paper piecing questions

With paper piecing, you would use a larger needle (#14) and a smaller stitch. The needle doesn't dull any faster than normal. I use an old rotary blade to use for cutting through the paper. And to answer the "shifting" question: pin,pin,pin! There are some really good technique books out there - Carol Doak comes to mind - plus lots of free patterns! It is a great technique for alot of things especially teeny, tiny pieces.

I would encourage you to take some classes if that option is available to you. The best way to learn hands on!

Oh, and welcome to the group!

Somewhere recently I read that using pages of an old phone book was great for paper piecing. I tried that today. Findings: (1)works okay if you're just making strip blocks, I'm not a bit sure you could draw or print on it and (2) the stuff sure is fragile. That might be okay in some applications. And I agree about Carol Doak. She's a very fine teacher for paper piecing. Welcome. Polly

If you are worried about dulling your needles, we have found that you can purchase Schmetz needles in bulk on eBay for around $25.00 per 100 (sometimes less). Needles are relatively cheap.... change them often.... it's well worth it in the results you will see!!!

And WELCOME! Glad you found us! :-)

Leslie and Furbabies in MO.

The HairyFacedOnes 'N Me- My dogs aren't my whole life... they make my life whole.

RCTQ- Houston 2004..... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail.... but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn... that was fun!"

The local sewing store does offer quilting classes, along with many other classes. They are quilt fiends! I got a new machine in April and have taken their 'machine mastery classes' this summer. Very good - taught me a lot about my new machine. I've been sewing for 30some years and still learned new things. I expect their quilt classes are also good. Anyway! I know they offer classes all year, but I can only take them in the summer. Which is just about over! So I am looking for recommended books to keep me going until next summer (I searched the archives using Google and didn't find much). I am most interested in construction tips once I have the top done. Binding, ways of managing large expanses of fabric w/out loosing my mind, etc etc. I am planning on doing all my work on the machine (It quilts nicely, no worries) and am also interested in speedy methods of piecing. Not necessarially paper piecing.

I pin basted my little quilt with straight pins before quilting. It seemed to work OK but what do I know? I heard someone mention safety pins? What's the scoop there?

liz young > I would encourage you to take some classes if that option is available

Hi Liz! I love paper piecing. Am working on a wall hanging for my office right now.

This has never happened to me. I usually use size 14 or 16 regular point needles depending on the thickness I'm sewing through.

I pin them in place.

Nope! Pinning it works well for me.. I pin it so that the 'point' of the pin is facing up as I sew, and doesn't get caught in the feed dogs or drag on the SM bed.

Sigh...it's addicting, isn't it.

I love to paper piece, I get straighter lines that way , I do love Carol Doaks books, she is a great teacher for paper piecing , and in taking a clue from one of her books, the only time that I use a pin is with the first piece of fabric, the rest will cling that is if the fabric your using is cotton, it clings to itself. I do use the 14 size needle and only change them for each new project. it works for me.

Dawn

Hi Liz! For sandwiching, basting and quilting your finished tops, there's no better book than Harriet Hargraves "Heirloom Machine Quilting". I also like "Quilter's Complete Guide" by Fons & Porter for basic instructions. Roberta in D

I have been eyeing the bulk Schmetz needles for a while now. I change needles for every project or when the machine gets noisy. Now that I have a machine that embroiders, I go through even more needles. I also tend to sew stuff with lots of layers - sharp needles are gooooooood.

liz > If you are worried about dulling your needles, we have found that you

Now that you've heard from the paper-piecing guru (Carol Doak), there's really nothing more to add, except that getting one (or more) of her books and following her excellent technique suggestions makes it all

Question please, does it also shrink freezer paper? My iron doesn't seem to have a dry cotton setting.

kitty in phx ~an "uh-oh" moment~

Hi Pat: You are most welcome. The name of the quilt is "My Little Town" and it is in my book, "Easy Paper-Pieced Miniature Quilts". Let me warn you, those little quilts are so addictive! All the best, Carol Doak

Yes, Kitty, paper is fiber just like fabric and steam will shrink it slightly. Kitty, just don't put water in your iron and you will not have steam. All the best, Carol Doak

Thank you, I didn't realize the paper would shrink with steam. So far I think I have been lucky and the blocks I have done have turned out alright.

kitty in phx

My steam iron has little "social lapses" if there's any water in it at all, even if set not to steam---so I invested in a cheapo 2nd iron that's never allowed a drink :-)

-- Jean S

Mine is getting like that! I'm so tough on irons - have yet to have one last more than 5 years! Combination of having the iron on for hours and hours, days or week after week, and water that comes courtesy of Blue Circle!