HO is good enough for me! For my printmaking, I have papers ranging from mulberry paper to mat board, so I should be able to find something on hand that works for me and my trusty Viking! I may try parchment paper, which I also have already, as I have heard some like that best.

Do you think the simple stars on the German site I posted would be an okay place to start? I could increase the difficulty and still have related blocks that way.

Hi there, just saw your post. PP isn´t that difficult. if you also go to the quilterscache.com they have lessons on paper piecing. Try an easy one first, the patterns on quilterscache are marked with pins to show the easiest patterns.

Go for (its like marmite) you will either love it or hate it. Ooops think that might be an English joke. Do you get Marmite in America LOL

Elle

Elle is right...start simple like a square in a square. You are like me...my first learning how to quilt was a Dear Jane:))LOL You can print off the pattern I posted, then try something like this log cabin at: http://www.geocities.com/pcpiecers/log4offcenter.html if all goes well, then do a simple star...etc. You will really enjoy this!:0)

Another thing...after I sew my line...I flip back over and 'then' trim my fabrics to a 1/4" seam...not before. That is why PP is so great for scraps:))You do not have to have straight pieces, etc. We want to see pictures of progress !:))Skeat

LOL I've never really looked for it here, Elle, but I do know what it is. I hang out with a vegetarian crowd and the love or hate thing is very true for them!

I haven't had a chance to go see Elle's tutorial yet, but I will this evening for sure. I'm going to look around for some fairly basic patterns that I like, though I tend to set the bar high when I start something new. It usually works out pretty well for me, but I know the coat of arms is not the place to start with this! It is, however, a great goal!! :D

Skeat, I've done that heart in the regular way. Funny you should post it. How about Storm at Sea? Where would that fall on the difficulty scale? I've wanted to do a Storm at Sea heart quilt ever since I saw one on the cover of the very first issue of American Patchwork and Quilting (April 1993). I could actually cross something off that's been on my 'to do' list for 15 years!! :shock: