nor'easter

I've never tried paper piecing, never thought I'd be interested in learning, but I really fell in love with the pattern in the picture. It's the flag of the German state of Lower Saxony and really is a paper piecing pattern done by a German quilter (she's done all the German states as well as some truly awesome designs http://www.lenzula.de/pattern/free/index.php).

Is it hard to do? Can I learn it on my own? Relatively speaking, is this a difficult pattern? Am I totally crazy to think I can do something like this so early on? Is it easier if it's bigger? Any hints or good sources of instruction you care to share?

My daughter breeds German Warmbloods and Lower Saxony is where many of them originated. She recently returned from a two week breeding stable tour of the area with eighteen of her students and I thought this would be a great addition to her office.

Mamagus

My sister LOVES paper piecing and she's good at it, but I have never seen her do one this complicated. How big is it? You're right... the bigger the pieces the easier it is to get it all lined up.

I'd say from looking at your picture there would be several foundation pieces that would be joined after they are pp.

Good luck!

zyxquilts

It does have a lot of pieces, but it's beautiful! I know that it was easier for me after I saw someone demonstrate pp. Check out Elle's tutorial here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/8578.page
and then you could decide if you want to start with some less complex ones for practice. It will definitely be a wonderful addition to your daughter's office! :D

HMK

Having done a bit of paper piecing, I wouldn't recommend this particular pattern for a first try at it. Maybe make something simpler for a start and progress to this one. Check out Quilter's Cache for patterns & tutorial.

This one would be a neat one to work towards and you'd have such a feeling of accomplishment.

Izy

I have just check out the PDF file and as others have suggested it would be best if you got some practice first as there are lots of small areas, which would be difficult at the 100% size. I think it would be best to enlarge the pattern to maybe 150 - 200% that way the pieces wouldn't be so small and your wall hanging would be much bigger :D

I would make a great wall hanging by the way :lol:

quiltwoman

You can do it!

mic-pa

I love paper piecing and took a class from Carol Doak. My suggestion is to get one of her books which would give you pictures on how to do it. Try something easy at first. Because otherwise you might get frustrated. It is a lovely pattern but would take some practice to before hand to get it. Good luck. Marge PS> www.caroldoak.com might be of some help

Skeat

You will love paper piecing. And, once you understand it and can sew on the line straight you will be off and running:))It is like looking in a mirror and fixing your hair...you will be thinking a bit opposite:))Here is a good pattern to start out on...go to: http://www.geocities.com/pcpiecers/babyfoodjar.html you could put sewing notions fabric in the jar or bugs or just use scraps till you 'get it'. The horse is amazing and will be very do-able once you mastered a few skills. I do agree w/the others that you need to make some smaller pieces first. So, set that horse aside and go practice:))Need any help-just post...we'll help:))You will love paper piecing! Skeat (also, search previous posts for this subject too-much info right here on this board)

nor'easter

Oh, I wasn't thinking of doing this one first!! :shock: Or even second or third for that matter. I'd work up to it and maybe aim for her birthday in July. Good to hear that bigger is easier because I was thinking quite a bit larger than it prints out...something that would make a statement as a wall hanging and be seen over the clutter in a professor's office! :wink:

I think it really might be easier if I took a class (my first!) and will see what's coming up at the local quilt shops. Quilt University has a beginner class starting in February that would work if I find nothing local. I'm also going to ask my library to get a couple books for me. I've always had trouble with points and avoid them as a result, so learning this technique could have huge added benefits for me!! I'm pretty good at 'backwards thinking', or so I've been told... :lol:

Thank you all for your help and encouragement. What a great place this is!! :D

Skeat

Just don't be intimidated. People think that PP is hard and difficult and I refer to it personally as 'cheating':)). I learned how to quilt starting out PP!:))It snagged me in good...and, I'm hooked on it!:0)

Remember the most important part of paper piecing....move your stitch length to a smaller stitch. My normal on my machine is 2.5 and I bump it to 1.5 sometimes 1. This helps punch the paper in your piecing. (It will tear apart when done so much easier!)I use reg. computer paper and print off blocks from my block library. I learned by listening 1 time to someone on how they did it..and, they told me very brief...went home, did it and could not understand why you would sew w/the lines where you couldn't see them....okay...duh!!:))I figured it out after that:))Yes, I can sew them now w/my lines on top for me to see-funny now to think about that!!:))
Classes are always good...but, most of us aren't patient enough to wait...I say go for it and go play and see what you come out with and then let us know:))Skeat