Tuesday, November 4, 2008

ABC Wednesday--A Quilter's ABC--P

P is for Paper Piecing

These pictorial blocks were made by a method called Foundation Paper Piecing. It's kind of like Paint by Numbers. A paper foundation is used with the design traced or printed on it. The fabrics are sewn using the lines as a guide.

With foundation Paper Piecing, you can piece very precisely, even with very tiny or odd shaped pieces.
This balloon flight wall hanging was done with paper piecing too.


Watch as I make a square in a square block using paper piecing. I printed this foundation out using my quilt design software--Electric Quilt. You can see the pin...
...which holds the first two fabrics in place on the back of the printed foundation. You have to be sure they are in the correct position by looking through the paper to make sure you meet the lines correctly. (A thin, easy to see through paper is the best to use.) Piece #1 goes directly over position #1 face up. Each following piece is added face down, in such a way as it will fold back into its position.

And then you sew on the line.
Back on the other side, that stitching line holds the two pieces together.
Each piece is added in sequence. With a simple pattern like this one, the sequence might not be crucial, but something like the hummingbird must be done in order or you will run into problems.
Do you see how I was able, because I was stitching directly on the lines to cross the point of the triangle very precisely?
Because of that, you don't end up accidentally cutting off the points of your triangles.
Now I trim the block along the seam allowance lines.
Once you have removed the paper from the back (another good reason to use a thin paper) the block is
ready to use in a quilt. I made this block four inches square (4 1/2 unfinished--remember quilt math?) but it could have been done just as precisely even smaller. Those who like to do miniatures can use paper piecing to get precision piecing.
So P is also for miniature quilts.
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Links to other ABC posts for the letter P can be found at the ABC Wednesday Round 3 site or see posts collected in the ABC Anthology. Denise started the ABC Wednesday which is now in round three.

27 comments:

Leslie: said...

You should have a showing of all your quilts and their many patterns. You've been blessed with a wonderful talent!

Michele said...

Gosh, that's amazing. You are incredible with quilting! What a skill! Beautiful post.

marLou said...

You make it look so easy but I bet it's not. I always wondered how things are made so this is nice to know!

PERBS said...

A lot of work -- I know I couldn't do it.

PERBS said...

Forgot to add that I really liked the apple one.

photowannabe said...

You must have the patience of Job. Its fascinating how you develop the block and how it all fits together.

Melissa said...

Wow, lots of work to make something so pretty!

earthlingorgeous said...

WOW! You are so talented and yeah you make it looks so easy! I wish I can do those but no no no skill at all! Lovely patterns! I so admire you!

my post is here.

Anonymous said...

Great stuff. Frankly and to be perfectly honest, sincerely - I am out of my depth... :)

DeeJay said...

very clever - I wish I had such Patience (another P)

Anonymous said...

I've never had the patience for quilt-making, but I'm full of admiration for those that do!

Liz Hinds said...

Okay, I got lost soon after the first couple of photos but I do admire your handiwork. And finding a quilting link for each letter fo the alphabet.

Jane Hards Photography said...

You're a very talented woman. I wouldn't have a clue where to start.

Raquel Sabino Pereira said...

THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL LESSON!!!

Miss_Yves said...

A pedagogic post and many pleasant patterns !
Congratulations for your great photos !!
Miss Yves

Rune Eide said...

I see that quilting is not for everyone!

I wonder what your Q will be??

Daryl said...

PERFECT .. even someone as dim as I when it comes to sewing/patterns can follow these instructions ..

:-Daryl

Reader Wil said...

I admire you for making these beautiful quilts. I dislike needle work, though I had sewn quite lot of dresses for me and my daughters. That doesn't mean that I don't like to see needlework of other people.Great post.

becky aka theRAV said...

The pieces are beautiful but then I love patchwork quilts. That was one I did not think of. Check out my pumpins...

Bear Naked said...

That is truly amazing.
You are very talented.

Bear((( )))

kml said...

How intricate that process is. I really enjoyed your post and all the photos that demonstrated it perfectly!

MumbaiiteAnu said...

Wow, so impressive. I always wanted to learn quilt making. The way you have showed with paper piecing looks very interesting and accurate.
Great series of photos.

Unknown said...

So impressive and VERY beautiful! I have such fond memories of quilts as my Grammy used to quilt with her ladies church group. I miss her so much!

Mary said...

These are great! I need you for a teacher :-) I have some wonderful books for paper piecing birds but I have a lot of trouble when I try to paper piece getting the pieces the right size and turned right. I can do something very straight like a pineapple block, but get more confused with more intricate things. I don't think well, backwards and upside down, etc.

Sandi McBride said...

I can't wait to share this with my sister Nicole...the quilter in the family!
Sandi

Aisha said...

It's amazing how you can create something out of a paper. Beautiful design!

mrsnesbitt said...

Patience of a saint!
Wonderful honeybunch!