Confident beginner with paper piecing woes

[Hannelore N.]

Hi guys! I am working on a paper piece pattern that I downloaded here:



http://www.compuquilt.com/blockimg/2...unStar-web.pdf

It is a great paper piecing pattern, but my problem comes in when I try to sew my blocks together... all of the seams create a lot of bulk in the center and the star looks bunchy as a result.

Anyone have any solutions for this? I am sure it is something simple. I would really appreciate any help, and hopefully one day i can help out beginners like me!

[Kathryn S.]

Oh wow, Dianne you are definitely a confident beginner! You have 16 pieces of fabric coming together at the center. I think that most people have trouble with that. I certainly do! Jan krentz has a couple of excellent books about making lone stars, not with paper piecing,but she deals with the center seam issues. She mentions you can swirl the seams all in one direction or press them open. I believe that she said that pressing open gives your best chance of reducing the bulk and having things match. She has some videos in the classroom section here on TQS- and also an episode where she talked about this. (It's episode 506). Go for it! Kathy

[Annis C.]

It looks like 24 pieces to me. Even advanced quilters would have a hard time with that. I would definitely press the seams open when joining the sections. And I would probably change the design and put an octagon or circle in the center.

[Annis C.]

Thank you for responding. It is 24 pieces. I can adapt the paper piecing instructions so that only 8 pieces meet in the middle or I can cut out the middles and sew in a circular piece, because pressing the seams open was not enough. I will let you know how it goes!

[Annis C.]

I decided to give this block a try since I have some future blocks designed that have multiple seams that join and I wanted to see if it could be done. I would suggest using a fine thread. I use Aurifil. Trimming the seams at the points at a long angle gets rid of some of the excess fabric.



Do the same when joining the sections.



The back of the finished block.

[Annis C.]

The center front of the block. Use a thread that closely matches the fabrics when pressing seams open. The seam is quite bulky but the paper hasn't been removed yet. After removing the paper I will use steam and heavy pressure to flatten the seam more.



From a distance it doesn't look too bad, but I probably wouldn't make this block again. I will keep future blocks at 16 pieces or less.

[Annis C.]

Wow! you do such beautiful work. Here was my first attempt. I will try to redo with your tips in mind, but I think i will modify the block or do another one. I guess no one told me I couldn't do this block so I just plunged right in... I learn a lot this way! I only just learned to sew in November so I know I have a long way to go before i can get good at this.

[Annis C.]

That's the best way to learn. If you don't try you will never know if you can do it. And try several times as it gets easier with more practice. I've been machine sewing for 48 years and it's still a learning process for me as there are so many new tools and techniques and different ways of doing things.

[Jo H.]

Annis, do you need my mailing address? I am loving the golden yellow fabric in your block. Of course everything you do is perfect.

[Jo H.]

Diannke

I am impressed with your block. And to know that you just recently learned how to sew is even more impressive. I can hardly wait to see your next project.

Wow! you do such beautiful work. Here was my first attempt. I will try to redo with your tips in mind, but I think i will modify the block or do another one. I guess no one told me I couldn't do this block so I just plunged right in... I learn a lot this way! I only just learned to sew in November so I know I have a long way to go before i can get good at this.

[Annis C.]

Annis, do you need my mailing address? I am loving the golden yellow fabric in your block. Of course everything you do is perfect.

I would share but there's not much left.

[Annis C.]

Thank you JoJo! It's so nice to hear that!

[Annis C.]

Diannke, I would suggest basting a seam first--make adjustments and pin. Then sew the seam. Takes a bit more time but I have found I learn from the basting. Like, I might have started in the wrong place, or mismatched a point. You are quite brave to start with such a tough block! Good for you! Way to dive in. It's true, you do learn by doing.