For this week’s Delightful Stars Quilt-Along (DS QAL) lesson, I put together a 28-page tutorial on paper piecing. Included are six paper pieced blocks that finish at 6″ square. Each block has been chosen as it provides a learning opportunity for a specific aspect of paper piecing. Here are the six sample blocks:
I have often heard quilters say that they find paper piecing confusing and terrifying. In my tutorial, I have broken down the process into four repetitive steps: Fold, Trim, Stitch and Press. I’ve included detailed photos and tips for each step. I also share numerous tips, aimed at the beginner, such as the one shown below on how to achieve perfect and secure points.
I’ve had lots of interest in this tutorial on Facebook, so I’ve put together a Booklet for those that wish to learn paper piecing but are not interested in doing the Delightful Stars quilt. The full tutorial IS included in Delightful Stars, so if you are doing that quilt, you don’t need purchase this separately. This booklet is available for purchase as a PDF file that you download right away.
Cost: $10.00 (USD)
Purchase here: Booklet: Paper Piecing Tutorial for Beginners
Next week, we return to making the delightful stars, which we will continue making until mid August. Here’s a sneak peek at next week’s lesson:
Want to join in the fun?
For more info and to purchase the DS QAL, visit the main Delightful Stars Quilt-Along page. You can join at any time and catch up at your own pace.
We’re also chatting and sharing our photos in the Facebook Group … come join us!
My First Paper Piecing Project
I thought I would share my first paper piecing nightmare. I really am surprised I came to love this technique despite my first experience.
I purchased a kit many years ago to make a dozen traditional blocks in miniature size. These blocks finish at 2″ square… or they would if I ever finished them. Here are the ones I completed:
I messed up the bottom three shown in the photo. The one on the left, the last row of triangles, I didn’t cut the patches correctly and they are too small to be sewn with sashing or to another block. The back of the other two are shown below:
These two had so many patches, that I guess I got confused and accidentally added a patches to the outside seam allowances. Once I discovered my error, I was so disappointed after all that work, that these blocks have remained tucked in the back of a cabinet and only saw the light of day recently for me to take the photos. They’ve been returned to their hiding place.
One day, I will re-draw the patterns and try again.
Give-Away
To celebrate worldwide quilting day, let’s have a give-away.
Answer the following: What was your first paper piecing experience like? If you haven’t tried it yet, why not? Share a photo, if you like, it’s optional.
Share below in the comments and I’ll pick two random winners on Wednesday (March 19th) to win one of my patterns or booklets of choice. If you’ve already purchased and win the give-away, I’ll refund you.
Winners
This give-away is now closed. Emails have been sent to the winners. Thanks everyone for entering and sharing your paper piecing experience and some photos.
My first paper pierced block was done at our quilters guild. Had a great teacher and I love the outcome of the perfectly pieced blocks.
Love,love,love to paper piece…avoided it for years. It does require some “wackwards” thinking and practice. Now, I have done the 111 blocks for the Farmers Wife and lots of little tiny logcabin blocks with 1/4 inch pieces…i just love them they are adorable. Wish I could leave a picture of them here.
I enjoy paper piecing, I even taught a friend how to paper piece.
My first paper piecing was a wall hanging I made from a pattern in Quiltmaker in 2002. I should share it on our blog, because I was so very happy with it. It hangs in my sunroom over a breaker box, and it is beginning to get faded–I’m going to have to make another. I recently purchased the pattern because I have lost the magazine.
Michele, thank you for the awesome job you did creating the paper piecing tutorial!
I first tried paper piecing on my own and quickly discovered I needed a class. Not as easy as it sounds!
Testing image upload.
My first experience was way, way, way, back in the ’70s. There were no quilting classes or lovely quilt shops with knowledgable staff. I was on my own. I saw a pattern in a book, hand traced it to paper and made a block very similar to what we call a New York Beauty. It was about 7-1/2″ square. I put a couple layers of batt inside, a back on and machine quilter 1/4″ from all the seams. Then I bound it. I think I still have that potholder to thus day! I loved the experience and went on to do more paper piecing. Currently I have a queen sized quilt about 3/4s finished – other projects with deadlines just keep getting the way!
My first paper piece was just after my first quilt a year ago! I wanted to see what it was about, it took me 3 hours to do my first one with an hour ripping it out and doing it over, but at the end, I loved it! I love paper piecing, and even though it is not done, I have finished others. I love paper piecing and am always looking for great patterns. I have by no means mastered this and have plenty to learn.
My first experience with Paper Piecing was in a Craftsy class (Craftsy BOM 2012 by Amy Gibson). Being new to quilting I was terrified to learn but followed Amy’s directions and steps to find that Paper Piecing wasn’t hard at all and that I actually enjoyed it. I have done several others and find that they work great for using up scraps but you don’t have to use scraps when paper piecing. Below is my latest Paper Piecing project (WIP on my Guild Name Badge). Thanks for the chance to win.
I first paper pieced at a quiltsbybarb quilt retreat. She always has a mini project to go with the main project. She had a kit to make a hot pad. I’ll be honest – it was love at first attempt. I was super surprised that I liked this tedious way of quilting but it is pretty cool to see how quilting can really open up when you discover paper piecing. My most recent paper piecing projects are all fairy tale blocks – crazy fun, super tedious, but I know I’ll be so happy with the end results! thanks for this giveaway and happy national Quilting Day to you!
I am working on the Craftsy Carol Doak class, so I made a bird of paradise block THREE times! and yes, it was a charm, the third one was perfect. Working on the sample blocks now!
have done similar in the embroidery hoop, but havent done paper piecing yet!
I love paper piecing! Haven’t done any in a long time, and really feel the need to get back to it!
I have not yet tried it,but I will eventually.
Thank you for the give away.
My lensquilt for my son called StarWarsquilt
Simply put: havent done paper piecing put of fear! It looks hard and complicated! Love to see pieces that sewist have done & envy them
I have not tried paper piecing yet, however I do have a book on it. At the time I was a better quilter and I took a long break and I am getting back into it. I definitely want to try it though!
My first paper pieced project was this Pineapple Block, table runner, I poured over tutorials and made some mistakes along the way, I still have alot to learn, but really enjoy this type of quilting!
My first PP experience was stitching a tiny Christmas stocking that became a pin. The next project was a BOM with houses, a church, etc. around a town square. A friend and I each made a quilt and the experience was great! We learned a lot by stitching the tops together. Unfortunately, it is still a top! My third experience with PP was a class taught by Judy Niemeyer who has designed many gorgeous, intricate PP quilts. Her expertise really helped refine my skills. Your tutorial is great! It will help quilters who are “afraid” of paper piecing.
k(dot)castanette(at)hotmail(dot)com
Was a Christmas table runner, and I did not finish it. I had an awful time with it. I have never tried paper piecing again. But there has to be a better way then what I was doing or I am just all fingers.
my first paper pieced block was self taught! i got the basic’s off the internet about 15 years ago (mind you i said basic’s and i mean VERY VERY basics back then there wasnt much out there) and proceeded to sew the block which did not come out too bad but man it was hard holding the fabric up to the light to make sure it covered the space and then trying to sew the line from the WRONG side of the paper! even with all that i was hooked! LOL i use three steps trim sew press (tho the trim part does involve folding the foundation back to trim off the excess and get that perfect quarter inch seam allowance!
I had a really good first experience with paper piecing. I made a ring of flying geese to put on a pieced quilt back and it was a lot quicker than I expected and you can’t beat the accuracy. Been hooked ever since!
This is the flying geese ring i made. Sorry I didn’t realize I could put it in my first comment.
The time I tried pp I had an idea that big stitches would make getting the paper off easier… Well I was soooo wrong
I’ve purchased paper piecing books since I first learned of this method many years ago. Marked one page from a book and have yet to make that quilt. However, in a BOM here in my hometown I made the 2013 Christmas Quilt and the main block [a large house with chimney] was paper pieced. I was pleased with the results, probably due to being the only one for assistance in the paper piecing class, so I had very good one on one instruction and help. Also, the block was very large and that probably made the paper piecing easier. I’m sure if I tried one of the smaller blocks using this method it would be more challenging. Thank you for putting this challenge in Delightful Stars.
I took a paper piecing class at a LQS and loved it! It seemed to make sense to me. Guess I am a little backwards! :)
My first one was this eagle I made for my son. It was really fun to do it.
btw on the block that the fabric doesnt cover the space no worries just take it off and put new fabric on it is the last piece and would be a very simple easy fix, get some scotch removeable tape to put on the foundation to keep it together before you take out the stitches! as for the two that you added extra onto just trim those down to the seam allowance or simply remove them as well i am guessing the dotted line is the sewing line, they all three could be “fixed” rather easily and another pic for you to look at!
I have never done pp as it has me extremely intimidated. I do want to try it one day. I love quilting and am very new to it. Still learning….
I have done lots of small PP projects. But, my best was a Mariners star wallhanging made out of silk ties. It took a lot of concentration. Once I got it, it turned out beautiful. Sure worth it with that project. The ties gave me more trouble than paper piecing.
I haven’t tried paper piecing yet.. It’s on my to do list once I have nice easy instructions and some time to play
My first paper piecing project was one I tried to do just following the directions, but I didn’t understand the purpose of the numbers very well, so I didn’t always follow the coffect order. I also didn’t cut off enough of the extra bulk fabric between seams. My block was a disaster, and no one else ever saw it. My second one was done in a class. It was much more successful.
My first paper piece was Carol Doak’s 50 stars. I know I was crazy after a lot of struggling, a good seam ripper, I actually finished it. That was the amazing part. It was a 50th Wedding Ann. present for a very dear friend. She loved it and I have never tackled such a large project again. Learned my lesson. Keep it small.
My first experience with paper piecing was a small star that I tried a week or two ago – took me four tries to get it almost correct. My next experience, though, helped me turn the corner – Michele’s practice blocks for the paper piecing parts of Delightful Stars. I’m thrilled with the great instructions, and no longer confused about paper piecing. Will definitely be looking at patterns differently now that paper piecing isn’t terrifying!
My first paper piecing effort was a 3″ block of a light house for my nephew’s graduation quilt…15 years later, I’m still making them. It wasn’t terrible, but I just couldn’t get them quite perfect.
My most recent was my best experience paper piecing and I have decided I liked it. Was a day long class and the instructor gave me the clues I needed.
I know I have a photo of the finished little quilt, but it’s not showing up right now…when I find it, I’ll up-load it. I like it and put it on my door as my only Christmas decoration this past year.
My first was a Judy Martin “Mariner’s Compass” years ago (approx 15yrs), I don’t have a picture I gave it as a gift and that was before I started photography my things that i make.
I wont lie I am scared of it! I did just come across a video on it and hope to get past my fear. I know it is supposed to make things easier but my strange brain makes it more complicated!
I want so badly to learn to paperpiece. I’m so intimidated by the process, I haven’t taken the plunge yet. I’m 62 so I’d better give it a try soon before my eyesight goes and I have no patience left….ha, ha
My first experience will be this weekend! I will try to do the sample blocks from the delightful stars BOM. I can’t wait to give paper piecing a try. Thank you so much for all the great directions Michele Foster.
My first paper pieced experience was making
Flying Geese blocks. I had a wonderful
teacher. She shared a Double Wedding Ring
that was paper pieced. I wish I could find that
one again.
I fell in love with paper piecing years ago. I took a class at a local quilt shop in Maryland and when this block was done with perfect results, I was hooked. If I don’t do a paper pieced block in a while I do have to take it slow at first, but it comes back to me – like remembering how to ride a bike!!
A dear lady in our quilt club taught me and I LOVE it! The first block I did was the Storm at Sea.
My first paper piecing was smaller projects about 15 years ago found at our local quilt shop. Then I moved onto a bigger wallghanging for my dad who loves pheasants. ( I wish I had a photo, but don’t.) I am getting back into it with some kits I purchased last year.
after my paper piecing first workshop, I told to my teacher: I don’t like that. But I always give a second chance to anyone or anything. Then, I try again and since this day, I can’t stop paper piecing. Here is a sample of what I do with paper piecing. It’s a project I’m doing for my granddaughter. It’s a quilt with all characters of Alice in Wonderland. This character is Mad Hatter.
My first paper piecing experience was fantastic! I was involved with a small quilting group (6-8 ladies) and the organizer taught us how to paper piece a 15″ braided heart block using strips of fabric cut approximately 1 1/2″ wide. She had the designs drawn out onto a brown paper grocery bag! It was easy and really produced an adorable design that a beginning paper piecer could be proud of! I loved it, made 2 more and sewed them together into a wall hanging!
after my first paper piecing workshop, I told to my teacher: I don’t like that. But I always give a second chance to anyone or anything. Then, I try again and since this day, I can’t stop paper piecing. Here is a sample of what I do with paper piecing. It’s a project I’m doing for my granddaughter. It’s a quilt with all characters of Alice in Wonderland. This character is Mad Hatter.
I personally e not have not tried it yet. I’m working on quilt as you go blocks right now. I would love to try this,it looks interesting. :-)
I purchased a Christmas wreath pattern & fabric 13 years ago; every time I read it…I get confused:( fear & anxiety are preventing me from starting and ruining the beautiful fabric…..
My first paper foundation piecing project was a Christmas log cabin quilt. I really enjoyed it & have have done several more PFP projects since. The one tedious part (besides removing the paper after the blocks were sewn together) was cutting all the different logs to size. The next PFP log cabin I did, I just cut strips & snipped the ends after sewing onto the foundation – much easier & the results were the same. Thanks.
I recently finished my first paper piece project. It was a small wall hanging of bowls stacked up tall. It was fun to do but the first piece was a stinker and after several rip-outs I called and got help from a fellow quilter. After that it was easy to do.