I’m so excited to report that I learned something new – paper piecing!
I finished making this cyclone block for Doris who had July for our quilting bee.
I used a great tutorial Doris provided, and another one I really liked a lot to guide me through the process. I am thrilled that I know how to paper-piece now, so I kept a few notes along the way, just for future reference, since I’m hoping to try this again:
- It helps to color in each area of the foundation paper with colored pencils to keep track of which fabric goes where.
- The fabrics always go right sides together.
- Lay the fabric over the sewing line, but away from the shape you’re going to fill on the paper, since that fabric will get folded back over the sewing line and pressed open to cover the shape you’re filling in.
- When you struggle or have to rip out a seam, remind yourself you are learning something new.
- Remind yourself this is supposed to be fun.
- Remember, you will be sewing on the lines, which means the paper must be right side up, which feels backwards, upside-down and counter-intuitive, since it feels like you can’t actually see what you’re doing.
- Perseverance pays off because it turns out beautifully.
Go out and learn something new this week! It’s quite invigorating!
Terri's Notebook 
A group of us were paper piecing a small quilt one time. I don’t think that was a good thing to start with, but that was my first one and I did alot of rip out then turned around and made another small quilt using that method. I really like to paper piece. It really is fun and pretty easy once you get it down. Glad you got yours complete and it really looks great. Another job well done. I’m sure who it is going to will love it.
The day isn’t full unless you learn something new! Very cool block. I’ve got a few paper piecing projects sitting on my sewing table, I haven’t been brave enough to start them yet. Thanks for the tute links-maybe I’ll get to those paper pieced blocks today (tomorrow?)!
PS- LOVE the “notes” 🙂
this is a really neat block! i have done a little bit of paper piecing and I love how the seams come out so nice and straight (unlike my block piecing sometimes!).
Terri, it turned out great! Isn’t paper piecing fun? It feels kind of backwards at first, but once you get going you get such good results.
very unique, I haven’t tried paper piecing–but yes learning something new in quilting is invigorating:)
i’m so happy that you learned something new and it turned out so beautiful.
just one hour ago a guy crashed his car into mine (i’m ok and so is my car) and i’m so nervous right now that all i can think of is: i wish i was sewing instead of working. sewing always has a calming effect. whether it is something new or something familiar. but something new is even better because it means a challenge and absorves all your attention.
i bet if i was paper-piecing right now I would feel a lot better ahahah
Oh my gosh, Daisy, I can’t believe that just happened to you! So relieved to hear you’re okay! What a scare! I hope it’s not too much of a pain in the butt to get your car fixed and all that goes with that! I think you would definitely feel better now if you were just sitting in your space, even if you weren’t sewing anything! Hang in there! ~Terri
You did it! It looks great, too:)
To daisy (up there ^) I’m glad you’re okay!!
That looks great! The courage!
Thanx for the link to the tutorial! Your block looks great!!! I’m so hoping to start one myself, maybe after summers over. I’d been wondering how they got all those pieces to match up!
Looks great Terri! Wonderful job!
You did great! Paper piecing is on my list too. Thank you so much for the tips and the encouragement, something we all need when learning a new technique! Especially when we are using the seam ripper!! LOL!
Beautiful Terri!! I really like to paper pieces, it helps to keep your pieces/points precise. Way to go girl!
You did a great job on that. Thank you very much too for the links. I have read quite a lot about paper piecing and just have not been brave enough yet to attempt it. I KNOW if I start (WHEN would be a better word ha) I’ll be able to do it because I am very stubborn. It’s a matter of starting anything that seems to be my biggest hurdle. It’s funny too that I’ve been trying to decide what to buy on a site in which I won a gift certificate for. One of the things I have been contemplating is that add a quarter ruler. That looks like such a great little tool to have for anything but especially for the paper piecing.
My apologies for being so late to comment…life has got me so busy that I’m way behind on my blog reading. I did want to tell you that I love this block!! Isn’t paper piecing so much fun? I’ve only done it a few times, but it’s incredible! Just think of all the possibilities!! Nice job and congrats on teaching yourself something new!
This is a super cool block! where’d you find that paper piecing pattern? I’d love to try that.
maybe if I use paper, my patchwork will line up straight! thanks for this!