Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Tutorials
Paper Piecing >

Paper Piecing

Paper Piecing

Old 04-13-2011, 12:25 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
larkspurlanedesigns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 157
Default

When I teach paper piecing I call it quilting by numbers. The number sequence is so important to successful paper piecing. When I design a paper pieced pattern, I try to make the number 1 piece the biggest piece in the unit. It doesn't always work out that way though and I think that confuses people sometimes. They naturally want to start with the biggest piece and add the smaller pieces afterward. There are times when you can ignore the numbers a little bit but those times are not the norm. So my first piece of advice is to make sure you start at number 1.

The first piece of fabric always goes right side up on the blank side of the paper and should be cut larger than the space it needs to fill. It can be pinned or glued in place. I prefer flat head pins because it bothers me when I can't get all the paper out when the block is finished. I like the flat head pins best because I can lay a ruler on top of them and the ruler doesn't "seesaw".

The ruler I like to work with for most of the project is the Add-A-Quarter Ruler. When I first saw it, my thought was, "I don't need ANOTHER ruler!". But when I tried it, I knew I had to have it. It has a lip that measures a 1/4" so I don't have to worry about putting the 1/4" mark of my rotary ruler is the right place each time I have to trim.

After I have my first piece of fabric secured to the foundation, I turn the foundation printed side up so I can place a card on top of the number 1 segment lining up the edge of the card with the line between the number 1 and 2 segments. I fold just the paper back over the card right on that line. Next, I place my Add-A-Quarter Ruler on top of the foundation making sure the lip of the ruler catches on the fold of the paper. Now I can trim the first piece so it has a 1/4" seam allowance. The next piece of fabric is placed right sides together on top of the number 1 piece lining up the edge of the number 2 piece with the trimmed edge of number 1. I can pin this piece in place if I feel the need, but if I use a pin I make sure it isn't close to my sewing line. All of the lines drawn on the foundation are sewing lines so I make sure my pin doesn't touch the one I am getting ready to sew on. I lower my stitch length so I am getting about 15-20 stitches per inch. On my Bernina I set it at 1.5. On Babylock machines, where you have to choose between 1.4 and 1.6, I would choose 1.4.

The shorter stitch length serves a couple of purposes. The paper takes up some space so when it is removed you don't want your stitches to be loose. The shorter stitch length makes them a little tighter. Also, with more stitches per inch, the paper is more perforated and will be easier to remove later.

Now its time to sew! Turn the foundation over, printed side up, and sew on the line between the number 1 and 2 segments. Start stitching at least a 1/4" before the line starts and end at least a 1/4" after the line ends. It is impossible to sew too far in paper piecing because any extra stitches and fabric will be trimmed off before adding your next piece. This second piece of fabric needs to be pressed open and trimmed before adding the number 3 piece. If the sewing line for number 3 piece intersects the first sewing line, when you fold the paper back on the line the first 2 pieces of fabric will fold back with the paper. Simply grab the fabric and gently pull it away from the paper so the fabric will lie flat on the cutting mat and the foundation folds back neatly on the line. Use your Add-A-Quarter Ruler or rotary ruler to trim the exposed fabric to 1/4" and continue adding your pieces in numerical order.
larkspurlanedesigns is offline  
Old 04-13-2011, 02:06 PM
  #2  
Super Member
 
moonwork42029's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Possum Trot, KY
Posts: 3,843
Default

Do you keep a little iron and cutting mat next to you or are you bobbing up and down pressing and trimming?
moonwork42029 is offline  
Old 04-13-2011, 02:12 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
larkspurlanedesigns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 157
Default

I get up to trim and press but I have a "triangle" set up in my sewing room just like they suggest for the kitchen between the sink, fridge and stove.
Originally Posted by moonwork42029
Do you keep a little iron and cutting mat next to you or are you bobbing up and down pressing and trimming?
larkspurlanedesigns is offline  
Old 04-13-2011, 03:44 PM
  #4  
Super Member
 
jmabby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes
Posts: 1,490
Default

Thanks for the info. I just pulled my paper pierce book out last night
jmabby is offline  
Old 04-13-2011, 04:25 PM
  #5  
Super Member
 
moonwork42029's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Possum Trot, KY
Posts: 3,843
Default

Thank you for taking the time to type it out for us :)
moonwork42029 is offline  
Old 04-13-2011, 04:36 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
larkspurlanedesigns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 157
Default

Your welcome! I wish I had some photos to post. Next time I am working on a project I'll take photos as I go along.
Originally Posted by moonwork42029
Thank you for taking the time to type it out for us :)
larkspurlanedesigns is offline  
Old 04-13-2011, 05:02 PM
  #7  
Power Poster
 
amma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Out searching for some sunshine :-)
Posts: 58,856
Default

Thank you for the tute :D:D:D
amma is offline  
Old 04-13-2011, 05:19 PM
  #8  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
larkspurlanedesigns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 157
Default

You're welcome, I hope it helps!
Originally Posted by jmabby
Thanks for the info. I just pulled my paper pierce book out last night
larkspurlanedesigns is offline  
Old 04-13-2011, 06:09 PM
  #9  
Super Member
 
ladyshuffler's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: North Bend, Oregon
Posts: 2,181
Default

I have had an awful time trying to accomplish this...I will look over the instructions you gave and see if it becomes easier for me!
Thank you in advance :thumbup: :thumbup:
ladyshuffler is offline  
Old 04-13-2011, 06:12 PM
  #10  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
larkspurlanedesigns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 157
Default

My pleasure!
Originally Posted by amma
Thank you for the tute :D:D:D
larkspurlanedesigns is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tothenci
Links and Resources
0
11-12-2011 01:56 PM
craftybear
Links and Resources
5
08-16-2011 04:18 PM
craftybear
Links and Resources
0
04-26-2011 01:03 PM
roselady
Main
10
08-29-2009 11:05 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter