well - i just about think this isn't for me. there must be a secret. i made a million mistakes. i can't seem to get the shape in the right place cuz i can't visualize it upside down. I finally made a plastic template and placed it each time, then flipped it and laid the fabric on top, removed the template and sewed. but there is alot of waste. i had to cut the pieces so much larger than the actual shape in order to be sure to cover.

secondly, getting the paper out is no easy task. i used typing paper. i think after this i would prefer using stabilizer and leaving it.

any suggestions would be most welcome.

I have read many webites on paper piecing. I just don't understand. I need someone to physically SHOW me and walk me thru it. I'm the sort of person who needs hands on.
I want sooo bad to make a Mariners Compass, but it says it's paper pieced, so I guess I'll never make one.
I did, however, find a pattern, need to find it again, that was supposed to be paper pieced and I just did it my way and it turned out just like it was supposed to. So, if that was/is the thing...they why do they paper piece?

Okay you guys....breathe deep!!:)Here's what I want you to do...just follow me...forget where you have been or done at this moment...you will get this...and, you will LOVE it!! It really is so much fun and when you master it (in minutes!) you will all of the sudden realize how easy it was in the first place. How do I know this??Because I've been there too!! Here we go..go to: http://www.quilterscache.com/StartQuiltingPages/startquiltingthree.html and print off this block...heck, print off 4 of them...you might as well make a pillow top:))And, use your regular printing paper...it is fine.
Now...figure out your basic 2 colors for this simple square in a square...nothing else. Decide on your center color first...let's say the center is blue...always a deep blue, that is what I like...:0)...hold your paper w/lines looking at your eyes...not the back of paper...you are to see only the lines in this paper at all times...if you have a window in this room...hold paper w/lines in front of your face...w/light behind paper...then hold your blue fabric behind this paper...you will see in the light that you are waaaay over the lines...that is fine(You will work on cleaning up that later)...and, if you peek around to the backside of this paper...you are looking at the correct side of this blue fabric (not the underside/or wrong side of fabric)Now, while you are holding this paper up, seeing a bit of light thru it ,seeing that #1 blue fabric over the lines (perfect so far!)(use a lamp if you don't have a window)lay next fabric face down (now right sides together) of the fabric you would use inthe number 2 fabric we'll say is yellow....all you care about right now...is this....to cover your 1 lines, (extending over it's square lines) and now at least 1/4"(more is fine)over your #2 line. So, think....2 fabrics together now, extending over the line between your 1 and 2 line....carefully set this down to sew under presser foot...once in position and ready to sew, I drop my presser foot to hold in place for me. Now...most IMPORTANT....take your stitch length waaaay down. I keep mine at about 1.5. This will make smaller stitches...and, at the same time perforating your paper....so, when ALL done...paper will rip easily. Sew on that line between your 1&2....when done...I always double check that when fabric is flipped over, it (yellow)covers now over all of the the 2 lines all the way around....I press fabric down, so you are now looking at 2 right sides of fabric sewn together,pressed...then I flip it back over.....and,cut what would have been a 1/4" between the two to clean it up on the underside. Make sense?? Now, lay your #3 fabric over #2, right sides together make sure you are over now between your 2and3 lines 1/4"...And, you continue until all are done in the same way as above. If you want, print this....sew this w/this to follow instructions. It is fun...don't give up. Most of all, know you aren't silly for not necessarily understanding at first...just keep trying. Quilters are very smart people!! And, you all are! Now, here's something to laugh about....I taught myself after someone verbally told me how to...only I sewed my block w/lines down the whole time I sewed...I just couldn't understand how this is a good thing....then I had my 'aha' moment and realized I had just sewed it upside down:))But, not until the block was done:))LOL You will get this...don't give up...:))Sometimes people go for a too hard of a block to learn on...go simple til you master it. It is no different then fixing your hair in a mirror....it's the same thinking. No question is silly...and, for some, starting out, they might use a piece of double sided tape to hold only the first fabric down in place so it won't slide on them till they get the hang of it. Put all other glues, etc away:))Keep us posted...and, I hope this makes sense...or I will try again...Skeat

skeat, you are too smart! That is exactly what i was going to suggest, diamond in a square pattern. That's the easiest pattern to learn to paper piece with. You guys can do it, i know you can, give it a try :)

Thanks Barb!! You are always such a dear!! Skeat

stay-at-home, i use regular computer paper, or photocopy paper, the paper comes off real easy. The trick is using a real small stich, then its just like tearing apart perforated tickets :) If you have trouble seeing it backwards in your mind, you can lay the fabric piece down on the seam line, then put a horizontal pin in the seam line, and fold the fabric back, and see if it's right. Or, you can just fold the pattern back on the line, and see if it covers the piece of fabric

Awe, thanks skeat, that's how i taught my sisters to paper-piece. They knew how to sew, but had no idea how to quilt, never-the-less paper piece. For our parents 50th anniversary, i planned a quilt, and i wanted us all to make it. My sisters all lived out of town, and i wanted each of them to make some of the paper pieced roses for the quilt lol so i taught them each the diamond in a square pattern first, over the phone, then i sent them each paper rose patterns, and fabric, and by golly, they did it, they each made 6 paper pieced roses, and never quilted a day in their lives! That's how wonderful paper piecing is, just once you "get it" Here is the quilt we made, and they eqach made some of the roses, see guys, it's easy :)

Ok, I'm going to try this after I finish quilting the rest of this heart.
Yes, I am machine quilting it again!
It took me 2 days to tie it, but I didn't like it. I decided to do an all over quilting on it and it's coming out great! Yup, wasted the floss in tying it, but I don't care, it's looking really nice now. Once I get that all done, I'll let it sit, then do the binding and post pictures.

Skeat...I'm going to trust you and if you hear cussing, it's only me! ;)

Beautiful quilt!

Thanks, and there's 50 diamonds around the quilt to represent 50 years, and the flowers in the diamonds were all fussy cut, then they were also paper pieced as diamonds in square. This quilt was all one inch squares too, really hard! But we did it. Really looking forward to seeing your heart quilt finished, it's looking so beautiful already!

Ok Skeat...did you hear me cussing??
Well, I was!
I guess I'm just maybe putting more into it than should be.
Sometimes I do that.
I'm just going to give up on it at the moment.

I do, however have the quilting done on the heatt.
Will post a picture, then gotta bind it.

No...I didn't hear it...:))LOL I don't believe it:))I do understand it...what I understand is in real life we carry full loads and stress and it's sometimes hard to turn it off and give us that think time...so, here's what I'll do...go here and watch this video on how...Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6NEynMOv8k&feature=related I like this one first...there are several to watch...(free!) and when done...go reread your instructions...try-try again little train...you will win this game and then we will name you the 'paper-pieced queen'!!Wait...I might want that title..LOL Skeat

Ok, I promise I will try it again tomorrow. Too late tonight to start anything new.

I know, I know....I was going to try this again in the morning, but couldn't.
I started Googling websites for paper piecing. I found one that explains it step by step and shows pictures along the way. I think I understand it now, but it's still a bit confusing. Looks much easier to just do it in pieces instead of using paper.

The best thing is just 'don't think'! You just do it...there's no think to it. I actually find paper piecing relaxing. If you have ever seen the Dear Jane, Civil War Love Letters, and Civil War Diaries quilts (you can search those titles) you will see why paper piecing is a 'good thing'...the blocks are about 5" and there are little bitty stars in stars, etc...and when done..they will be perfect w/o much thought on them. As long as you can sew on a line:))I pre-plan mine and number before I start...for the phone will ring or something will distract you...and, then you can pick it right back up where you stopped w/no mistakes or thinking. I am working on all 3 of those right now:))I do about 5blocks each month...sometimes more or less:)) Keep us posted on your progress over there:))Skeat

I was thinking this was too hard for me too... but look what everyone wrote... mayne this can help you out too.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/5831.page

I agree with hannahsmom! I'm the biggest pusher of paper piecing! Lol** It CAN most defnitely be done. Don't get discouraged! You can definitely make a Mariners Compass!!! If you're having a rough go, start simple, with a block you could easily piece like a flying geese block or even a bunch of half square triangles. Try using tracing paper and dropping your stitch length down to a small stitch (this will not only help perforate the paper, but it will ensure your stitches won't weaken when you remove the paper). There IS going to be a lot more waste than traditional piecing, but the results are so worth it. Try practicing with scraps or inexpensive fabric for now. When you're confident you've got it down, try your compass with some better fabric! You can do it!!!

i love paper piecing but didn't have a clue about this "exotic" animal until i saw a notice of a paper pieced pineapple class at my local quilt shop.
i saw that it was for beginners and taught by someone i had taken a class from already and decided to dive in.
it was the best class i ever took. super easy!!!!!!!i can't stress how easy and fun this method turned out to be.
however, if i hadn't taken the class i don't know if i ever would have tried it. i am a very visual learner and my little brain often needs hands on to get the hang of something.
so if there is a new method that you want to learn, visit your quilt shop or guild. my quilt shop will do a class if you can get 3 or 4 people to sign up. i understand that some shops require that you purchase material from them to take their class. this one doesn't but you do sometimes have to have the book that applies to the class.
i'm not in a guild (except for this one )but i have heard that they do classes also.
i don't try to paper piece everything but sometimes it is just the best therapy. i usually keep a paper piecing project going so that when i just need a quick sewing fix i can sit down and do a block or 2.
talk about instant gratification!!

I'll try it again later.
I dunno....just maybe thinking too hard on it.
But....if ya'll want to do a get together, my house is available for ANYONE wanting to visit. :D

Brenda Henning does an excellent paper pieced Mariners' Compass. I have made this one.

http://www.bearpawproductions.com/SharpPointies.htm

Her instructions are well done and the quilts are stunning.

M

Hi Skeat, thanks much for all these directions - I won't get to try it till sunday or monday. i think i can do it from what you said. will let you know what happens. The smaller stitches make sense - why didn't i think of that????
Jeanne

You didn't think of that because you were too busy concentrating on your lines over there;))We've all been there too:))Keep us posted!! Skeat

thanks Barb, the smaller stitches will really help. i went crazy tearing off paper. even put it under the water in sink. course I first used Blue Paper so you know what happened! that's right the color ran. use white paper and don't iron with printed side toward iron or you will have to clean the iron. don't ask me why i was doing that... :lol:

stay at home, i iron on any side of the paper, the important thing is not to use STEAM, its the steam that makes the ink run...oh nooo, blue paper, and ran it under water lol, sorry, shouldnt laugh :)

skeat, i'm with you, i find paper piecing soooo relaxing, i just relax and go into my own little world lol, because im not good at having to cut perfect triangles and stuff, and having to match stuff up, so i just love paper piecing, cus no matter what i do wrong, the square comes out the perfect proper size anyways

Yes, Barb...we are paper queens!:))I have to smile when you say 'no steam' for again....I am a steam queen!! I haven't had any run yet...maybe it could be the printer...or the fact you didn't wait for your print to dry;))LOL Skeat

Does anyone know if laser printing makes any difference? I don't have an inkjet printer, mine is a color laser.

I have an inkjet, but I think you're still fine! Does it use toner rather than ink? I used to work at company that only sold printers and copiers...but I did accounting! Lol* I used to get black ink all over my hands, and they said warm to hot water would remove the ink. So I wonder if ironing over the ink when paper piecing might make it come off on the fabric. I would test it first. :) Let us know your results too! :)

You can try going to Fon's and Porter site, I think they have a show on paper piecing but I can not remember what series it is in. You can buy the DVD for a very reasonable price. They show every detail you have to know to do there projects. The site is fonsandporter.com

I have done many paper pieced patterns and truly enjoyed it. I am very fortunate to have a friend that is an award winning quilter and I like you, have to be shown and she is right there to help me.

Patty in Pa.

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I just did a search on Paper Pieceing Quilting and it came up with a page full of sites. I hope this helps. I wish you were here so I could show you in person. Just think " I can count so I can paper piece"

Patty in Pa

http://www.quiltingpassion.com/Terry/paper-piecing.html

Try this site and see if it helps.

Patty in Pa.

Somebody please tell me how to insert the photo. I am doing "attach files" and choosing my picture but it doesn't insert it. Is there something about hitting "Img">????????? :evil: I did some paper piecing and want to wow you!

You should just click ATTACH FILE, then BROWSE to find the file you want.
Once you find the file, you should now have another box that comes up with the name of your file. There should be 2 boxes on the bottom right of that box, one says OPEN, the other CANCEL.
Click OPEN.
Your file should then appear in your message box.
Once it's there, click SUBMIT.
Should work....

Okay ladies, here's my paper piecing. the tulip is the one I did before I bit the dust. I actually did 32 of these leaf parts (the tulip is not paper pieced- just the leaves). That is enough for my quilt - with some big borders. Or I may put grass and a picket fence around it if I get some energy.

Now I did the other two with the advice from Skeat. sure makes a difference. The small stitches and the light box do the trick. Thank you Skeat for all you wrote to help me. Can't believe the kind of help I'm getting from you all.

By the way, I do have a queen size crazy quilt in my waste basket if I should ever want to sew it. Guess that is the by product of this method.[img]

it works! thanks. I think the trick is that I had the picture file too big. I downsized it and it took.

That tulip block is awesome.
Did you find that on the web or from a magazine?

it's from 501 Quilt Blocks by Better Homes and Gardens , page 189

SAH, I have that book and I looked up the block - I am in absolute awe! 124 pieces in that tulip block pic - I would have been stark raving mad. What a great job!

I AM!