quilterpurpledog

Another option is to photocopy your pattern and cut it apart on the lines and use these pieces as templates (labeled, of course) for cutting your fabric. Pin it down and roughly cut around it and proceed as you normally would. It probably saves time because you can audition each piece as you look through your fabric scraps. I know it saves fabric. It also helps greatly when grain or pattern direction is important.

GingerK

When I made a double flying geese paper piece border for a king sized quilt. I did just what quilterpurpledog suggested. Once I figured out that I needed two different sized triangles, I treated the pieces like HST's, (cut squares 1 inch larger than the finished size and then cut in half diagonally.) It really made things go faster and I did not waste as much.

I have a lot of problems with the paper pieced pictures because the angles are not uniform and I seem to be dyslexic when it comes to mirror images.

nativetexan

a few years ago I bought a book at a quilt show that gave measurements to cut for PPing. not much waste. but i never used the book and ended up giving it away. PPing tends to use more fabric but is good for scraps.

tessagin

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzW...bktY4JITE8j5BQ I like to do this way.

Jennifer23

I haven't used this, but there is a ruler called the Add Enough ruler that is supposed to help with sizing your fabric for paper piecing. You can buy it here http://www.connectingthreads.com/too...___D82181.html or here https://www.addaquarter.com/products.php, and the instructions are here https://www.addaquarter.com/pdfs/add...structions.pdf

grammysharon

I have Carol Doakes DVD on PP and she says to measure each piece then add 3/4 or an inch to make sure you have plenty of fabric to cover. There will be waste fabric but the payoff is that the block is always perfect!

Maureen NJ

http://weallsew.com/how-to-make-paper-piecing-easy/

this is is a great tip.

jmoore

the WeAllSew link that Maureen posted appears to be a great one. Since paper piecing is on my 2016 list of goals, I purchased Carol Doak's class from Craftsy and she is very articulate in her instructions.

Monale

I've learned paper piecing from the CD that came with Carol Doak's book "50 Fabulous Paper-Pieced Stars". Found it very helpful, and I'm sure that Craftsy class teaches the same methods. Maybe there is even a youtube video around somewhere?

slbram17

It's been a little while since I paper pieced, but the last time, I did make the templates and cut pieces out using the template. Works really well and less mistakes shortchanging the pieces.