NZquilter

I tried my first real foundation paper pieced block over the weekend, (https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/pat...luebird/113899) and I found that I had a lot of waste fabric while doing it. If I tried to limit any waste, I generally ended up with pieces too small. Then I had a lot of ripping. I'm wondering if there is a method of foundation paper piecing that helps with the waste? If anyone has any tips and tricks, please share!

I've been watching Craftsy classes, but so far I'm only seeing the instructors over cutting their pieces, then trimming them down.

nativetexan

I had purchased a book from a quilt designer years ago that had exact measurements with no waste. i never used it and later gave it away. there may be other books out there with help. but for the most of us, paper piecing has a bit of waste built in.

EasyPeezy

Agree with nativetexan...it's the nature of PP. You could try printing
an extra copy of the pattern...colour it...cut it up...then place it on
your fabric (right side of fabric should be up). Give yourself a good
half inch allowance. I still get a bit more waste that traditional piecing
but that's the way it is. With practice you might be able to reduce
the seam allowance...on squares and rectangles. Triangles not so much.
Hope this helps.

KalamaQuilts

when a bunch of us here did the 50 state stars from the Carol Doak book, she gave cutting sizes.
So she might in her other books too.
I found it didn't help me, I was still too short
Far better for us to be using up fabric, than not using it because we might waste some.

cashs_mom

That's the way I think about it. I just don't worry about the waste. I'm getting fabric used up.

Maggie_Sue

Good way to look at this process!!!

quiltedsunshine

Painless Paper Piecing https://www.amazon.com/Painless-Pape.../dp/0971450110 uses less fabric, because you cut strips, and then cut the strips with templates that you trace from the book. I did the Fruit Salad pattern from that book, and the method did use less fabric. However, after completing this quilt, a swore I'd never paper piece 40 something blocks that were all the same, ever again! The tedium about killed me off.

JustAbitCrazy

I used to be short of fabric, especially when the piece was angled, until I realized I needed to fold the paper back over the fabric, instead of holding it up to the light and trying to fold back the fabric in mid air! Geesh! Try folding the paper back over the fabric instead, laying flat on the table surface. Sooo much easier and ​accurate!

Jane Quilter

I agree, just be glad you are using up your scraps!

givio

You can use a template of the pattern to cut the size piece you need, then carefully place it in the proper place before sewing, which would be no wasted fabric. But if you are going to use templates, it probably defeats the paper piecing method. lol