PamelaOry

I’ve decided that I need to try to find a beginner paper piecing class because I really like how the blocks look. My local qs offers Judy Niemeyer classes. What is the difference between that and just traditional paper piecing?

ps. Sorry for the terrible spelling, I tried to fix it but can’t seem to edit the title.

JustAbitCrazy

If you are new to paper piecing, I wouldn't start with those. Judy's patterns are very complex. You should be able to find a more beginner level class to take, or get some paper piecing books and teach yourself. There are lots of good ones, Carol Doak has authored many. Imho newsprint is the easiest paper to tear off. You can get it a Dollar store, usually in tablet form. I have also heard of ladies getting newsprint scraps from a Newpaper printer's office. Good luck, and have fun!

Gay

I think the only difference is Judys' style of quilts, which are awesome. She also supplies the printed papers - I have the pattern for the Bali Wedding Star, but not started yet. Some stitch through the paper, I prefer to fold the paper and sew next to the fold, thus saving paper.

Barb in Louisiana

My first paper piecing was Bali Wedding Star. Judy Neimeyer has excellent documentation and step by step instructions. With a good teacher, there are several of her patterns that are easier than the one I chose that you would do well sewing. Once you get the pattern. Read, Read, read the instructions until you think you understand them. If you are a first time paper piecer, you probably won't. I didn't. Don't worry about it, the instructor will tell you what to do. Once you get started, everything will become much clearer and you will wonder why you couldn't get it the first time you read the instructions. After that first lesson, the instructions will make much more sense. Go For IT!!!!

Edited to add: To me, Judy's patterns are traditional paper piecing but with some of the most extensive, inclusive, directions that you will ever see. Her patterns include all the papers you will need to complete the project. I am very glad I chose to do it the Judy way the first time. I'm not afraid to tackle any paper piecing project now. I will say that a table runner would be the way to go for your first project. It took me several months to complete the Bali Wedding Star.

ckcowl

Carol Doak has great beginner Paper Piecing patterns, tutorials, help, tips & tricks to help you along the way to becoming a paper piecer. Judy Niemeyer patterns are really geared for Expert paper piecers. The teachers for her patterns usually go to special classes to learn to make particular patterns and become certified to teach that pattern. They are not for the feint of heart. ( or for beginners)
i love Paper Piecing and have been doing a lot of it for the past 20+ years- I find Judy’s patterns ( Daunting)
i just spent $79 for one of her patterns- with every intension of making it— it takes 27 1/2 Yards of fabric for the top!
I knew it would take quite a bit- wasn’t quite expecting that much; now I’m back to really trying to decide....do I dive into this? ..... time will tell
visit Carol Doak’s website and learn the basics first,
heres a quilt I made from Carol’s 50 Paper pieced stars book.

SusieQOH

Another good teacher is on Craftsy, Peggy Martin. I tried Carol's way and this other woman's way made more sense to me. It's a skill I've had a lot of trouble with and Peggy made it make sense to this brain!
I feel bad saying this because I know Carol personally and adore her. Have all her books!

NJ Quilter

This was the first paper pieced quilt I made for which I did take a class at my LQS. https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Pic.../dp/188097262X. I tried learning to paper piece on my own but had a really hard time wrapping my head around the 'upside down and backwards' concept, lol. Guess I'm more of a visual learner. At any rate, once the concept was shown/explained to me in the class, I was fine and now have no issues with any paper piecing projects. In fact I'm doing a king size hunters star pattern now. But yes, did need to go buy more fabric because there is lots of waste - no matter how efficiently you cut your pieces - with paper piecing in general.

If this is a new skill for you, try going to quilterscache.com and look at some of their paper pieced blocks/quilts. Watch some youtube videos to get the hang of it. Do a table runner for your first project vs a large quilt. Hone those skills first and then jump in!

Watson

I agree with SusieQOH....have a look at Peggy Martin's technique on Craftsy. I find it much easier and faster than regular PP and she demonstrates everything multiple times so if you're like me you can see it done over and over to figure it out.
She has a number of patterns on the site ans after you know how to do it you can use any PP pattern to use the technique.
Watson

quilterpurpledog

My quilt guild sponsored a JN workshop for the leaf pattern. It was very well done by a certified teacher. I used the leaves I made to make placemats and have enjoyed them a lot. Craftsy has a JN class that is a small project. I have done that. Presently, I am taking a JN class at a local shop. It is quite intense because of the complexity. But, I can do it. I am not sure that I could have done it on my own. However, this is an expensive quilt! I have done other PP-ing. I have Carol Doak's books and like her methods. I am intrtigued by a comment above about folding the paper and sewing next to it.

carolynjo

NJQuilter, I can relate to your difficulty! I am left-handed and dyslexic, so I really can't do paper-piecing, though I have tried and tried! Good luck on your journey.