Master Paper Piecing with These Tips
Good Instructions Can Make All the Difference!
Have you ever tried paper piecing and couldn’t quite get the hang of it? Chances are you just need a few good pointers.
Paper piecing, while it may seem a bit intimidating and confusing, is well worth taking the time to learn. There are so many wonderful quilt patterns available that can’t be nicely pieced by machine any other way.
Plus, you’ll get more accurate blocks and sharper points with far less fussing than with regular piecing. And, once you get the hang of it, paper piecing is really quite easy, and can even become addictive.
Free “Spring Fling” block pattern from Carol Doak. Get it here.
Elizabeth Dackson of Don’t Call Me Betsy has written an excellent book to help you master paper piecing. It’s called The Quilter’s Paper-Piecing Workbook and can be purchased here.
However, an article by Kerry Bogert, with an excerpt from the book, may be all you need to clear up any confusion. It clearly explains how to use a paper piecing template.
A second book, by Nancy Mahoney, also does an excellent job of explaining the basics. You can get a copy of Learn to Paper Piece: A Visual Guide to Piecing with Precision here.
While paper piecing may sound difficult, once you have the right instructions and it “clicks” for you, you’ll wonder why you took so long to dive in. It opens up whole new worlds of precision piecing and is a great addition to any quilter’s toolbox.
You’ll find many beautiful paper pieced patterns here, several of which are free.
Image Source: The image at the top of the page is from Carol Doak.
