Paper Piecing

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How To Paper Piece A Multiple Piece Pattern
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I'm a firm believer that ANYONE can learn to paper piece. It's my absolute favorite craft and I've made loads of projects.

I also design my own patterns and have lot of free ones available on my website. There's a link in the sidebar!

Look for my other projects using this technique - Harry Potter quilts, fantasy wall hangings and messenger bags!

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Supplies
Start by making a copy of the pattern you want to make. Use lightweight paper for your patterns, as it tears off easier. Recycled printer paper works well, as does tracing paper and some drawing papers. There are also a number of commercially available products just for paper piecing.

Choose fabrics you think will compliment the pattern. Always use good quality 100% cotton quilting fabric.

Use paper scissors to trim outside the gray seam allowance of individual pieces of the pattern.
Starting with pattern piece "A," use the post card as a straight edge, fold the pattern piece on the line between 1 and 2. This is your stitching line.

Repeat for the line between 1 and 3.
Place fabric 1 right side up on back of the paper opposite piece 1 (use a light source behind the pattern if you need it to make sure the fabric is big enough). Make sure you have a generous seam allowance (approximately 1/2") all around.
Flip the pattern over
Place fabric 2 wrong side up on fabric 1. Make sure to slide both pieces of fabric 1/4” past the stitching line.
Using a small stitch (10-12 stitches per inch), start two stitches before the stitching line, stitch along the line and take two stitches after the end. By stitching slightly pass the line, it is less likely that the ends the stitches will pull out when the paper is removed.
Trim thread to paper.
Fold fabric two out. Gently dry press with an iron OR use the wall paper seam roller (shown) to press out the seam. Be careful not to pull or tug on the fabric.
Fold on the 1 > 3 line. Keep the paper folded then flip the pattern over. Trim a generous 1/4" from piece 1.
Unfold the paper. Place fabric 3 wrong side up on fabric 1. Make sure to slide both pieces of fabric 1/4” past the stitching line.
Repeat stitching as for line 1 > 2.
Press as before.
Trim fabric around pattern piece, leaving a generous amount for squaring up later.
Press pattern piece "A" with a gentle up and down motion usiing a dry iron. Do not pull or tug the fabric.
Now for pattern piece "B."
Using the postcard or straight edge, fold down the lines between section 1 > 2 and 1 > 3.
Trim a generous 1/4" seam allowance for piece 1 >2. Repeat for 1 > 3.
Just as for pattern piece "A," place fabric 1 right side up on back of the paper opposite piece 1. Make sure you have a generous seam allowance (approximately 1/2") all around.
Stitch on the line between piece 1 > 2 as in previous steps. Repeat for pieces 1 > 3.
Press out seams as before.
Trim fabric, leaving a generous seam allowance for squaring up later.
Press as before.
This is what you should have so far.
On your cutting mat and with your ruler, find the blue line on piece "B."
Cut 1/4" from blue line.

(note: Not all paper pieced patterns include seam allowance. All of my patterns do, but if you're ever working on a pattern without seam allowance, it's important to not forget that and accidentally trim off too much!)
Find the blue line on piece "A" and repeat the process.
Now the "A" pattern piece is ready to join to the "B" pattern piece.
Use a pin to find the outside corner at the end of a blue line. Push the pin through this point.
Find the corresponding point on the other pattern piece. Push the pin through.
Push the pin all the way through to line up the pattern pieces.
Using the pin keep the pattern aligned, stitch along the blue line.
This is what you have now.
Remove the paper seam allowance that was just stitched on the "A" piece.
Repeat for the "B" piece.
Open the block and press as before.
Now you have this from the front.
And you have this from the back.
Time to square up the block! Find the blue line on one side (for more complicated patterns, find the straightest line).
Cut 1/4" from the blue line.
Using the first cut, square up the block to 5 1/2". If the pattern is a little off, go with the ruler's measurement and not the seam allowance on the pattern.
Now you have this...all squared up! Leave the paper attached until the block is in it's final location. That will keep the bias seams from stretching.
From the front.
Finished block, 5" (shown without seam allowance). Use this block for quilts, pillows, bags, pot holders, wall hangings or anywhere else you'd use a square of fabric or a quilt block!

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KattyRa

24 Jun 17:12

Thanx a lot for the how-to....you seems like you put a lot of work!Good job!

ofenjen

24 Jun 17:24

You're very welcome! I'm a serious paper piecing addict and I love to spread the quilty love.

Shivi

24 Jun 23:17

I don't really understand what paper piercing is? Could you explain?

Paper piecing is a quilting technique in which you sew fabric directly to the paper. It gives you a great deal of flexibility and the ability to create shapes and patterns that are hard (if not impossible) with traditional machine piecing.

Hope that helps!

KMOM14

31 Dec 03:52

I had never heard of paper piecing before, but as the things that you have made have turned out so amazing I am going to put this on my list of new things to try in 2009.

Thanks for the tutorial!