I really feel your pain and can use some nice tips too. I am very spacially challenged and just haven't been able to really get the hang of pp. I ended up using large pieces then trimming after it is sewn. I think I need to find a good teacher to show me how to do it, this on-line tutor thing isn't working for me at all.

beverly

I can't help vicky I don't PP but you sure got me curious about your challenge wallhanging!
Red

What I do is pin right on the line and fold it back to make sure it fits, before I start stitching (cut the piece 1/2" larger than longest and widest edges).

Ditto idahoqltr -- when in doubt, pin it rather than stitching. I'm just finishing up my first paper pieced quilt, and I learned this the hard way!!

All in all, I think I may have become addicted to paper piecing...and I just got EQ6 so I can design my own pp quilts.

I check EACH TIME, before I sew...if you do that, you'll never be wrong. You can also not cut out your piece before sewing...you can, using the edge of the big piece, place it onto the spot where you want it....check....sew, finger press in place, and then cut off the excess. ( I wouldn't do this with a really large cut of fabric, but so much of my stash are leftovers, some small and some larger...and, I often don't cut these into usable sized pieces first)...if I'm dealing with a LARGE piece of fabric I will often tear a strip of it, plenty wide enough to use to piece, rather than working with the whole big piece every time.
I think foundation piecing is just like anything else, new, in life....you have to do it for a while to be comfortable with it. Once you do, it'll allow you to do VERY precise piecing....much more so than with any other way....so, it's worth your time and effort to get use to it. But, if you will just pin, fold and check with each piece, you'll not ever do it wrong....only takes a few seconds, well worth it, to keep you from sewing that has to then be removed because you didn't check.

I trim ahead on my PP. eg: You have sewed #2 to @1 and trimed, open #2 back and press. Fold back the paper on #3 line, add 1/4" and trim #2 piece. This gives you a straight edge to join your #3 piece to. This also helps me keep my sequence correct....like not sewing 7 before 4...hahaha! Those long pointy pieces can be tricky and I give them lots of material. Doing pin and check saves a lot of grrrrs!

Glad you like your results....means you are mastering PP.
Jean

Ditto on the pinning and folding back to check before sewing. One other thing a friend showed me was to make an extra paper pattern and cut the pieces apart. You can use these as a guide to cutting your fabric pieces in the right shape - just be sure to cut big - like at least half an inch all around. Once you get the hang of it, you might fall in love with pp - like I did!

1) I do what Jena does -- Trim the edge you are going to sew TO before sewing. At first I thought this was illogical, but I've learned it makes it much easier to line the new piece up properly.

2) Remember that although you're sewing it to a piece of paper, you're always going to put fabric RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.

3) Do as Idaho suggests, especially with odd shapes, and pin along line then flip open before sewing. Hold up to light to make sure it covers the lines adequately. It's shocking how big a chunk of fabric you need for tiny pieces when you include seam allowances.

4) Cut the "chunk" out the shape you need, not just a big random chunk of fabric. I found that on "angled" pieces I would miss edges with huge chunks of fabric, but when it was the right basic shape (plus a generous seam allowance) it was much easier.

For layering, you can lay you item on the table before sewing and you should have: The BACK of the piece to be sewn touching the table. The RIGHT side of the already sewn on piece touching the right side of the piece to sew. The back of the paper touching the wrong side of the sewn pieces, the lines on the paper staring you in the face.

Note: you are right, it IS hard to cut chunks out of your stash. This is why we must buy BIG YARDAGE when shopping for stash! (and keep those chunky scraps!)

BTW: Just two years ago I was on here saying -- PaperPiecing? HUH? I don't get it... Now I feel like a little paper piecing maven! So hang in there. Once you have that breakthrough you'll know you always have PP to fall back on for those "really cool blocks you couldn't possibly piece regular."

Vicky,
So much good advice. I think it is Marti that says make a seperate pattern and cut your pieces ahead BUT
remember that this is reverse of your finished piece. I said on another thread I forgot this and had all those pieces that didn't work. I was fortunate and just flipped my pattern.
PP is fun. I just have to get in the right frame of mind.

Sally

Vicky...I just started working on my second ever pp project. After I did my first one, I said, never again! But, I'm giving it a try, and this time, I understood most of what I was doing...except I didn't sew my seams INTO the seam allowance when they were on the seam line...I'm doing that now, and that has helped.

Lots of good advice here. I don't know much to give you advice, but I can give you encouragement!! The first time was incredibly chaotic for me (hate chaos)..but this time, it's making sence and working better. I think your brain just has to adjust to working backward and upside down!!!lol. So hang in there! After a few more times, you'll get the hang of it...really. (one tip from me, I used a longer stitch length..3.0 on my machine. It made tearing out seams easier, and my paper didn't rip hardly at all...and the seams seem secure enough).
Good luck..let us know how it's coming along.

Being stingy with fabric and paper piecing just don't mix. If you try to cut the fabric pieces just right, you are going to come up short quite a bit of the time. I have come to the viewpoint that it's a good trade off for me. I may waste more fabric than when I piece the regular way. But I can get fine, fine points that aren't cut off. And I can do blocks that I would never attempt the conventional way.

If you are doing alot of the same size pieces, make a plastic template, making sure you allow for extra large seam allowances. Then cut strips of fabric the width of the template, put the template on the strips,marking the edges, flip flopping them so you can get the most out of a strip. Using a rotary cutter, cut the pieces apart. You can do 4 or 5 strips at a time this way - just make sure all the strips are facing the right way. You are ready to paper piece. I learned this when doing one of Judy Niemeyer's quilts years ago. Her quilts always take alot of yardage and her method makes the most of every inch of it.

Thanks for all the advice. I work some on my wall hanging yesterday and got three more "items" done (no hints here RED) It takes me a long time but I think I'm getting a little faster. Color choices are taking time too and I find I need to make another run to Joann's to get some browns. Over all the project is turning out fine.

Vicky

A little late, as always, jumping in here, so all I'll add is.... yes, it gets easier. Getting in the habit of pinning on the stitching line first and doing a quick check is, I think, a good habit. But you will soon get the knack of knowing what works.

Can't wait to see what you are working on.
Faye