paper piecing...

i have absoultely no idea how to do it, i looked at a few sites but i think i got more confused...any have any good books or sites?

I finished my bag for my SIL.!. i am so glad! now i can finish my pillow for nana, and then begin on MIL pocketbook!!!!!!

I had a terrible night sewing last night!!!!!! i broke a couple of needles, the thread kept getting tied in the bobbin and the tension nob kept moving...but i finally finished it!!! it looks pretty good for my

2 pocketbook and my first gift to give someone!!!!

Larissa, hope your little one feels much better, i know life can be hard when one is sick!!!!

happy holidays!!!! prayers to everyone!!

sewamommy: hazel

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sewamommy
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I'm an advanced beginner, and what I don't understand is a bit more fundamental: why would one want to paper piece at all?

[Since things can get misunderstood when all you see is the written word, I want to emphasize that this is not meant to be sarcastic or nasty or anything other than the real inquiry it is. I really don't know the answer, and none of my local quilting friends could answer either.]

TIA!

Martha

Reply to
Martha

First of all, Martha, there are two kinds of Paper Piecing. English Paper Piecing is the ages old method of folding fabric over paper templates, whip stitching the edges together before removing the papers. Foundation Paper Piecing (which is what we have been referring to in this thread - though not explicitly) is the method where the pattern is draw onto a piece of fine paper or fabric and the pattern fabric pieces are sewn together through the paper, in a pre-ordained sequence. The paper is removed after the whole procedure is finished. There is a modification to this whereby the patterns are drawn onto freezer paper, the first piece is pressed to the paper to hold it firm, the paper is folded back in the numbered sequence and the seam is sewn *beside* the folded paper then folded back and pressed. The same method is followed to the end. I haven't yet proved (by experience) that all foundation paper pieced patterns can be done by this method.

The reason for doing the FPP method is that you achieve great accuracy without having to cut the fabric (or templates - they are all on the paper) accurately. So, you omit two stages of template methods which can cause inaccuracy. Points, for instance, do stay nice and pointy (though they can be 'chopped off' if you are not careful about subsequent additions of blocks! - I think we all know this!).

It is also very quick, once you have had a bit of practice, and you can make very small blocks much more easily than you could with a template method. I make quite a few miniatures, and it is a great help at this scale. . In message , Martha writes

Reply to
Patti

well.. for starters it makes sewing more accurate. then it makes complicated patters easier to do (especially for beginners) as all you have to do is sew by number - someone else has decided on the sewing order to get the best results and if necessary split it up into smaller sections for easier sewing.

I prefer normal piecing but will PP when a pattern calls for it

Reply to
Jessamy

I wanted to learn paper piecing after I saw some of the beautiful star blocks that could be achieved. I've been doing it since June and love the sharp points I can achieve with ease.

Reply to
maryd

Why?

Sometimes you might need a block a specific size and it just doesn't divide up evenly (eg. 8 point star block based on

4X4, and you need it to be 7" or 9" finished), or you need great detail on a small block, or for piecing letters or pictures, or for reproducing very detailed blocks with many pieces very precisely and to the same size, or to get lovely sharp points every time with no stress, or to avoid hassles with bias on a lot of triangles or irregular shapes, or to save having to make templates for odd shapes, or . . . . . .

There are lots of reasons. I don't enjoy FPP much myself, but there are times when it really is the only way to get the finished results I want.

Reply to
CATS

Thanks to all who answered!

I might even go buy the Carol Doaks material; she certainly has been highly recommended here.

Martha

Reply to
Martha

a grand idea!

BTW.. if you order from her own site you can have the book signed ;-)

NAYY but a satisfied customer and user of carol's books

Reply to
Jessamy

And if you ever have an opportunity to take a class from her, take it. She is a wonderful teacher.

Julia in MN

Reply to
Julia in MN

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