bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531 
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Post by bethany102399 on Oct 11, 2023 21:41:48 GMT
I'm attempting to sew a foundation paper pieced pattern.
The paper pieces are a bit of a jumble, so like piece 9 and piece 120 are on the same 11 x 17 page. meant to be cut into 2 pieces. I'm tempted to pick up the first page, sew what's on there- working the steps right up to removing the paper, so when I'm ready for final assembly then I'd sit down and put the finished pieces in order and sewing them the way the pattern indicates.
Any reason to not do this? Some of the pieces are super tiny (made with even tinier pices) and I'm concerned about loosing them.
I hope this makes sense.
10/12 update with new question
As usual I've jumped into this with both feet thinking I can do it and realize too late i'm in over my head. I get the sewing part, that I can do. I've watched tutorials, my seams look good. The issue is the fabric is coming out reversed from what it should be. I went over the tutorial on the sheet, the tutorial on the youtube and I'm doing it right. No where does it say reverse the image so it comes out properly - WTH?
Do I need to reverse the paper so the fabric comes out the right way? or am I screwing something up along the way (totally possible)
10/16 update at the bottom with some lessons learned.
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Post by lucyg on Oct 12, 2023 0:32:27 GMT
Get some kind of tub or bin to corral the tiny pieces. That’s my best piece of advice.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 12, 2023 1:45:56 GMT
Can you link the pattern please?
Personally I would do the pieces in numerical order. My suggestion is to read the pattern through thoroughly, then sew each block in order. If you start jumping around the chances of making mistakes with fabric choices increases. How many pieces in each block?
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 12, 2023 1:54:08 GMT
Can you link the pattern please? Personally I would do the pieces in numerical order. My suggestion is to read the pattern through thoroughly, then sew each block in order. If you start jumping around the chances of making mistakes with fabric choices increases. How many pieces in each block? I agree. It could be fine or it could go completely wrong. For the tiny pieces, you may have some luck with a stitch-as-you-go approach of paper piecing for those pieces that surround the tiny pieces. You can then use larger pieces, sew them, and then trim them down. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Oct 12, 2023 3:54:56 GMT
Is this the kind where you sew the fabric right to the paper and then remove the paper at the end?
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531
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Post by bethany102399 on Oct 12, 2023 3:57:31 GMT
Is this the kind where you sew the fabric right to the paper and then remove the paper at the end? kind of. each block has anywhere from 1-8 pieces that go together in it. You sew each piece through the paper, then remove the paper and connect the blocks. Here's the pattern:  So This is my conundrum. Each "block" is numbered 1-123. The pattern has you putting together the blocks individually, then connecting them in panels - so panel one is blocks 1-24, panel 2 is 25-53 etc. I'm thinking if I did the blocks out of order, but left the paper on, once completed I could order them and assemble the panels as indicated. Or I could just suck it up and go in order, connecting 1-2 and so on. I've never done a paper piece quilt before so I'm sort of fumbling through it. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 12, 2023 4:07:46 GMT
Cute pattern! I would make each block as you go, especially since it’s the first FPP quilt you have made. Once you get further into the quilt it will make more sense to you.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531
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Post by bethany102399 on Oct 12, 2023 4:11:27 GMT
Thank you, I'm reminded of when I was first quilting and making a Jaybird pattern, thinking I knew more than the very talented quilt designer I went off the pattern and promptly screwed it up. Much seam ripping later, I did it the way she told me to in the first place.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Oct 12, 2023 4:12:42 GMT
Cute quilt! I too would sew the blocks in order. I’d make a huge mess of that otherwise.
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 12, 2023 4:56:14 GMT
That is adorable! The tiny pieces aren’t a big deal for a paper piecing. You can use a larger piece and then cut it down after the seam ins sewn. It will all make sense after a few seams. It’s a great technique for those tiny pieces.
I the pieces aren’t already marked with the colors, I’d do that before sewing. I’d consider just starting with one of the easier blocks. Even better, make a copy of the blocks and then practice on it. It’s easy, but sometimes you need to get it in your head the direction that the fabric will flip. My tip—avoid strips or directional fabric. For a quilt like that, you don’t worry as much about the direction of the grain.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,769
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Oct 12, 2023 7:50:25 GMT
Such a cute pattern. I love fpp, you can achieve great results. I would tackle it panel by panel. So panel one, blocks 1- 24, I would start with the blocks with only two pieces, then the three piece blocks etc working up to the more detailed pieces. I'd only cut out the block as I intended to make it, marking the colour on each piece. Put the pieces in a container, because I swear those bits of paper can move of their own accord. Have the colour/numbering info close to hand. I had one pattern where white was indicated by the letter B, and as black was also a colour in the pattern, it was easy to get confused. I'd leave the paper on until you are ready to join the blocks If you don't already have a quarter inch ruler, I'd recommend one, they come in six and twelve inch sizes. If you have access to a light box, it can be useful too. Anyone who likes fpp might like this website, an Aussie designer who specialises in fpp. quietplaydesigns.com/ |
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
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Post by CeeScraps on Oct 12, 2023 13:36:47 GMT
I love this pattern. If you're worried about color placement write the colors on the paper you are sewing on.
Do the blocks in numbered order. DO NOT remove the paper from the backs until after you have sewn together the pieces together.
When sewing the pieces together baste the stitches so you can flip over the fabric and see if it aligns up correctly. Once aligned stitch it with a shorter stitch to hold it together.
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 12, 2023 15:31:04 GMT
Addressing some of the comments above—when I paper piece, I don’t cut out the shapes ahead of time. Instead, I’ll cut strips from my fabric of a few widths—2”, 4”, and then lay the strips over the pattern, sew, and flip it into place. Then trim the seam. I would DEFINITELY hesitate to baste and then sew, as the seam would get very bulky and pulling out the basting for hundreds of seams would be very time consuming. I also don’t get hung up on a perfect 1/4” seam. I sew the seam, flip the fabric to make sure that it covers the entire piece, then trim the seam. It helps if the “blocks” are printed on thinner paper when it’s time to remove them. Otherwise, I’ll shorten my stitch which perforates the paper more for easier removal. This isn’t English paper piecing—it’s foundation piecing. You won’t have bits of paper to sew or lose because the entire “block” is the paper. You will be amazed at how crisp and clean your corners and points are! A clean pizza box is a good way to keep track of all the blocks—both pre and post sewing. I have a tool like this wooden one to press the seams down. This is another popular style. You can also use a bone folder. Or your thumb nail! |
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Post by roundtwo on Oct 12, 2023 16:47:30 GMT
I have nothing to add with regards to technique - I just want to say that you are very brave to do this as your first foray into paper piecing. It is a gorgeous pattern and I am sure you will fumble through, as you said, just fine with all the advice offered here. I look forward to seeing it when it is finished!!!
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 12, 2023 18:02:06 GMT
I would DEFINITELY hesitate to baste and then sew, as the seam would get very bulky and pulling out the basting for hundreds of seams would be very time consuming. I also don’t get hung up on a perfect 1/4” seam. I sew the seam, flip the fabric to make sure that it covers the entire piece, then trim the seam. A light box will help with the placement of fabric on each section. You can use a glue stick to hold the fabric in place and prevent shifting. I just run it along the seam area of the paper pattern, stick on the fabric and stitch. Remember that you will sew with the paper up. bethany102399 - Have you ever done any FPP blocks? Just wondering what your skill level is with the technique. If you have not done anything, then it's definitely worth doing a few practice blocks to get the hang of it before you cut into the good fabric! Also watch some YouTube videos. I took a class at Quilt Festival several years ago with Gail Garber. She has some videos. Perhaps the others here can recommend other instructors with good videos as well. |
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Post by originalvanillabean on Oct 12, 2023 22:28:20 GMT
Cute! As other folks have said -sew in order and do NOT take the paper off until the very end. Please show us your finished product. I  FPP and anything made with it! |
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Post by originalvanillabean on Oct 12, 2023 22:29:37 GMT
Anyone who likes fpp might like this website, an Aussie designer who specialises in fpp. quietplaydesigns.com/Love her patterns, I'm sure I have at least a couple dozen of them! |
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531
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Post by bethany102399 on Oct 13, 2023 2:30:32 GMT
update with a question in the OP, it's coming out reversed. What am I doing wrong?
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 13, 2023 3:54:04 GMT
It’s hard to say without seeing what you mean. Is the reverse of the fabric showing or is the polar bear flipped?
If the wrong side of the fabric showing, flip the fabric over. But I think that you mean that you are getting a mirror image of the bear. If you’re ok with that, keep going. Oh well! Probably the problem is that you need to sew on the other side of the paper, but if you do the whole quilt the same way, it should be fine.
Don’t feel bad about jumping in. It’s just paper and a little fabric!
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531
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Post by bethany102399 on Oct 13, 2023 13:05:22 GMT
But I think that you mean that you are getting a mirror image of the bear. That's exactly what I mean. I went back and re-read the pattern copy instructions to make sure I wasn't supposed to print them reversed, and of course the last line says the pattern pieces are mirrored, so the leg piece (panel 1) that appears on the left hand side of the page/quilt is actually the one that appears on the right hand side of the page/quilt even though the diagram shows it being left. With no other explanation or warning on the pattern that this is a mirror image. so frustrating. I literally put the pages on my lightboard and was drawing on the back of them when I looked at the completed image and figured it out. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 13, 2023 14:06:38 GMT
I literally put the pages on my lightboard and was drawing on the back of them when I looked at the completed image and figured it out. I'm glad you figured it out. It sounds like you purchased a paper pattern and have to trace out the blocks. Are you using freezer paper or computer paper? I learned the freezer paper technique initially but quickly switched to .pdf patterns. In the future, consider using a .pdf pattern, where you print out the blocks on FPP paper. It's a time saver for sure! I'd also like to say I am so impressed that you have just jumped into this with both feet! So many experienced quilters I know won't even consider FPP. I'm more of a wade into the deep end very, very slowly type. I can't wait to see your finished project! |
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Post by Linda on Oct 13, 2023 14:12:54 GMT
I'll be watching your journey with this and hope you share as you go along. I have no answers for your questions as I'm not even a quilter but there is a FPP pattern I've been eyeing and wondering if I could manage just a single square.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,769
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Oct 13, 2023 14:28:32 GMT
I'll be watching your journey with this and hope you share as you go along. I have no answers for your questions as I'm not even a quilter but there is a FPP pattern I've been eyeing and wondering if I could manage just a single square. When I was first learning about FPP, this video was suggested to me. I found it very helpful. Hopefully you will too. There really is no substitute though for just getting stuck in and if it goes wrong the seam ripper exists! m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv2gKMx9CCM&pp=ygUYZm91bmRhdGlvbiBwYXBlciBwaWVjaW5n |
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Post by Linda on Oct 13, 2023 14:33:22 GMT
Thank you wellway -I'll give it a watch |
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531
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Post by bethany102399 on Oct 13, 2023 15:10:32 GMT
I have no answers for your questions as I'm not even a quilter but there is a FPP pattern I've been eyeing and wondering if I could manage just a single square. I think my biggest issue is this mirroring thing. If you know how to sew it's not that hard to actually DO it, but as this is so specific to which parts go where, I'm turned around completely with the mirror thing. What I'm doing is basically building the left, then the right at the same time so I know which one goes where. |
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531
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Post by bethany102399 on Oct 13, 2023 15:12:27 GMT
So many experienced quilters I know won't even consider FPP. My whole thing is I don't want to fall down another rabbit hole. I LOVE the look of collage piecing, but I know if I try it I'll go down the rabbit hole and it's like a whole new craft. I have so much I'm into now I don't want to add to it. If DS wasn't nuts about polar bears there's no way I'd be doing this. Inside of leg one (which is actually leg 2) is complete. |
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Post by Linda on Oct 13, 2023 15:26:07 GMT
If DS wasn't nuts about polar bears there's no way I'd be doing this funny - the block I'm looking at is a manatee because my DS is nuts about manatees |
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 13, 2023 17:17:49 GMT
If DS wasn't nuts about polar bears there's no way I'd be doing this funny - the block I'm looking at is a manatee because my DS is nuts about manatees And the large space themed PP quilt that I did was for DS! |
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 13, 2023 17:21:43 GMT
I literally put the pages on my lightboard and was drawing on the back of them when I looked at the completed image and figured it out. I'm glad you figured it out. It sounds like you purchased a paper pattern and have to trace out the blocks. Are you using freezer paper or computer paper? I learned the freezer paper technique initially but quickly switched to .pdf patterns. In the future, consider using a .pdf pattern, where you print out the blocks on FPP paper. It's a time saver for sure! I'd also like to say I am so impressed that you have just jumped into this with both feet! So many experienced quilters I know won't even consider FPP. I'm more of a wade into the deep end very, very slowly type. I can't wait to see your finished project! IMO, PP is great for beginners because they are very few seams/points to match up. It’s mostly done by sewing on the lines, so points are crisp and perfect. Carol Doak was the popular artist when I was learning the method. I know she has YouTube videos out. |
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tincin
Drama Llama
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Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Oct 14, 2023 0:20:10 GMT
I have no answers for your questions as I'm not even a quilter but there is a FPP pattern I've been eyeing and wondering if I could manage just a single square. I think my biggest issue is this mirroring thing. If you know how to sew it's not that hard to actually DO it, but as this is so specific to which parts go where, I'm turned around completely with the mirror thing. What I'm doing is basically building the left, then the right at the same time so I know which one goes where. If your pieces are turning out backward you may be sewing on the wrong side of the paper. You’re supposed to put the fabric on the opposite side of the drawing. That’s my only suggestion. |
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