One of the reasons I got into quilting last month! was because I had seen a fantastic quilt online made out of union jacks.
To get me started on quilting I am in the process of doing a simple 9 patch quilt and I am enjoying doing it. However, in the back of my mind is that union jack quilt that would be perfect for my sons, especially as we are all British.

But last night in my wisdom I was blog hopping and came across that gorgeous quilt again. I would love to make it but everywhere I look I just can't find the pattern for it. So I came across an asterix (astericks - spelling unsure) pattern and this morning I adapted it and started trying to make a union jack, 5 attempts later and I still can't do it! It turned out very wonky and uneven, lots of unpicking happened. So I gave up on that, I had another search and found a paper piecing pattern on twin sisters for for the union jack. Thinking this would at least make sure everything is straight and lined up, which my previous attempt wasn't I had a go. I printed the pattern out even though its much smaller than i wanted, I thought that at least if I could do a practise then I could always enlarge the pattern. So I have now had 2 attemps at it and I just don't get paper piecing and I am so confused and frustrated................I have looked at youtube examples and I still don't get it.

Has anyone else ever made a union jack flag block by paper piecing? Any suggestions, ideas. Maybe this is one block I should save for another time.

Thanks for the moan, frustrated :cry:

i searched for this, to no avail. does it go by another name?

ttp://www.fourtwinsisters.com/quiltpatterns/2006/union_jack.pdf

Is this the one? At what point does it gets confusing for you? Don't give up - there are people on board who can help

ok, i saw the block, it doesn't seem to look difficult. maybe you just need to take a break. if you live near west allis, i might be able to help you out!

http://www.fourtwinsisters.com/quilt...union_jack.pdf
Here's the same one clickable.

Try this:

http://www.free-quilt-patterns.net/p...UnionJack.html

hope it works

Since you have never paper pieced before, maybe you should practice on something simpler first. Here is a tutorial for a very simple square in a square. Try it, your frustration level will be lower and you'll get some experience before going back to the Union Jack. Good luck.

http://www.quilterscache.com/StartQu...tingthree.html

When starting out don't cut your pieces of fabric too small, keep them much bigger than needed then trim them to size, better to waste some fabric then to unpick all the time. If you post some pictures maybe someone will be able to help.

The pattern really isn't that difficult, but since you're new to quilting I really don't recommend it. It also seems to be a technique that you will love or hate. I definitely think you should check out Quilter's Cache site or Carol Doak's site. If you want it bigger, you can take it to an office supply store and they should be able to enlarge it for you.

Try paper piecing at least three other blocks prior to your first UJ test. It really does require a bit of leap to go from zero experience to the flag.

Simple examples like a pine tree or the quilters cache example above are step number one.

Don't give up! Your ambition is on your side. Try again from the beginning and you'll be a happy paper piecer in no time.