Paper piecing is a simple and traditional quilt making technique that allows you to sew intricate quilt designs once you've mastered the basics. I love to paper piece and I am thrilled to have designed my very first PP pattern which I will be releasing very soon.
In a two part tutorial I'm going to teach you how to paper piece using basic block patterns which you can download ready to sew along with the step by step photos.
Firstly, lets talk about what you'll need. There are specific paper piecing papers available to print or draft your patterns on, including some that wash away after you have completed your project (which would be great for large quilts) but I use the thinnest (gsm) copy paper I can find.
If you use printer paper and are worried about removing it after your project is sewn, remove the thread and bobbin from your machine and sew along the sewing lines before beginning to paper piece. This perforates the paper and makes removing a lot easier.
I have a separate rotary cutter for paper piecing and I load it with my used fabric blades. I also use a universal needle in my machine, but just remember to change it after you have paper pieced as sewing through the paper will make it blunt. I also suggest using a smaller stitch, so you don't rip out seams when removing the paper - between 2.00mm - 1.4mm depending on the size of the templates.
Ok lets sew a basic block. Download and print my free block pattern
HERE. Cut around the dotted line of the pattern (not directly on the dotted line but about 1/4" away) and choose your fabrics:
The pattern is labelled in numerical order (A1-A7) and we are working in that order. This particular block will be worked in one piece, but in Part 2 you will be making a sectioned block.
First we need to cut a square of red fabric for A1 and a square of pink fabric for A2:
When cutting fabric for squares and rectangles, cut each piece at
least 3/4"- 1" larger than it measures on the pattern as all seam allowances need to be generously covered. Bigger is better!
Fold the paper back, along the line between A1 and A2 - don't forget you'll be working from the back of the block.
Place the red and pink squares together, right sides facing and position the squares at least 1/4" from the top of the fold. The wrong side of the red square must be against the back of pattern. Ensure the squares are centred and that there's at least a 1/4" excess around the section you are covering (holding it up to a light source helps to check this).
Fold the paper back and sew across the line between A1 and A2.
Fold the paper back and check your seam allowance and trim to 1/4" if necessary - sometimes pieces move around.
Turn the paper over and press the seam flat.
Fold the paper back along the line between A1 and A3 and trim the red fabric 1/4" from the fold.
Cut a square of pink fabric for the A3 square and with right sides facing, lay it behind the red square, aligning the exposed raw edge. Fold the paper back and sew across the line between A1 and A3.
Fold the paper back and check that you have a 1/4" seam allowance, trimming if necessary.
Turn the paper over and press seam flat.
Fold the pattern back along the line between A4 and A1/A2/A3 and trim excess fabric 1/4" from the fold.
Cut a rectangle of aqua fabric for A4. Place the aqua fabric behind, with right sides together and line up the exposed raw edge, ensuring all seam allowances are covered.
Fold paper back and sew along the line. Fold paper back and check your seam allowance, trimming if necessary.
Turn paper over and press seam flat.
Fold paper back on the line between A4 and A5 and trim excess fabric 1/4" from the fold. Cut a rectangle of grey fabric for A5. Place the grey fabric behind, with right sides together and line up the exposed raw edge, ensuring all seam allowances are covered.
Fold paper back and sew along the line. Fold paper back and check your seam allowance, trimming if necessary.
Turn paper over and press seam flat.
Fold the paper back along the line between A6 and A1/A2/A3 and trim excess fabric to 1/4" from the fold. Cut a rectangle of aqua fabric. Place the aqua fabric behind, with right sides together and line up the exposed raw edge, ensuring all seam allowances are covered.
Fold paper back and sew along the line. Fold paper back and check your seam allowance, trimming if necessary. Turn paper over and press seam flat.
Fold the paper back along the line between A6 and A7 and trim excess fabric to 1/4" from the fold. Cut a rectangle of grey fabric. Place the grey fabric behind, with right sides together and line up the exposed raw edge, ensuring all seam allowances are covered.
Fold the paper back and sew along the line. Fold the paper back and check your seam allowance, trim if necessary.
Turn paper over and press seam flat.
Trim excess fabric and paper along the dotted line, on each side of the block. You have now completed your block which should measure 6 1/2" square when complete.
That's your first paper pieced block complete! You can carefully remove the papers now but if you're making multiple blocks then leave the papers in place to assist in joining. You can remove them all once the blocks are sewn together.
I hope you enjoyed sewing this paper pieced block. I'll be back with Part 2 of this tutorial in a couple of days and this will cover sewing angles plus sewing and joining sections. :)
Happy sewing :)
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