re: foundation paper piecing pattern
 

Hello- I recently purchased a pattern, and I would like to convert it to foundation paper piecing (lots of triangles). I have drawn it up in EQ (see attached). My question is, in what order would you sew the pieces so that you can sew them all at once? EQ has me sewing 3 different parts and then sewing the parts together, which to me, kind of defeats the purpose of paper piecing. Is it even possible/make sense to sew all in one part with this particular pattern? (the numbers/order listed on the screenshot are just thrown on there for placeholders). Thank you for any help

I don't understand what you mean when you say "sew them all at once", can you elaborate?

In my opinion, the purpose of paper piecing is accuracy, not speed.

EQ has it right. I don't see how it could be paper pieced as one. Together, there is always a raw edge somewhere. Though someone else might see how. If it were me, I would make a large diamond and two small triangles. I would start with A3, add A2, A4 and A1. Then I would add A5 the big triangle. On the two smaller triangles, you can either do the same way starting in the center or you could do A7 add A12, A13 then A11. Then A6, A9, A10 adding A8 last. I would press and trim. Using the seam allowance guides to piece the triangle together. It will be interesting to see how someone else would paper piece it.

I agree with toverly. It should be split in 3 parts.
There are different ways to split it but it will give you the
same results eventually. No way to sew sew all at once.
I guess when you learn the basics of paper-piecing it will
make more sense.

Accuracy, not speed, is exactly why I want to paper piece. To get those nice sharp points on all the triangles. What I mean by sew them all at once is to sew the entire block (shown in the attachment), as one unit. EQ had me sew the block in 3 units and then sew the units to each other. Once you have to start sewing units to each other, accuracy starts to diminish, points lost, etc.

I just find that once I have to start sewing separate paper pieced units together to make 1 block, accuracy begins to diminish, points lost, etc. But it seems that it is not going to be possible to paper piece the block as 1 unit :(

Thank you!

I also think one has to piece the 4 small triangles into one unit - and then attach that unit to the larger triangle.

I'd do it a little different than toverly - I'd sew A 1, 2, 3, and 4 together as one unit, A 6, 8, 9, and 10 as another unit, A 7, 11,12, and 13 as a third unit. Then assemble those 3 units and the center triangle (5) together. That way the only sections that you really have to worry about matching up are the 3 main seams at the corner of triangle 5.

I'd also starch the snot out of all fabrics before cutting anything.

Sorry, but I disagree ..... the precision is maintained when you join units in PPing. That is providing you are precise in making the units and then joining them together. Believe me, I have done a LOT of paper piecing, including two Farmers Wife Samplers and a Dear Jane.

It's quite common in PPing to have sub units that you have to join up as many times, you have no option in doing it any other way.

Agree with all the others .... the only way you can do this in PPing is with three units. Two of the units will be the four small tris together. The third will be the four smalls plus the one large tri. Then add the additional two units to the one with the large tri included.

Once you've done a few you'll develop your own routine and will find it will all flow quite easily towards the bigger project.