I have never paper pieced anything so please bear with me.

1 - What type of paper do you use?
2 - Do you make your own templetes/designs?
3 - How do you make the half circles with the triangles?
4 - Did you take a class first or just dive right in?
5 - Do you just make a master design and then photocopy it?

Welcome, glad you joined us.
1-I use the cheapest copy paper I can find.
2-I have made my own papers, also have copied patterns, but either enlarged/shrunk the pattern.
3-not sure what you're talking about.
4-have never taken any kind of quilting class.
5-yes, I make a master copy, keeping it intact, cut the copy into the required sections, tape that onto another sheet of paper and make copies that way.

To clarify #3 - you see these quilt often. It looks like the arch of the wedding ring portion but it has triangles instead of the squares like the wedding ring does.

Does that help?

Has anyone ever tried notebook paper in the printer for this project? I have thought about it but....

1. I use both regular paper for the computer printer and when I've made larger patterns that don't fit in the printer I've used tracing paper. You can also put tracing paper thru your printer. I like using tracing paper because it tears away easier than white paper.
2. I've made my own designs as well as copied some out of a book/magazine.
3. I don't know.
4. I had a book which explained what to do.
5. If I'm shrinking or enlarging a design, then I will keep one as a master. Write on it to make sure you don't use it. You'll always need more copies than you think.

Make all the copies you need on the same copier at the same time. Copiers differ and can distort.

Reduce your stitch length. That helps taking the paper off later.

I am using freezer paper right now and I do not actually sew through the paper. Instead, I press the FP to the fabric, align the next piece and use the zipper foot to sew the fabric along the edge.

1 ) Regular copy paper
2) Use designs that I find elsewhere
3) Don't know
4) I had a LOT of help from the board here. In fact if you look in the tute section you will find a tute that helped teach me a very specific block

:wink:

5) I keep a master and make sure I make plenty of extra copies, because you just never know what can/will happen and you don't want to be short , ask me how I know :roll:

Sharon

Are you talking about the new york beauty? Here is a link (I hope)

http://quilterscornerclub.tripod.com..._patterns.html

A link to the tute

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-25541-1.htm

When you get to the site click on how to-s/tips

New York Beauty is what I was thinking of.

Thank you so much for the link.

There are several help sites. One is on quilterscache.com
At the bottom there is a link to paper piecing.
I use paper from the printer. Cheap stuff that is lightweight. I also found a ruler that has a 1/4 inch raised edge that is made to trim leaving the 1/4 inch seam allowance. Love that tool!

I have taken a class with Carol Doak, she is known a the paper piecing queen:)
check out her web site http://www.caroldoak.com/
she has free patterns and may have a how to.

I purchase the paper made for paper piecing.

good luck!!

Here is another tip.
I taught myself how to paper-piece by getting one of Carol Doak's books. She does a great job of explaining the method.

Also, I agree with the others that say to use the cheapest paper you can find and shorten your stitch length . I once used 24lb. printer paper and had a very difficult time removing the paper when I was finished.

1-I use plain old copy paper. after sewing, I fold it over and crease and unfold and tear. I am too cheap to buy the expensive paper and this works great for me :D:D:D
2-I have made my own, I use them off of EQ, and from many online sources... Do a online search for free paper pieced patterns :wink: Quilters Cache has a number of them.
3-Find a pattern for a New York Beauty.
4-No class for me, I just dove right in after looking over a few free online tutorials
5-Like MadQuilter said, make ALL of your copies at once if you are using a copy machine. Not ALL copy machines will make identical sized copies. If you need 30 for the quilt, I would take home 40 :wink: I use my printer, set it to fax quality, I only use 1/2 of the ink and the copies are very readable :D

When you get started PP, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask :D:D:D

I'm doing a Montana Cartwheel which is very similar to the NYB. I was taught to use freezer paper. I do not stitch through the paper, but fold it back, trim and then stitch on the next piece. Then I iron it down and start the process again until I get to the end of the arc. When the arc is covered with fabric triangles, you just trim off the fabric pieces hanging over the edge of the paper.

I'm really enjoying it and it looks so neat an precise when done. :D

Looks like you have gotten all the answers I would have given. It appears intimidating at first, but with a little practice, it is great. There are so many on line resources to help with this process. Good luck and show pictures of your work!

I went to Carol Doak's website and I noticed she has a DVD to go with her beginners book - do you think I should get it as well or is her book enough?

I have her DVD's that have her pattens, I can size them to whatever I want. If it is only for instructions I would try the book first, she does a good job. If you find you need additional direction then spend the $ for the DVD.

Ok you enablers :wink:

I ordered her book Simply Sensational 9-Patch since it seemed like the one for beginners. I will let you know how to go.

If you are making string quilts or crazy quilts don't forget you can use your old fabric softener sheets from the dryer and you don't have to peel it off. It is a perfect foundation and they smell good too!

I'd be careful about using the fabric softener sheets. I think there is another thread that talks about the flamability of the sheets. So for foundation for a wall hanging, they may be okay, but not for a quilt to wrap your grandchild in...

I hope your paper piecing is going well. It is a slick method when you get the procedure down.

I don't use dryer sheets but thank you for the idea. I just have to finish up my current project (which will hopefully be this weekend) and then I can start to play.

Thank you everyone for your great advice.

Here is the only large project I have done in paper piecing.
It started as a class I teaching making only 4 blocks (16 squares). I was having so much fun I continued making blocks, made a mess taking out all the paper LOL :)

This is gorgeous! I know how paper piecing can become addictive. When removing the paper, just collect it and put it in your recycle bag. You are already shredding it!

It looks like you've received all of the answers I would give too. Thanks for the tute on the NYB, I've been "winging" the curves, now I can line them up. I use Carol Doak's paper and it works fantastic, but have used regular copy paper as many have suggested, as well as velum and that works great too. Good luck and have a blast, I am.

Hi, and welcome from Oklahoma.

never heard that, thanks for the info.