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 piecing project was a Nativity Scene. I ended up with a blue camel and brown sky! Now I love paper piecing. It is so accurate, and you can make intricate designs. Still get things wrong, but just fix them.
It was so long ago, I don’t remember my first paper piecing project. I know I was so intrigued by the process I had to give it a try. I was blown away by the accuracy, and I was hooked. Since then, every time I look at a quilt block, I’m drawn to trying to figure out how I can make it into a paper pieced block.
I loved my first paper piecing experience. It yielded a perfect curved flying geese block.
I have never paper pieced….yet…I am a little intimidated by it, but I will be trying it soon, we will see how that turns out. I love the look of how precise the blocks turn out.
I think my first paper piecing was a flower. I enjoyed it and stitched several projects but drifted away from it until recently and now I am loving the precision and perfection of lines which can be achieved.
Mine was a series of boats – far too small for a beginner! I wish I’d started with something bigger!!
My first paper piecing project was part of the Project of Doom almost a year ago now. I’m really excited about it, though it has had to go on the back burner for a while due to other commitments.
My first paper piecing attempt was a hummingbird. We were at a girlfriends house for a few days out of town and there was wine involved. Needless to say the poor hummingbird didn’t quite make it, but I did continue on to paper piece eventually.
I’ve always been intrigued by this technique; so took a class through my guild. We did a New York Beauty…….oh my….not the block to learn on. Some day when the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I’m looking for a challenge; I may finish it. The piecing part wasn’t so bad but the long curved seam ……..shudder.
I made a couple of little paper pieced blocks. I had to make them more than once to get them right.
I did Amy Gibson’s Craftsy 2012 BOM — When I got to the Paper Piecing, I put it away! I tried one of the blocks and only got 1/4 done – I need to get after it again and finish the quilt! Thanks Michele for all your hard work.
I always thought PP was so neat to look at. Carol Doak came to a town near us and my friend and I took her class
and had a wonderful time. Have really enjoyed it ever since.
Have found if you haven’t done it for awhile, it takes some getting used to again but guess like a bicycle, you never forget just a little wobbly at first. Love the crisp points.
My first paper pieced project was a Project Linus pattern. My youngest granddaughter is called “Doodlebug” so I thought the Ladybug pattern was an appropriate gift for her first birthday. I now know that I did it backwards, but I finished it. Now I try to choose larger and simpler patterns so that I can practice the technique.
I am a beginner quilter. This will be my first quilt, so everything I have not done before. I only started sewing 1 year ago. We have a sewing group at our church and we make dresses, pillowcases, and aprons and send with missionaries going to different parts of the world, including the US. We also make burial gowns for our local hospital. Any tools I can gather will be great
My first paper piecing I will always remember. I was in New York visiting my sister. She introduced me. I made 2 potholders. I can’t say that it is my favorite piecing method but I do have a project in the works that I work on occasionally. Thanks Michele.
Haven’t tried paper piecing yet but I have signed up for Delighful Stars, so here’s hoping I can learn
My first (of only three!) paper pieced blocks was a flower I made to use in a birthday card for one of my nieces. It turned out OK, but it wasn’t an “aha” moment where I said “I love doing this!” I may try it again when the urge strikes. =)
I have not tried it yet just because I have not had the opportunity. I think its a great way to learn a new technique.
My first paper piece experience was 2 or 3 years ago, I joined a BOM on the internet called “Sew Interwined” the instructions were so easy to follow that my blocks were perfect, however I then thought cool I can have another go at PP and was so confused and made so many mistakes that I just thought oh well I may never do pp again, until the delightful stars BOM came along and now i think i’m ready to have another crack at PP.
My first paper piecing project was a paper-pieced Christmas tree. It turned out okay but I have yet to finish it. Maybe I should think about doing that before next Christmas. ;-) I have paper-pieced a lot of crazy quilt blocks since then and have a snowflake design that is pieced but would be better done as a paper-piecing project. It really is fun to do and not nearly as difficult as the first tries sometimes are.
I did a paper piecing last year for the first time. Its was fun and I would love to do some more!
My first paper pieced project was a stained glass cross and it was very pretty for a first try. I have tried a few other things and have made some crazy mistakes but I am still learning and enjoying it!!!!!
I have not done paper peicing and look forward to learning it in the Delightful Stars Quilt Along. It sounds fun and challenging.
Thank goodness I have a very dear and patient friend, although I live in texas and she lives in Maryland, she sent me a tutorial of the process one piece at a time …she was so helpful, I cant say that paper piecing is my favorite of all times, I still have some issues but thank God for dear friends that help to make you better!
My first paper piecing was a dragon fly I designed myself. I had never paper pieced before. It measures about 2 inches square and has 4 sections. I designed a carrot for an Spring project. I found it got easier with every project.
I just recently did a simple paper pieced with Amy Gibson. It was part of a block. Took some time to figure out about placing the fabric and then the sewing. The instructions were not included, except for the size for cutting. Tried a practice block and will do all six of these. I am too impatient to do a whole quilt of them but they do get precise. Would love to win.
If I hadn’t been so tight with my fabric, my first paper piecing experience would have gone much smoother! But once I got going, I just love it!
My first paper piecing project I did I love it. I was hooked.
I finally mustered up the courage to sign up for a “beginning paper piecing” class next month. I’m attention challenged (putting it politely) and have been hopelessly confused by the videos I’ve watched. Can’t wait to learn this skill!
I started paper piecing while doing a BOM. I’ve been doing it for about 2 yrs now and love it! The points are so perfect! I’m amazed at the patterns people come up with. There are so many beautiful star blocks and of course I always pick the ones with over a 100 pieces. I’m working on a stained glass one now that I had to take a break from. I know I will love it when it’s done.
I haven’t tried paper piecing yet but I look forward to trying it as I need to make a new quilt for our Master Bedroom! I have the fabric just looking for the right pattern!
Love paper piecing! My very first try was with a fairly simple pattern so it was easy and fun. I think you may have picked a first project that was just too complex. It takes a bit of practice to get it right. I have made 6 quilts that are paper pieced and they all turned out pretty good.
I tried paper piecing for the first time in a workshop. It looked so complicated and intricate. But, my instructor taught me step by step and I was amazed at the perfection and I was hooked. It was a friendship braid. I think it is the perfect project for first timers. The only part I don’t like is removing the paper on a large project. lol.
This is my first paper piecing experience….I’m scared, but don’t know why…I’m going to start tomorrow!!!!
I’ve only paper pieced one block, and it turned out to be way above my skill level but turned out pretty cool despite it all!
Here is the picture of Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland, paper piecing. The picture didn’t show in comment 46.
My first paper piecing project was a Lady Liberty. I enjoyed the process and would love to give it a try again
My 1st PPP was a darling little 10″ dresses block which ended up being done in 4 parts and was a total disaster that I haven’t returned to. The instructions were woeful. However, I persevered with the method and believe it gives the most precise crisp points to stars. I didn’t know you could PP curves and am off to Google that! This picture is of a Faceted Star I sewed yesterday.
I have been scared for years to do paper piecing – terrors, sweats, brain fade – just at the thought. And then a certain person running a QAL included some paper piecing stars, and i thought, i’m a big girl, i can do this!! .. I tried..just a small 6 inch block with a few strips in it… well, after the tenth attempt with fabric up the wrong way, strips too short – all of these put into the permanent recycle bin (trash)… i made this and then didn’t do any more until this week…. this was my 11th attempt and i didn’t do any more until this week… but i’m glad i did ..
Being new to the local quilt guild I joined the “friendship block” group. The second month I was to paper piece a Christmas block with 64 pieces within it. The owner didn’t provide near enough fabric. It was a stitching nightmare.
Hi Michelle I am looking forward it starting but am out of town at theiment. I’m a little scared lol
I’ve been paper piecing for years and I find the smaller the pieces the harder it is for me to get them lined up right. Here is one of my earlier pieces
I was introduced to your blog who is doing your quiltalong. Your photographs and tips are so clear and helpful. Paper piecing is fun, but I can imagine the value of your piecing. I have described paper piecing to non-quilters as the equivalent of using your non-dominant hand to draw an object you’re viewing in a mirror. Any and all tips are helpful.
A few years ago we lived at the beach and I wanted to make a Mariners Compass to hang above the sliding glass doors that faced the ocean. I had just started quilting and found a simple pattern. There are some mistakes and lessons learned but I loved the process and still love that wall hanging!
The first thing I paper pieced were hearts and it hooked me I really enjoy paperpiecing
I took Peggy Martins class on Craftsy and learned to paper piece. I love it.
I haven’t yet but would like to.
My first paper piecing experience was from a Peggy Martin book, “Quick Strip Paper Piecing”. I did it in a class at our LQS, and I loved it. It turned out beautifully. (not perfect by any means)
My first Paper piece was cats and hearts that I then put in a quilt from my oldest godmother
Mine was a diamond log cabin Christmas tree skirt for my mother in law-only instead of paper, I used muslin and put all 3 layers together at once! It turned out beautiful, but I never got mine made! Diamonds are NOT this gal’s best friend when they are log cabins!