I am helping my "daughter" work through a paper piecing project and am hoping to help her with some pictures.

If you would like to follow along, the block is devil's puzzle variation on Quilter's Cache website.

http://www.quilterscache.com/D/Devil...tionBlock.html

I am by no means a pro at this but have worked on paper piecing alot. Hopes this helps, BoJo.

Sheila

Step 1 - Print out 2 of template A and 2 of template B

Make sure the "scaling" button is unchecked on your print screen. Print at 100% and then do the test in the next step.

Step 2 - on ALL paper piecing before you start make sure the test box is 1 inch. Use your ruler, because due to printer issues or website issues they may not print at the right size.

If you notice that they are printing at the wrong size the first place to check is to make sure you turn off the "scaling" box on the print screen.

Step 3 - this is something I came up with for beginners because the question always comes up about "how big do i cut my pieces?" So I measure the front of the pattern and add 1 inch to that measurement. The pattern is the size the finished block will be so you will have to add AT LEAST 1/2 inch for the seam allowances. I find that adding 1 inch gives you plenty of "playing" room.

I usually also print out a copy of the pattern and jot down the sizes of pieces I will need and take it to my cutting table.

My estimate for sizes for this block would be as follows:

center rectangle - 7" x 4"

small corner triangle - 4" square cut on the diagonal

big corner triangle - 6" square cut on the diagonal

Step 4 - While we are making cheat sheets with measurements, why not make one with colors. I usually do this with patterns that tend to boggle my mind just in case I need to glance at it. So back to kindergarten and lets COLOR!

I print out 2 of each template, color them and cut on the outside line with scissors and then tape together and hang on the wall above my sewing machine.

Step - 5 Okay now to cutting fabric. You can usually speed cut these, getting pieces cut for several blocks at one time. I have cut just enough for one block at this time.

Step 6 - Now on the the actual paper piecing. Some of these steps are going to sound backwards, but trust me, it will work out. I am also going to refer to the pieces with the colors I am using (hopefully it won't get confusing)

Lay your printed paper down with the blank side to you.

Step 7 - Place your blue rectangle right side up in the general area of the middle of the paper.

then place the small red triangle on the short end of the rectangle with fabric right sides together.

Step 8 - Holding the fabrics together, pick up the paper and hold it up to the light, adjusting so that the blue rectangle covers on all sides the rectangle in the middle of the paper. The red small square should be on the end nearest the #2 on the pattern.

Step 9 - We are now going to sew on the line between #1 on the pattern (the rectangle) and #2 on the pattern (the small square. You will be joining the red to the blue fabric (right sides together) and them to the paper.

Holding your pieces in place take them to the machine.

Step #10 - Place the groupl, paper side up, under the presser foot and line up to stitch on the line between piece # 1 and #2.

At this point we don't need to worry about and accurate 1/4 inch seam. The paper piecing will take care of that for you. Just make sure prior to sewing that there is an over hang of both fabrics of at least a 1/4 inch.

Step 11 - Sew following the line. Begin at the edge of the block and continue to the other edge of the block. I do not back stitch at either end. Some people do but I think of it as piecing just like a regular quilt and in that process I don't backstitch.

This should be what the back looks like once the first seam is sewn.

Step 12 - Trim your seam to 1/4 inch. Do this by folding the paper back on the stitching you just did, exposing only the fabrics. Lay that down on the cutting mat and line up 1/4 using a ruler. Trim so that all that is remaining is 1/4 inch

Step 13 - Pressing your newly sewn pieces. Fold the paper back to it's original position. placing the paper down on the ironing board. Set the seam and then iron the small red rectangle over the #2 area. The square should cover all of the area including the side seam sections.

Step 14 - Place another small red rectangle over the blue rectangle on the short side, lining up and covering the line between # 1 area and #3. Sew on the line between 1 and 3 following the same steps as above.

Step 15 - Trim seam allowances down to 1/4 and press as shown in the above steps.

Step 16 - Add first large yellow triangle using the same steps as above.

Step 17 - Add last large yellow triangle following the steps above and this is what you end up with.

Step 18 - Trimming up the block. Next we need to trim up the block and get rid of all the excess fabric on the outsides of the block. You do this by placing your straight edge ruler on the outside line making sure to leave the 1/4 inch line intact. Cut off the first side and then proceed to the other three sides.

Step 19 - Stand back and admire your first paper piecing. Of course this is just the first of 4 templates that make a 12 inch block. Finish the next 3 templates using the appropriate colors, following the same steps.

I will finish up this tomorrw as we are having a lightening and hail storm now and I want off the computer, LOL. Hopefully this helps. Can't wait to see your block BoJo.

Sheila

Thank you for that. It is one of the things I want to learn, just not right now, I still have to learn to quilt first. Penny

Hey, Panther, you should have put this in Tutorials!! Great job!!

Thank you for sharing your tute with us :D:D:D

Thank you for the refresher I always forget because it seems backwards until I start again. Great job I plan to book mark for future referrences. Gail