Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Paper piecing easy! >
  • Paper piecing easy!

  • Paper piecing easy!

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 01-13-2011, 09:42 AM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    leatheflea's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: martinsville Indiana
    Posts: 4,461
    Default

    Well thats what I've read. I tried it, the pattern I tried had 4 sections PP and then you sewed those 4 PP blocks together. Out of the 4 I got one right. Frustrated I threw them in the trash. All I wanted was a cute little mug rug out of the deal, it was practice for a quilt that I want to make. Anyone have any tips or links that might be helpful? Thanks
    leatheflea is offline  
    Old 01-13-2011, 09:43 AM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2009
    Location: NY
    Posts: 10,590
    Default

    Can you be more specific on what problems you experienced? Were your patches coming up short, incorrect color placement, PP blocks not lining up, what?
    feline fanatic is offline  
    Old 01-13-2011, 09:49 AM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: rural SE Georgia
    Posts: 1,003
    Default

    My first PP I cut the pattern in sections and cut the fabric larger than the sections.
    The I used an uncut copy of the pattern and sewn the sections and then trimmed the fabric. Once you get the hang of it you will not have to cut and measure, you will be able to just look at the fabric and tell that it will be big enough.
    The first piece of fabric is laid down right side up, all of the others are sewn on right side down and flipped over.
    laceybritt is offline  
    Old 01-13-2011, 09:56 AM
      #4  
    Power Poster
     
    nativetexan's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: home again, after 27 yrs!
    Posts: 19,388
    Default

    carol Doak has some free patterns you could try.
    nativetexan is offline  
    Old 01-13-2011, 10:17 AM
      #5  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    leatheflea's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: martinsville Indiana
    Posts: 4,461
    Default

    Originally Posted by feline fanatic
    Can you be more specific on what problems you experienced? Were your patches coming up short, incorrect color placement, PP blocks not lining up, what?
    D. All of the above.

    Some how on one of them the fabric was ascew and had a pucker, I put the fabric in the wrong direction, fabric was wrong side out. I know it just takes practice. I've read on this forum how easy and perfect the blocks come out, it just didnt happen for me.
    leatheflea is offline  
    Old 01-13-2011, 10:33 AM
      #6  
    Banned
     
    Join Date: Apr 2010
    Posts: 158
    Default

    Originally Posted by leatheflea
    Originally Posted by feline fanatic
    Can you be more specific on what problems you experienced? Were your patches coming up short, incorrect color placement, PP blocks not lining up, what?
    D. All of the above.

    Some how on one of them the fabric was ascew and had a pucker, I put the fabric in the wrong direction, fabric was wrong side out. I know it just takes practice. I've read on this forum how easy and perfect the blocks come out, it just didnt happen for me.
    Please try again! It really is a wonderful system. Check Carol Doak.com for instructions.
    user15356 is offline  
    Old 01-13-2011, 10:33 AM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2009
    Location: The middle of an IL cornfield
    Posts: 7,014
    Default

    Carol Doak has the only PP directions I do well with.
    Lisa_wanna_b_quilter is offline  
    Old 01-13-2011, 10:36 AM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    jdiane318's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: springfield, MO
    Posts: 2,033
    Default

    When I first took my paper-piecing class, the teacher placed the tape dispenser right by me. I felt like the slow one in the class. As the class progressed and I had the 'I got it" moment, I was pressing my 3 blocks when the others were still piecing. I do still paper piece but only when it is something special and then it is for special blocks in a quilt. I am glad I learned and once I get started, things move along fairly quick. It takes patience and persistance.
    jdiane318 is offline  
    Old 01-13-2011, 10:41 AM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2010
    Location: North Texas
    Posts: 1,283
    Default

    Also if you know your fabric is large enough you can put just a little fabric glue on the next piece when you get ready to sew and that will keep it from slipping. I always use a little bit more fabric for each piece because it is not the easiest thing to take out.

    mltquilt
    mltquilt is offline  
    Old 01-13-2011, 10:59 AM
      #10  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2009
    Location: NY
    Posts: 10,590
    Default

    Originally Posted by leatheflea
    D. All of the above.

    Some how on one of them the fabric was ascew and had a pucker, I put the fabric in the wrong direction, fabric was wrong side out. I know it just takes practice. I've read on this forum how easy and perfect the blocks come out, it just didnt happen for me.
    Here are some tricks that worked for me.

    1. Make some extra copies of your pattern for cutting apart and for reference. So if your pattern has 7 units, I would make 8 extra copies. Add a generous 1/2" to 3/4" around every side of each different piece in the pattern. I think Carol Doak tells you add 1" but I don't. Cut that out to make templates for your fabric pieces. Cut your fabrics using the templates. They don't have to be exact just the same basic shape and as big, if not bigger then your template.

    2. Take an extra pattern and glue a small swatch of your intended fabric onto each piece you need.

    3. Dont be afraid to pin your fabric in place on the paper pattern. This helps from keeping the fabric going askew on you. After a while you won't need to do this. When I place my unit under the presser foot, before I start sewing I lift up the paper to ensure my fabric is laying straight and hasn't bunched up or shifted in the process of placing it under the foot. It happens more often then you think!

    4. Write yourself a note until you are comfortable with the process to remind you: "Fabric piece #1 is always right side up but all other fabric pieces after that are wrong side up". OR use batiks! then you don't have to worry about right side or wrong side! I actually prefer batiks for PP for exactly this reason! BTW, I have been PP for years and still manage to get pieces facing wrong side out!

    5. Until you get at an expert level with PP I would avoid directional fabrics. I am still not comfortable with them and will not use them unless I don't care if my stripe, that I thought was going to be vertical ended up being diagonal.

    6. I press (finger pressing is fine but if my unit is large I use the iron) and cut down my seam allowance after every unit. This is just the way I was taught and works best for me. I fold my pattern back using a postcard lined up with the seam line that will be sewn next then take my ruler and add 1/4" and cut. That way I can take my next piece and line it right up the raw edge of the first piece.

    I hope these hints and the others that people have posted will help you. I love to PP and it has opened up so many pattern possiblities for me that I would not attempt otherwise. Once you have that "AHA!" moment you will enjoy it and won't be so frustrated.
    feline fanatic 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