SandraJennings

Patsy I must say I agree with you on the paper piecing issue. It just isn't my cup of tea. But at least we can say we know what we like, and maybe not feel so bad giving somethings a spike. :lol:

Yvonne

Patsy,
You have described to a tee my first experience with paper piecing. I didn't record my experience quite so eloquently. I did try PP one more time and now it's a favorite technique. I guess my mind is just very twisted!! How else can I explain that I actually like to do paper piecing? :lol: Warped! I admit it!!!

ceannastahr

I'm not fond of it either but have that pattern I want to do someday. Maybe this was just a hard one for a first try. Maybe we can find one that is easier before we give up completely. I'm willing to give it another shot with something easier

Country Quilter

I probably will too! LOL That way I can say it hasn't beaten me yet! LOL

vicki reno

I have tried it and I think maybe the cabbage rose was a trifle bit complicated for some of us. I did finnish out beautifully though. (not from personal experience, but from the pictures I have seen) I have a hard time thinking backwards and uside down, so I probably will stick to applique. Some of the better quilters do make it look so easy :lol:

Yvonne

Use big chuncks of fabric and you'll be fine with the PP. Then you have more scraps for the applique part of your life. It's win-win! :lol:

P.S. I like PP and I didn't do that cabbage rose. It had Y-seams. Yuck!

Marcella

Hi, Mary, This is a late answer, because I was out running around with Yvonne who was visiting when I posted that block. I thank you! and also Ceannastahr & SandraJennings, and AnnM, for the nice comments. I am beaming all over the place here!

The answer to your question is that I did paper piece the four quarters of the star (leaving out a couple of pieces to make it more of a "Christmas star".)

What I know about paper piecing (after I make the traditional mistakes each time whilst re-training after coffee-break) is to remember to put the fabrics right sides together, just as in regular sewing. And I fold the pattern back each time along the seam line to be sure there is enough of the next fabric under it to cover the next piece. And after I stitch it, I iron the seam allowance to "set" it and then iron the new piece back over the seam allowance with each addition. It's slow, so I speed things up by making at least two parts at a time, so I can leave one under the presser foot while I press the other.

I like paperpiecing because it ensures that 1/4-inch seam allowance is accurate (and if it is not I will trim the seam allowance after it is sewn & before I iron it!) Anyhow, it makes the block come out the correct size every time, which is a boon & makes me think it is worth the trouble.

I apologize for my tardiness here. Summer has arrived in Seattle & the garden calls! ta-ta for now (ttfn!)

patricej

go sit in the bowl
:mrgreen:

Marcella

No, no, no, it's not that she is chicken! Me neither! just... I forced Yvonne & Leslee to make that darned Blazing Star. They haven't recovered just yet! ...that's all. really. Nor have, I, to tell the truth, but I did like the way it came out. No paper piecing, just wonky 4-patches and inset seams... tricky. Took lots of IRONING--I mean Blocking!

patricej

tee hee hee
:mrgreen: