how to paper piece quilt beginner?

Answer 1

Like everything else in quilting, there are several different methods for paper piecing. English paper piecing is the kind described in the answer above. It involves cutting many (MANY) templates, cutting fabric to cover the templates, folding the fabric over the edges, then sewing all of the pieces together. Some people leave the papers in, some remove them. This is commonly used in hexagon quilts with names like Grandmother's Flower Garden, but it can also be used in other one patch quilts (where all of the pieces are the same shape) like tumblers or pyramids. The first link below has illustrated instructions for this type of paper piecing.

A variation on the English paper piecing method uses freezer paper for the templates. You can iron the fabric directly to the paper so you don't have to tack the fabric. This works best if you can find freezer paper sheets that are made to go through your inkjet printer. If not, you have to hand draw all of those templates, and it's just too time consuming.

The other types of paper piecing (also called foundation piecing) are variations of the same basic method. They involve printing papers that have several pieces of fabric. You cut pieces of fabric at least 1/4" bigger than the shape it needs to cover, pin it to the paper, place the next piece of fabric against it right sides together, then sew through the paper on the drawn line. The paper is on the top, the fabric underneath. You fold the fabric back and press, then sew the next piece on, then the next, etc. When you're finished, square up the block and rip all of the paper out. It's best to sew using a shorter stitch because the more perforations, the easier it is to remove the paper. It's really easier to understand this with an illustration, so check the second link.

The next variation (and my favorite) uses freezer paper for the templates. Rather than pinning the fabric to the paper, you tack it with the iron so it sticks. You fold the paper back on the sewing lines and sew next to the paper rather than through it, then fold it and the fabric back into place. Tack the new piece of fabric, fold the paper back for the next line, and continue. Again, photos are far better for explaining this, so check the third link. The great things about this method is you don't have to rip out the paper - you never sewed through it, so you just peel it off. You can reuse it half a dozen times. Also, you don't have to shorten your stitch, so if you make a mistake and have to tear something out it's a lot easier.

Answer 2

This is great fun. I started with the hexegone. Grandmothers Flower garden. I got the pattern out of a book at the library. Traced it and cut it out. I bought a package of light colored construction paper. Cut out exact copies of the hexegones. I then cut my material, by cutting hexegones out of blue material a half inch larger than the paper. Then basted the material to the paper,fold material neatly under the construction paper. Lets say you are starting with yellow, for the center of the flowers (use 100 % cotton) and the next petal is blue, Take one yellow hexegone and place, with blue hexogone, right sides together, now whipstitch the two together. go to next petal and do the same
until you have all six petals connected to the center. When you are done doing this, remove the center construction paper(from yellow material) outline. Now add 12 petals to the blue petals. I usually buy a blue floral print (tiny). When you are done, remove the construction paper from each of the blue petals outline. This is fun, easy and you can carry material for one flower in your purse to the doctors office, etc, to work on in your spare time. I use white material in between the flowers. I buy bits and pieces of material in all colors for the quilt.
When you do it this way the corners are perfect too. Enjoy

Answer 3

quilting.about.com/b/a/257312.htm


Jenn