Need paper piecing help!

[Jorie D.]

Yesterday I made my first-ever paper pieced block. It has a couple of problems, so I am trying it again. I have a question before I can proceed and I have posted pictures here:

http://tinyurl.com/4lqdby

My problem revolves around extending the sewing line into the 1/4" seam allowance. Logic tells me that I should do this for secure seams, but for most of the seams in this block I can't trim the seam allowance without picking out that extension all the way back to the finished edge of the block. Hopefully the pictures will illustrate my issue.

What am I supposed to do in this situation?

Robin in Short Pump

[Charlene F.]

I haven't done a lot of paperpiecing, and have a few thoughts. Are you trimming your seam allowance after each piece you are sewing on? Are you following the order on the paper? Charlene

[Charlene F.]

sometimes you need to tug those stitches free from the paper. I don't know if that's what the quilt police would do, but it is what i have done.

[Charlene F.]

Were you able to view my pictures? Yes, I am trimming the seam allowance after each one is sewn (in order), by folding back the paper along the seam and using my rotary cutter and ruler, cutting at 1/4". In my first block, I did pick out the stitches that were holding me back, but then I had no stitches left in the seam allowance for stability. Is that normal?

Robin

[Charlene F.]

I can't tell how you are laying out your pieces. The pattern side with the lines should be what you are following with the sewing machine needle and the material is underneath. Maybe this diagram will help.... http://www.quilterscache.com/StartQu...tingthree.html
... Charlene

[Charlene F.]

Thanks Charlene. Exactly what I needed! I was not backspacing and this clearly states that I don't want to stitch into the seam allowance.

Robin in Short Pump

[Charlene F.]

It's been a while since I've Paper-pieced, but I know I don't backstitch, and when I'm at the edge of the pattern I think I just sew right off the paper. I do recall maybe taking out a few stitches if I went beyond the 1/4" or else just tearing the paper as jasheeler suggested. The next line of stitching secures the one you're crossing.

And welcome to Va., I even know where Short Pump is... and knew when it wasn't much more than an intersection! It sure has changed!
Florence

[Charlene F.]

I sew to the edge without backstitching. Then I stay stitch around the edge of the template piece before I tear the paper off and then there is not stretching. I spritz the paper with a mist of water and it comes off so easily. Have fun!

Dana in Olive Branch, MS

[Charlene F.]

Jo Ann fabrics carries CAROL DOAKS .. Paper Piecing DVD... (CT publishing) It shows a lot of good ideas in paper piecing. I used my 40% off coupon to buy it and it only cost $10 that way. I will look at it tonight when I get home from work.

I am having a hard time picturing your problem with PP ... Just when does this problem when you piece the first and second piece together or when you do the third and it crossess over other pieces???

I have only done one or two small projects using this techiques. I did use the technique alot when I handed pieced my DJ... I usually just cut the seam after EVERY piecing since there seems to be noway at going back to fix the problem.

[Charlene F.]

Florence, you are certainly correct about how much Short Pump has changed. We've been here 12 years but still remember how "rural" it was back then. We're transplants from L.A. and the "country" feel of the area is what drew us (well that and the schools).

Thanks for everyone's replies. I got a pretty decent block on my 3rd try. I backstitched on each seam which made me feel comfortable that they wouldn't come apart down the road. I did learn that I sewed on the wrong side of the paper but I guess it doesn't much matter. (I put the fabric on the printed side and sewed on the other side.)

I would love to use my Joann's coupon on that DVD, but I can't picture in my mind where it would be in my store. I've never seen DVDs there. (A lady and I were grousing the other day that our store never gets any new books.) Is yours one of those fancy stores? Mine isn't.

Robin in Short Pump

[Charlene F.]

Here's the completed block:

http://tinyurl.com/3rufb6

[Judith T.]

Robin, in the back of Carol Doak's Simply Sensational 9-Patch Stars, there is a DVD. Hope you can get this book. Judy in AZ

[Judith T.]

Oh wow, I'm stopping on my way home from work. I never would have thought to look for a book with DVD.

Robin in Short Pump

[Judith T.]

Oh wow, I'm stopping on my way home from work. I never would have thought to look for a book with DVD.

Robin in Short Pump

[Judith T.]

Well I don't know why that posted twice. Weird.

I stopped at Joann's and found only one Carol Doak book "Mariner's Compass Stars" and bought it. It comes with a CD, not a DVD. Wonder how it differs? It says it's a Foundation Factory CD made by Quilt Pro. I hope I don't have to have Quilt Pro to use it, because I don't.