Judy Niemeyer patterns...How hard are they?
06-03-2013, 01:23 PM
#42
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,260
I just finished the top for her Glacier Star. Now keep in mind that I have NEVER done paper piecing until doing this quilt top. I also made changes to her original design because I wanted to make it a little differently. As far as her instructions, yes I have to agree they can be confusing but I have never followed instruction in my life so that's not a big deal for me, I just lay everything out and figure where it should go and then go from there. I was really disappointed that with the amount of the pattern, she doesn't give you a more permanent template pieces.
Because if you like the pattern and use the ones that come with it, you no longer have templates if you ever want to do another. But I got around that also, I cut out the paper pieces and then made my own copies, so I can keep the original ones that came with the instructions.
As far a piecing it together, sure I had some issues but they were mostly because I had never done paper piecing so once I got the hang of it, things went fairly smoothly. Will I ever do another paper piecing project? ONLY if I use some sort of dissolving paper because the picking out of the paper was my biggest pet peeve. A waist of time for me, it took as much time to pick out the paper as it did to sew and the sewing took much longer then I expected. Paper piecing is a lot slower process then normal sewing of pieced blocks. I guess if you have lots of patience then this sort of piecing is ok but it's a very trying thing for someone that's use to getting it done and moving on the the next project.
Because if you like the pattern and use the ones that come with it, you no longer have templates if you ever want to do another. But I got around that also, I cut out the paper pieces and then made my own copies, so I can keep the original ones that came with the instructions.
As far a piecing it together, sure I had some issues but they were mostly because I had never done paper piecing so once I got the hang of it, things went fairly smoothly. Will I ever do another paper piecing project? ONLY if I use some sort of dissolving paper because the picking out of the paper was my biggest pet peeve. A waist of time for me, it took as much time to pick out the paper as it did to sew and the sewing took much longer then I expected. Paper piecing is a lot slower process then normal sewing of pieced blocks. I guess if you have lots of patience then this sort of piecing is ok but it's a very trying thing for someone that's use to getting it done and moving on the the next project.
06-03-2013, 03:35 PM
#43
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nevada
Posts: 6,958
Is there a chance that she or one of her certified instructors is teaching near you? I took a class with her last year and am going to take one with her this fall at my LQS.
She is a great teacher and will give you tips on how to sew her patterns.
She is a great teacher and will give you tips on how to sew her patterns.
06-03-2013, 03:48 PM
#44
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 5,012
I consider myself to be "medium" level for paper piecing....and am working on a Judy Niemeyer quilt right now (Briar Patch) with very little difficulty. Patience and paying attention are good traits to have, but I am not finding it very frustrating at all, and now that I have sort of gotten into a groove, I've been enjoying it. I don't know if you can search my posts, but one thing I did to help was to sort of make sample pieces of each step of the piecing, so I can look at what each piece's placement needs to be. It was a handy reference.
~ Cindy
06-03-2013, 03:50 PM
#45
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Here is that post I referred to: http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...n-t219976.html
~C
06-03-2013, 03:53 PM
#46
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Longwood, Florida
Posts: 2,910
I have made Judy's, Wedding Ring Star, years ago and taught two classes, using her pattern. Her instructions and patterns are precise and I had no trouble with it all. I think you need to be experienced in PP and, that particular quilt would be intermediate to advanced.
I found a tiny pic of it here on my pc. This is not a very good pic as I had to stretch it.
I found a tiny pic of it here on my pc. This is not a very good pic as I had to stretch it.
06-03-2013, 03:56 PM
#47
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
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My BF and I are doing one of her patterns at Quilt Camp later this month. I was very intimidated when I first received the pattern, but then as I studied it carefully, I realized it is written in steps and sections. The instructions are very easy to follow and I think it will be a treasured quilt in my collection
~ Cindy
06-03-2013, 04:01 PM
#48
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 5,012
I just finished the top for her Glacier Star. Now keep in mind that I have NEVER done paper piecing until doing this quilt top. I also made changes to her original design because I wanted to make it a little differently. As far as her instructions, yes I have to agree they can be confusing but I have never followed instruction in my life so that's not a big deal for me, I just lay everything out and figure where it should go and then go from there. I was really disappointed that with the amount of the pattern, she doesn't give you a more permanent template pieces.
Because if you like the pattern and use the ones that come with it, you no longer have templates if you ever want to do another. But I got around that also, I cut out the paper pieces and then made my own copies, so I can keep the original ones that came with the instructions.
As far a piecing it together, sure I had some issues but they were mostly because I had never done paper piecing so once I got the hang of it, things went fairly smoothly. Will I ever do another paper piecing project? ONLY if I use some sort of dissolving paper because the picking out of the paper was my biggest pet peeve. A waist of time for me, it took as much time to pick out the paper as it did to sew and the sewing took much longer then I expected. Paper piecing is a lot slower process then normal sewing of pieced blocks. I guess if you have lots of patience then this sort of piecing is ok but it's a very trying thing for someone that's use to getting it done and moving on the the next project.
Because if you like the pattern and use the ones that come with it, you no longer have templates if you ever want to do another. But I got around that also, I cut out the paper pieces and then made my own copies, so I can keep the original ones that came with the instructions.
As far a piecing it together, sure I had some issues but they were mostly because I had never done paper piecing so once I got the hang of it, things went fairly smoothly. Will I ever do another paper piecing project? ONLY if I use some sort of dissolving paper because the picking out of the paper was my biggest pet peeve. A waist of time for me, it took as much time to pick out the paper as it did to sew and the sewing took much longer then I expected. Paper piecing is a lot slower process then normal sewing of pieced blocks. I guess if you have lots of patience then this sort of piecing is ok but it's a very trying thing for someone that's use to getting it done and moving on the the next project.
Thanks so much for everyone's suggestions. I still don't know if I'm gonna make a JN quilt right away...maybe. As Goofy once said in an old Disney cartoon: "I'm brave...but I'm careful."
~ Cindy
06-03-2013, 04:02 PM
#49
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 5,012
I have made Judy's, Wedding Ring Star, years ago and taught two classes, using her pattern. Her instructions and patterns are precise and I had no trouble with it all. I think you need to be experienced in PP and, that particular quilt would be intermediate to advanced.
I found a tiny pic of it here on my pc. This is not a very good pic as I had to stretch it.
I found a tiny pic of it here on my pc. This is not a very good pic as I had to stretch it.
06-03-2013, 04:40 PM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 823
You will be overwhelmed if you start with Judy's pattern most of her patterns are advanced. I would suggest you start with a simple pattern if at all possible look for a good instructor and take a class. and do several before you attempt Judy's. I love paper piecing. Good Luck.
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