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.
If I can remember.I think it was the Farmers wife, or something like that. It was about 30 years ago
Commented earlier about my experience with tiny 1/4 inch log cabins, and thought I’d add a photo
My first experience was at a local quilt shop and it was awful. Then I tried it again, taking a Carol Doak class. I had much more success once I had a better understanding of the technique(s)!
My first paper piecing was a wall hanging that has 3 bird houses and 1 bird. I liked the technique and didn’t have any trouble with it.
The quilt group I belong to issued a challenge about 3 years ago. I decided it was time to learn how to do paper piecing. I made a table runner using a block named “Toad Lily Star” from Schwartz and Seifert’s “Garden Stars” book. It must have turned out okay because I won first place and received a pair of Gingher shears—Wahooooo!!
my first attempt at PP was not pretty at all. the second however was much better. a friend suggested a very simple block. a heart. not very many pieces. easy, to get myself familiar with the technique. it worked very well. I made a lot of hearts.
I still do not love the process, but I sure love the results.!!
after the hearts, I did this :)
My first paper piecing was a fan looking block. Turned out pretty but I didn’t know to change to smaller stitches so when I started taking off paper some of the seams came apart. So sad
I have done some paper piecing in tutorials. I also tried to paper piecing in a miniature quilt, still haven’t finished it. I think I will have to set myself down and concentrate.
Have a couple books…but still haven’t tried doing a Paper Pieced project…YET! lol Love Hexie’s so much…definitely planning to learn how to make those too! :)
Have seen so many cool PP blocks lately too…the need to be brave & jump in is getting stronger than my chicken-liver scaredy cat tendency!! (nervous giggling…)
I drafted my own block (Y=X graph block) to try my hand at paper piecing. It was tons of fun and since I have drafted another one of my own.
I drafted my own first paper pieced block. It probably would have been good to start with something simple and more traditional, but that’s not who I am.
I have not tried paper piecing. I used to watch my mother quilt and have tried some lap quilting. I am interested in learning something new. Mother seemed to love to quilt and I think I would as well.
My friend taught me, I did well. We made a baby quilt which looked like crayons.
I’ve Never Tried PaperPiecing. I Have Only Been Quilting 4 Years. I Am 73. PS, Don’t Understand Why Each Word Is Being CapitalizeD! Aghh!!!
I shied away from paper piecing as long as possible, but I took a wonderful class from Sandy Zuker in NC and it had paper piecing. I did the log cabin at least 6 times. It had 4 colors and they came out poorly when not in order. But I fell in love with paper and have done a lot since then. Signed: Jodi
I have never tried paper piecing in this since – I have done paper pieced ‘quilts’ for scrapbooking pages & layouts and these have turned out quite nicely.
As far as trying it with fabric, just not brave enough yet.
A sense of achievement at the completed piece. I still have it 42 years later.
I have’t tried paper piecing yet, but it is on my bucket list. Thanks!
I just finished a queen size quilt. It was my first time doing paper piecing, and I must say, at first I didn’t like it very much. Before I was done, I was hooked. I can’t wait to do more. The pieces come out perfect, wish is better than my other quilting projects.
I just checked out a book from the library on paper piecing as I’ve finally worked up the courage to give it a try. Thanks!
My first attempt at paper piecing was a small star miniature quilt. I fell in love with the process.
Thank you for all your quilting tips!
I was fortunate to be able to “sit in” for a paper piecing class with Carol Doak. I bought her book, Mariner’s Compass Stars, and made a wall hanging with her first pattern, Africa Star.
My first time was about 15 years ago. It was very confusing to me.
I fell in love with a displayed wall hanging-tried the class and found myself so confused. Never touched the book or project after the class. Am going to try again now that I’m retired and have my own sewing room. Love the precise-ness of PP.
My first experience was many years ago. I loved the accuracy of the method but ripping the paper off was another story. I’ve since learned better methods for that.
Haven’t done much paper piecing lately, but my first experience was a disaster. I got some help from a good friend after that. Do like paper piecing, since you always get a perfect project.
I created a Santa wall hanging. This was a class that I took a few years bak and the instructor was very helpful. I am now inspired to try it again! I have several patterns just waiting for me!
I keep putting off making my first paper piecing project because I am such a perfectionist and I know mine will just be lame compared to the others on here. I need some prodding!!
I’ve been wanting to try a paper pieced project, but I keep putting it off because I’m a little intimidated by it. I’d probably purchase your beginner’s tutorial if I were chosen because this might give me the confidence to jump into something else. A confidence boost is exactly what I need!
I have sewn some hexies but have not yet completed a paper piecing project.
I have started a hexagon but have yet to get started again. I scare myself by telling me that it doesn’t look right so I stop. Maybe this book will help mem to get over myself. Happy Quilting Day.
I haven’t tried paper piecing yet. Always seemed too complicated to figure out.
I loved paper piecing from my very first project. My last project is still on my quilt wall. It is a paw print with a bird in each corner. My intention was to make enough blocks for a lap quilt but the paw was difficult. Probably I should turn it into a pillow.
I have never tried paper piecing. It looks way too complicated. If I can find some good directions to do it, I’d like to give it a shot!
I’ve done paper piecing a few times now. Had great instructions and google at the ready the first time around. Fumbled through a few other techniques but was really pleased with the final outcome!!
I don’t remember what my first PP project was, but I do remember being very pleased with the results. I think it was from one of Carol Doak’s books, though. I definitely like PP and use it when I want to make sure my points come out sharp and crisp in more intricate stars.
I made the Judy Neimeyer bubbles quilt for my 1st paper piecing. It was challenging & fun
It’s been so long ago that I don’t remember my first PP project. I do remember in the earlier ones mistakes such as not having enough fabric for a patch and having to rip it and try again. I also remember trimming what I thought was the seam allowance only to discover it was the patch I had just sewn. Somewhere along the way, I learned to use a piece of manila folder when trimming the seam and a quarter or eighth inch ruler that only left the part to trim extending past the ruler. I like to paper piece, and I especially like the accuracy.
My first experience was a miniature sampler kit, I liked it right away and have done many projects since including my favourite a very colourful New York Beauty, a perfect was to get all those points.
I’ve only made one thing-a small Christmas wallhanging. I would love to learn how to paper piece, but I’m so scared to try!!! I need help learning more about it.
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Karen
My first paper piecing was the painted desert , I don’t have picture but I can say though it was challenging it was also very gratifying. I will be doing it again,I gave the first one to my sister.
I’ve only done one paper piecing project, and since I’ve not really had any instruction, it came out ok, but it took me several tries.
I’ve enjoyed paper piecing for many years. I’m self-taught and tend to miniaturize patterns for my projects.
Each week I sit in the library and look at the wonderful quilting books imagining what I could make. I never take them home because I know I would never attempt them. I have done one or two smaller quilts but they are always simple easy patterns. Paper piecing has always been one I would love to try so if I was to win this I would definitely give it ago as it would be a sign to give me the courage to try.
I can never seem to get started correctly with paper piecing so I don’t really feel comfortable doing it.
Never paper pieced. Had a friend do one for one of my student quilts and turned out okay. Would like to learn because I really want to work with hexagons. Also, my school kids challenge me with their different shapes in their block designs for their class quilts so sometimes paper piecing would be best.
My first paper piece quilt was a miniature. My friend talked me into doing miniatures and said we could get them done faster and make more quilts! That wasn’t the case but I did hand quilt that piece. Since then I made my daughter a log cabin for her wedding using blue and white prints. It turned out perfect! I love the precision you can get using paper piecing. The the preview of your new book!
The very first thing I ever did was paper piece, so I never knew to be afraid of it *grin* I found my first blocks from 1996 or so and fell in love with them all over again! They are wonky as the day is long, and the colors/materials are SO 90’s…. but I love them! Debating whether to frame them or make them into pincushions or make a wall hanging…. I find the technique easy, as long as you cut your pieces big enough. You just cannot be cheap with your fabric while your learning…..
The first paper piecing I did was part of a Row Robin in my quilt guild. I searched the internet and found a free pattern for a paper pieced fire hydrant (my guild mate’s quilt was dog themed). It was a fairly easy pattern, and I enjoyed it so much, that I also did some paper piecing for the next quilt in the Row Robin – these were Amish blocks.
I made a pincushion with a heart for a swap. I tried it about 4 times before I liked it – but it was still imperfect. I’d love to learn how to improve, it seems like it could be fun and create such nice points!