Adventures in Paper Piecing

I've been diligently working on my bee blocks for Compass Quilters this week. While I feel that I'm getting the hang of paper piecing this particular block (the hummingbird), I'm still making mistakes all the time! Here is one of my test blocks:


These fabrics are for my block that I plan on keeping and not what the Queen Bee will be receiving. Here is what I've learned so far.

  1. Pressing to one side doesn't come naturally to me, but I love the way the seams nest perfectly when joining sections.
  2. I need to adjust where I sew for a scant quarter-inch seam due to pressing to the side. Otherwise I'm off just a bit.
  3. Making a template for each piece was the best advice I've taken away from this adventure. I think my previous paper piecing attempts would have been more successful if I'd known to do that.
  4. Despite the instructions, if I trim all 3 sides of the triangle pieces before joining them, I would consistently end up 1/8-1/4 inch small once the block was put together. So now, I'll trim the 2 inner sides and leave the long edges of my triangles untrimmed until the block is constructed. Then I have no problems squaring my blocks up to 5 1/5 inches.
  5. The June Tailor Half Square & Quarter Square ruler is perfect for squaring up this block. One of my best purchases ever.
Out of the 6 blocks I've made so far (still have 2 more to make) - I've only made 1 without any mistakes. If there's a way to mess it up, I have! Accidentally cut off what I've sewn instead of my quarter-inch seam allowance? Done it! Somehow managed to sew down one of the points of a triangle? Done it! Cut a piece too small, despite having the template, and it wasn't apparent until the entire block was put together and saw it when I went to square up? Yep! But that's okay. I learn best by doing and at least I can say that I haven't made the same mistake twice. If nothing else, this has given me the confidence to try some other blocks in the future. Would I attempt an entire quilt that is paper pieced. I don't know but only time will tell.

Comments

  1. Granny Maud's GirlAugust 9, 2014 at 3:42 AM

    Your test block looks like Shauna's test blocks in colour and fabric choices. Are you two secretly making a second quilt? :)
    I hope the rest are problem free.

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  2. TanyiaAugust 9, 2014 at 9:53 AM

    lol agree and this secret second quilt is gonna be lovely lol! Hang in there, pp will become easy peasy in no time!

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  3. Yvonne from Quilting JetgirlAugust 9, 2014 at 10:38 AM

    So glad you were able to figure out how to make the block work after the test block. I hope the last 2 finish up quickly!

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  4. ShaunaAugust 10, 2014 at 11:54 AM

    We aren't secretly making a second quilt, but if she wanted to send me the blocks I would. HEHEHE :)

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  5. Patch the GiraffeAugust 11, 2014 at 12:04 PM

    "If your not making mistakes then you're not learning" that's what I always tell my students. Sounds like you learned a lot. Yes! You are almost done. I hate how with PP you have to think backwards ... it's hard to wrap my head around! Great job :)

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  6. margaretAugust 12, 2014 at 3:15 AM

    Your blocks look good to me, paper piecing is a technique I still have to try but having read instructions have decided I need to see it being done and then just maybe I will be able to do it.

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  7. Susan at TheBoredZombie.comAugust 12, 2014 at 8:41 PM

    Learning how to make it work is the funnest part. Eventually you'll wonder how it ever mystified you. :)

    The add a quarter ruler opened my world. I find it really helpful for paper piecing.

    ReplyDelete

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