ok.. so I am getting ready to start a paper piecing project and I need you all to help me get motivated!! I want to see how your projects turned out.. I must admit I am a little scared, but I know I get through it with all the support that is on this site from you!!!
PLease post pictures and tips for me on paper piecing!!!

maybe this might help.http://www.quilterscache.com/StartQuiltingPages/startquiltingthree.html

Here is another site that may help you just type paper peicing and you will find many places on the web to help. Good luck.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/6649/paperpiece.html

This is a great site for most anything you are looking for
http://quilting.about.com/od/foundationpiecing/ss/log_cabin_block.htm

http://quilting.about.com/od/foundationpiecing/Foundation_Piecing_Sometimes_Called_Paper_Piecing. htm

This is a pic of my first attempt at paper piecing.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1044582343037334852LORWjy

I hadn't been quilting long and fell in love with the pattern so I went for it. Because each block is the same, I made templates of each piece and I've continued to do that when I paper piece, especially with a large project.

I trace the finished section and add about 1/2" all around, then use that to roughly cut the piece of fabric. If I just use pieces of fabric I find I often cut them too small (I hate wasting fabric). If I use a template, I tend to waste a lot less.

Don't be afraid, it's not that all that difficult once you get your brain wrapped around the concept!

Check out the paper piecing that has been done here on the BOM's, Tim's Star was the first one that I did, and then I was hooked! Just remember to make sure your pieces are large enough. I made paper templates of the pieces I needed, that way I did not waste too much fabric and I had them all cut, labeled and ready to start sewing :D It also helped me keep all of my fabrics organized and I did not get any of them mixed up while piecing them. I use regular copy paper, set my stitch length short, and when I get ready to remove them, I just fold them along the stitch line and they peel right off. Sometimes I also pressed the seams open, especially where you have a lot of seams coming together, like the center of Tim's Star.

Tip #1: It will be messy. Have a trash can handy for the snippets.

#2. You'll need to vacuum or sweep at the end of your sewing day.

#3. You'll dull rotary cutters quicker because of cutting the edges of pieces to be joined because of cutting thru paper. Those darn dull cutters don't work with &#*^# on a nice fresh piece of fabric later!

4. Have an iron handy. Don't be tempted to just finger press before attaching the next piece. Make it a crisp pressed fold.

5. Save tearing off the paper for when you're really bored - like during a football game and you're "watching" just for your honey's companionship.

6. You'll be hooked. It's not as hard as it looks. It makes beautiful designs that can't be done any other way. It's more simple to get great points.

7. You MUST post photos!

Sara

Here is the link to our pictures of Tim's Star:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/1438.page

It was the BOM for July last year. Making that star is how I got hooked on pp. Then Tim told me to check out Carol Doak's books. Since then I have joined her Yahoo site. She has some great tips on pp & lots of free patterns including a BOM. Here is her site - you may need to join to get in:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CarolDoakQuiltingGroup/?yguid=239235465

And here is the March BOM I did from Carol's site.

lol i only finger press as i go, and if you do iron, never use steam with your paper, or the ink will run. Once you start paper piecing, you will absolutely love it.

I like to do my paper piecing transfering the patterns on muslin and then I do not have to work about getting the paper off the back.
I will post a picture of my first attempt at paper piecing. I love to do it and it is messy with the trimming but worth it.

Barb, your quilts are gorgeous! I have only used paper, can you tell me how to do it onto fabric? With paper i photo copy my patterns onto the paper, how do you get your pattern onto the fabric?

What a funny coincidence. I've been intending to try paper piecing for some time now. This week I finally got sick of doing some hand quilting, so I bit the bullet and started playing around with paper piecing. After a few flubs, I think I've got it! Just pick a really simple design to start with, get some practice under your belt, and you'll be amazed at what you can do!

Beautiful quilts :D

wow those are great tip, sites and photos. Thanks everyone so much for sharing and building my trust in myself. I will have to post a pic when (or if) I ever get it done!

Sara..... I have to post a pic according to your tips, but I didn't see your pic... willl you post one PLEASE!!

I LOVE paper piecing. If there were a stronger word than love, then that's what I would say about paper piecing!!! lol* I paper piece whenever I can. I use tracing paper. You can use computer paper, but if I'm printing a pattern off I always end up tracing it on tracing paper anyhow. I'm too cheap for the water soluable stuff. Here's a paper pieced wallhanging I made...the kitty is a paper pieced pattern I got from Quilt Maker magazine, and the stars are from a book by Peggy Martin.

The frog quilt you see is my first paper pieced project. Just follow the instructions with your pattern or visit any of the sites listed by others above.
It is fun and everything will line up beautifully \
Connie

I put the paper pattern either in a light table or on the window and then place a piece of muslin over the pattern and trace all the lines and numbers with a pencil that doesn't bleed through the material when it is washed. I usually use spray starch on the muslin and sizzing on the washed materials that I will be sewing onto the muslin backing. Then I just go ahead and do the paper piecing like I did with the paper backing only now I don't need to tear off the paper pattern.

Oh, thanks Barb :)

Quilt Mommy- I LOVE your kitty. So many pieces-- GREAT!!!

Thank you! That was so nice to say! :)

here is a pic of my first paper piecing. Still not done, but a diamond in the rough. I am enjoying it alot. Pieces, and points are great! Have fun with it. How is it going for you? Post some pics!! would like to see them
:lol:

wow justme and quilt mommy 2001.. those are great. I really love the cat that turned out GREAT.... ok thanks for the tip too Barb. I can do this, I can do this.. I just need to repeat it as I go. I think I am going to look for an easier pattern to try as my first one. I just LOVE the sharp edges and points that the paper piecing makes. Thanks again everyone for all the great sites and tips you have gave me!! I will post pictures for sure when I start this project!

OMG Quiltmommy!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that little kitty!

Barb; your birds are amazing! Hugely beautiful! Quilt Mommy; the cat is adorable. I love kitties, and I'm making plans for a cat quilt. I have tons of cat fabric. Just me; You are brave to try the curves. I've love the pattern but I'm not that adventurous today. Great job, girls! Sara

Oh my gosh... these are beautiful!! I think I'm going to have to get way more comfortable with regular quilting before I try paper piecing... I just don't get it right now. :(

oh dear.... I shouldn't have stopped by today to see what is going on here... I must clean and do washing aaaaaand do up some strawberry jelly so the berries don't go bad. And now that I was here.. I keep hearing the sewing machine calling with...just a minute or two won't hurt will it???? :( :( maybe it I hurry faster I still can have time to play.... see ya folks later!!!! :D

Thanks to those of you who left compliments! That makes my day!

You know, if you really want to start simple, try taking some draft paper (just a few dollars at Walmart), and drawing out a flying geese block, using a ruler and the lines. Every square is 1/4 of an inch, so it makes it really easy to make geese the exact size you need for a project. Anyhow, draw your goose, then try paper piecing it. Every line is a seam. What I do, is bold the lines with a sharpie, and hold up my paper to the window or a lamp, so I can see the lines better. Mark the color/fabric your going to use for each patch piece on the paper. Just remember, when holding your fabric, behind the paper, remember that whatever fabric is touching the paper needs to cover the patch area and have enough allowance for your seams...whatever is not touching paper, is going to be folded open after you sew, so make sure it will cover the next patch piece. I often allow more than I need, and trim down after I've sewn the seam. It's a really easy way to get the hang of it. That's how I started getting my Mom into paper piecing, she wanted perfect geese and was having a hard time.

Also, the wishing star from my wall hanging, came from the book "Paper Piece the Quick-Strip Way" by Peggy Martin. If you're pretty confident matching up your seams/points, it's another fairly easy block to make. It gets a little trickier when you add curves or lots of pieces, but it's totally doable, even as a beginner. Paper piece!!! It's great!!! :)

that cat is too darling!! love the stars too...the whole thing is stunning! thanks for sharing.

i love the bird one. i just ordered a book with pieced birds in it. i wonder if those are the same birds. i'm going to try a blue jay quilt for my nephew whose name is Jay.

thanks for sharing.