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 attempt was frustrating and very unsuccessful. I saw a pattern on line and attempted to do it without much instruction and wasn’t able to get the fabric to cover where it was supposed to cover once it was flipped. I have since taken a class and have had much success with the process. After taking the class, I was much more confident in the process and have made and completed a few small projects.
i have not tried it because i am terrified. i am new at all of this. i just need to build my confidence. what i like about it the most though is there is a line for me to sew on which is why i am so attracted to it. (my vision is not great) so i guess i just need a slap on the head :)
My first paper-piecing project was a disaster. I would sew a fabric onto the previous one and when I folded the just-sewn fabric back…………it was too small. So frustrating that I never finished that project. Now I’m participating in the Delightful Stars Quilt Along and I’m a little scared!
I love paper piecing! Nice sharp points. And batiks! Front and back of fabric is the same! :)
My first paper piece was a class I took which I learned nothing I hated it. It took a long time before I tried again and this time I learn how to do right I’m not good at it but I will keep trying. I love the fact that you can get perfect points. Thank You for the Great Give away.
I have never done any paper piecing because in scares the hooey out of me. Believe me I am full of hooey. I love to quilt, but never seem to find the time. I have decided to make it a priority starting this week. Monday’s are going to be dedicated to my quilting projects so why not start a new project next week.
My first attempt at paper piecing wasn’t too bad. I bought the paper piece book of Noah’s Ark and did several practice pieces. Next I made a denim valance with dolphins for my grandson’s room. I have since then made a Christmas tree skirt and a queen sized quilt. I do enjoy paper piecing.
I taught myself paper piecing in 2001 it took me several times to get it right. But I figured it out and completed the block . I fell in love with the technique since then. I have taught a few people paper piecing in the past few years.
I first tried paper piecing almost a year and a half ago. I crashed and burned bad. Recently in my quilt guild they have talked about it and even about a challenge involving it. So I again tried and this time I read up first and wow what a difference. 2 weeks ago I made 12 paper pieced blocks and wow what a difference it is to just not be afraid and know what I was doing up front.
I have not tried paper piecing as of yet. I would like to try it as I am all for trying new things in quilting. The way I see it is, I cannot fail as long as I keep myself open to trying new challenges .
I first attempted paper piecing when I was about 25 , I’m 66 now. It was a sad attempt,no pattern and no lessons. But in mt lat 40’s I unpicked it all and thanks to a friend loaning me a quilting magazine ,I now had a pattern for a grandmothers flower garden. Within three months I had completed the top,quilted it with a twelve inch hoop and had it on my bed ! It contains 3,380 hexagons and scraps from up to forty years old. It has won first prize at my local show and to me is invaluable .
My first paper piecing experience was in 2012 when I participated in the “Bowls With Borders” blog hop and we used a pattern by Regina Grewe. It was a challenge at first but I had fun with it and have done a few more projects since then.
My first paper piecing was making tulips for a coat. I got them off a vest pattern. I pieced together the tulips for a long yoke, and made the rest of the coat out of denim. After a dozen years, it is looking rather frayed, but I still like it.
My first paper piecing block was a sailboat, and it did not turn out very well, and I’ve never tried it again. I’ve seen lots of lovely paper pieced projects, and after seeing your paper piecing tutorial for beginners, perhaps I’ll try it again.
I am new to quilting and thought doing last month Mug Rug would be an easy start. I cried but finish it. Poor partner didn’t say a word. So sweet but I have since learned more, love it and really want the challenge of paper quilting even if I go crazy trying. This is how bad I did : binding and dove flying the wrong way*#@ and if that wasn’t embarrassing enough nice of her but it went World Wide on FB. I really need to prove to the world if I can you can with the great help of you my friends(if you still are) and Quilting Gallery. Well I was going to post a pic but can’t to do right either. Wish me Luck
My first paper piecing attempt was in a class. I actually found it fairly easy, but the teacher kept telling us how hard it was. It made me nervous, but I decided to take part in a couple of paper piecing quilt alongs, and found out it was easy, and I love it! I would love winning your booklet, because I always figure more information, more patterns, more fun, and better projects.
the first time I attempted paper piecing was so frustrating. the first and 2nd piece of the paper piecing was so confusing to me. I so desperately want to learn to paper piece. I would like to take a class with a patience teacher
I haven’t tried it for one I am terrified of it, it looks so complicated and 2 I am a beginner quilter teaching myself how to quilt and have only been at it for 1yr. But by the amount of fabric I have you’d think I was a professional lol
Jeri
Haven’t done much paper piecing. But I love the stars and want to do them. I used to do a lot of crazy patch and I hated the mess of tearing away the paper. Isn’t that silly! Thanks.
I always started paper-piecing by sewing down the first piece, realizing it was wrong, then tossing it away. Finally, I picked a pattern of a cat sitting on a pile of quilts, and I went to a friend’s house to work on it. She asked why I picked something with such teensy, tiny pieces as my first paper-piecing project. I got it done, it reminds me of my cat of the same color, and it hangs on the wall of my cube at work. Ten years after I made it, I entered it in my quilt guild’s quilt show and won a ribbon!
My first paper piecing project was a New York Beauty block. Since then i have completed a Mariners Compass, several bird house blocks and i have actually drafted a block for a design i wanted. I love to paper piece !
Paper piecing has always seemed so fussy. But maybe your tutorial will change my attitude! I will give it a try. Thanks!
I felt like I was trying to do everything backwards when I did my first paper piecing project. My brain was so confused.
My first paper pieceing experience was awful. Had to rip out many times because I’d sew in the wrong order or on the wrong lines. My daughters are all working on some great Judi Niemeyer quilts with no problems, so I’m considering trying again.
My first pp project was a miniature star sampler I created using EQ5. Loved paper-piecing even though I had to redo several blocks it was still fun and I learned a lot since I was self-taught.
My first paper piecing experience was a positive one. I decided to make a Christmas quilt and found a free online pattern. I had no idea that paper piecing was any different to ‘regular’ quilting. I look back now and am pretty pleased that I managed to work it out! After 15 years I still love my paper pieced Christmas quilt (with its dodgy binding!) and bring it out each year.
My first experience with paper piecing was really fun!!! I took a class at one of the local quilt shops and we used Alex Anderson’s paper piecing beginner book. I loved it so much I began collecting paper patterns and purchased the paper piecing paper that you can print your own patterns out .
I have never tried paper piecing, but I want to try. It will be by next project.
I have not done any paper piecing yet but I do plan to. I don’t really have a reason why just haven’t taken the time to try it yet.
My first, and only, paper piecing was when, as a brand new quilter, I joined the local quilt guild and was given a paper piecing pattern to make my name tag!! I didn’t have a clue! But thanks to the many fantastic bloggers in quilt land, I managed to make a passable name tag. Several years later, I am anxious to try some paper piecing and would love to make these fantastic stars, thanks!
It took a few tries and reading of tutorials and tips from others, but I have it figured out now. I still find it slower than regular piecing but I like to do it once in a while.
I have not tried this yet. Just started quilting last Sept. It’s my next step. Your book would really help. Thanks
I saw a magazine years ago, that had just came out, called the Foundation Piecer. I loved all the wonderful things shown, so following their directions I was on a roll! I prefer pictorial patterns.
My first one was a houses block for a bee group. I hated it so much, I cried!
My first paper-piecing experience was with a few small blocks that are still in the Orphan Block box. I’ve moved onto many other projects and I just love them!
I tried paper piecing several years ago and I was so frustrated with it that I have never tried again. I would really like to try it once more but with some good instructions this time.
I have not tried paper piecing but I think it’s time I start to learn.
I’ve made different paperpiecing projects and I love it! The points are great when you use the paper piecing technic. At the moment I am working at the farmers wife quilt. Thanks for the chance!
My first paperpiecing was this beautifull Sneeuwklokje (Snowdrop) for a friend who gave me a lot of snowdrop bulbs.
With the working discriptio I could make it.
I have done paper piecing only once with a small sewing group years ago. It was a very simple block, only 3 or 4 fabrics. It was successful in that I gained an understanding of the process. I’ve not taken the time to explore it further, but with so many neat patterns out there, it’s just a matter of time.
I know the basic’s having watched people at my lessons do paper piecing, but have yet to try it….
Like everything new, it is daunting, until you know what/how you are doing, and then it all becomes easy… all you need is good tuition to get you started – looking forward to learning a new technique!
My first paper piecing project was a little house with a tree, I choose these to do a Christmas block for our drawing in my quilting group. Everything was going great.. I was done, and then I noticed the point on the tree was not connected :( I took it any way to show my attempted and they had me put it in the drawing still. The lady that won those blocks quilted a gold star on the top and it looked perfected, you couldn’t even see that I messed it up.. :)
I made a baby quilt for my great nephew that had farm animals and a tractor amd barn on it. He turned 4 this month and still ises t be quilt today.
I haven’t attempted paper piecing yet as I have too chicken to try.
I LOVE paper piecing! It was the year 2000. The sun was shining, and I was going to take my first quilting lessons at Quilt Odyssey, the love child of my sister, Missy Molino. Between classes, I wandered the aisles of the vendors’ mall and stopped at every demo of each technique being shown in the various cubicles. One was paper piecing. I marveled at the crisp seams and corners, the intricacy of the designs. I couldn’t believe that “sewing by numbers” could bring forth, even from my novice hands, a perfect block. I was hooked!
I have actually taken two paper piecing classes, with very well known teachers, who shall remain nameless because I do not think it is their fault I could not get the hang of paper piecing. I think I was still too much of a newbie to sewing and quilting for the classes. Still want to learn some day, maybe your booklet would help me – unless you want to come here and teach me one on one? :)
What a kind thing to do. Paper piecing isn’t one of my favorite things as I’m not confident in doing it. I would love to win so I can become better at paper piecing.
My first attemp was a tulip when I did a course many years ago. Many fabricpieces are thrown away,because I did the pattern in the wrong way on my fabric.
A few years ago I ‘ve made a whole quilt with many paperpieced flowerblocs.
With your lessons online I hope to get some new tricks to learn.
have a nice day
Truus
My MIL first introduced me to paper piecing many years ago. I loved it from the very first block. Now I sometimes convert traditionally pieced patterns to paper piecing because it is so accurate.
I’ve tried paper piecing but tend to get confused and give up on it…..