Robin20

Hi there. I'm a fairly new quilter and I'm attempting my 1st paper piecing project. I made the pattern from an antique quilt I saw on ebay. It is a Granny's choice block bordered by ocean waves. The problem I am having is with bulk when joining the blocks together. There are many seams in the ocean waves. Also, I have some distortion I was hoping to avoid by paper piecing. I did remove the paper after assembling each individual unit which may be a mistake? Any tips on reducing bulk and keeping things aligned would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
(I couldn't seem to get my jpg pics to upload?!...sorry)

Tartan

Paper piecing can be bulky. It is best to leave in the papers until you assemble the units. It sometimes helps to pin at intersections and ease in any extra that may have stretched with bias edges. If you have already removed your papers, pin and do the best you can.

Dolphyngyrl

I have heard hammering with a mallet can help

eparys

I usually do not remove the paper until I sew the blocks together - then if it is bulky at certain points, you can use a mallet or the tip of the iron to try and get it to behave. Very bulky seams are best pressed open sometimes. I also have a piece of wooden handrail about 18" long that I use (it is flat on one side and curved on the other and lays flat on your ironing board). I lay the seam on the curved top and from there can either pound or press the seam much better.

Can not wait to see your blocks!

PaperPrincess

Hello and welcome. I also leave the paper on so they don't stretch. You can sometime twirl the center point to reduce bulk. Since you are designing the pattern, take a good look at it and see if you can simplify it a bit. There was a post about this recently, can't find it right now...
Re: posting pictures. there's a size limit
First do this:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/qb-help...g-t166655.html
Then do this:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/qb-help...s-t168819.html

Onebyone

This is why I think Craftsy classes are so great. If you can't go to class on the technique you want to do then Craftsy to the rescue. There are great classes on paper piecing using different methods. I like Carol Doak method the best.

tessagin

You can also try Bonnie Hunter website, tips and techniques or just Google youtube.

tessagin

I also have a small iron to press the seams.

ManiacQuilter2

It is difficult to start out with such a complicated pattern. I do use a pin and sometimes even do a basting stitch to make sure my seam pieces are correctly aligned.

SueSew

If you go by Judith Neimeier - I went to one of the authorized classes and they use two kinds of glue - one for fabric-fabric and one for paper-fabric to keep pieces from shifting under duress. They also recommended that little purple thingy to shove the pieces under the needle and keep them in position while stitching. And her patterns have many seams coming together.
Good luck!