Paper Piecing - Quilting
Piece by Piece!
Shown here is the "Tumbling Colors" pattern by
Paper Pieces. Try it in our vibrant FRESH PAINT BATIKS and
MOCHA MERINGUE BATIKS. |
Paper piecing is a simple, tried-and-true hand piecing technique
that results in uniform shapes and simplified joining of these
shapes into blocks. The technique is easy to transport and can be
done anywhere, which is probably part of the reason for its current
resurgence. Imagine being able to piece a quilt top by hand during
car, train, or plane trips, or even while waiting in a doctor's
office, or at your child's after-school activity. It's becoming the
method of choice for quilters on the go!
With that in mind, we asked JoAnne Louis of Paper
Pieces for some advice. Paper Pieces is a leading source for
precut shapes, patterns and related notions.
Paper Piecing Tips
- Use good sharp needles. Keep your basting and whipping needles
separate, basting dulls them quickly. Use the size of needle
that fits your hand best.
- Basting is a good time to use up old thread. Choose a color
which contrasts with your fabric. Put knots on the right side of
the fabric for easy removal. Use large stitches since they are
temporary.
- When whipping the pieces together match your thread to the
darker fabric. If your stitches show, check that you are not
sewing too tightly and stretching your fabric, loosen up a
little.
- Paper Piecing is portable. Have one (or more) projects cut out
and ready to go. JoAnne keeps her projects organized so they're
ready to grab and go!
- Cut squares instead of hexagons from your fabric! This works
for all shapes. Lay your paper piece on a cutting mat with a
grid. Just cut to the next bigger ½" on all sides. The
paper piece is the finished size.
- Julie (JoAnne's coworker) offers this final tip: When basting,
don't cut the thread after basting a piece, allow a couple
inches of thread and starting basting the next piece. Chain
piecing by hand! If they start to tangle, just cut them apart.
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