Paper Piecing question

Hi all
Having my first go at paper piecing. So far, so good
The printed paper has the 1/4 seam allowance line (trimming line) included
and for the most part my pieces have extended to or passed the cutting line.
In my first 6 or 7 blocks, some of the pieces don't quite extend to the seam
allowance line so I'll have a few spots where the seam allowance will be
under the 1/4. Also, in cutting out my pieces I have given no thought to
bias, mosting due to fabric pattern and also to get the best possible milage
out of the material and not wanting any waste.

A couple of questions.
Before I take off the paper, should I sew around each block just outside the
finished size area? Wouldn't that reduce the stretching?
Could I / Can I / Should I sew the blocks together..........then remove the
paper? Any pros or cons in doing it this way?

Just thinking ahead.and wanting things to work out squarely and without much
stretching

Ann
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrs_ducky

That's a very good thought you have had, Ann. I never had such a
thought and I once got a very un-straight line once because of bias
edges.
I've never tried 'stay-stitching' round the block; that might solve your
problems - great idea. You could also spray them with starch and press
them before removing the paper. Starching is often used to help
stabilise bias edges.
How large are these blocks (I've forgotten since your last post and
pictures, sorry)?
You certainly can sew them together with the paper on; but I would
recommend only doing that in 'one direction'. I mean, if you are sewing
them into rows, that's fine with the paper on; but sewing those
'papered' rows together would not be easy and it would make the paper
removal very awkward. There isn't any sashing, if I recall correctly,
so you do need to keep them square.
Let us know how you get on.
I would find it hard, now, do make 'my' kind of quilts without FPP. I
love it.
..
In message yugEe.166811$on1.122577@clgrps13, Ann
writes
Hi all
Having my first go at paper piecing. So far, so good
The printed paper has the 1/4 seam allowance line (trimming line) included
and for the most part my pieces have extended to or passed the cutting line.
In my first 6 or 7 blocks, some of the pieces don't quite extend to the seam
allowance line so I'll have a few spots where the seam allowance will be
under the 1/4. Also, in cutting out my pieces I have given no thought to
bias, mosting due to fabric pattern and also to get the best possible milage
out of the material and not wanting any waste.

A couple of questions.
Before I take off the paper, should I sew around each block just outside the
finished size area? Wouldn't that reduce the stretching?
Could I / Can I / Should I sew the blocks together..........then remove the
paper? Any pros or cons in doing it this way?

Just thinking ahead.and wanting things to work out squarely and without much
stretching

Ann
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrs_ducky



--
Best Regards
pat on the hill

Ann wrote:
Hi all
Having my first go at paper piecing. So far, so good
The printed paper has the 1/4 seam allowance line (trimming line) included
and for the most part my pieces have extended to or passed the cutting line.
In my first 6 or 7 blocks, some of the pieces don't quite extend to the seam
allowance line so I'll have a few spots where the seam allowance will be
under the 1/4. Also, in cutting out my pieces I have given no thought to
bias, mosting due to fabric pattern and also to get the best possible milage
out of the material and not wanting any waste.

A couple of questions.
Before I take off the paper, should I sew around each block just outside the
finished size area? Wouldn't that reduce the stretching?
Could I / Can I / Should I sew the blocks together..........then remove the
paper? Any pros or cons in doing it this way?

Just thinking ahead.and wanting things to work out squarely and without much
stretching

Ann
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrs_ducky

The stitching in the seam allowance should work fine, like stay stitching
in garment sewing. Not sure on leaving the paper there to stitch the
blocks together, my only experience in stitching with paper is EPP - a
completely different animal altogether.

--
Melinda
http://cust.idl.com.au/athol

"melinda" wrote in message news:1122104854.851790@idlweb...
Ann wrote:
Hi all
Having my first go at paper piecing. So far, so good
The printed paper has the 1/4 seam allowance line (trimming line)
included
and for the most part my pieces have extended to or passed the cutting
line.
In my first 6 or 7 blocks, some of the pieces don't quite extend to the
seam
allowance line so I'll have a few spots where the seam allowance will be
under the 1/4. Also, in cutting out my pieces I have given no thought to
bias, mosting due to fabric pattern and also to get the best possible
milage
out of the material and not wanting any waste.

A couple of questions.
Before I take off the paper, should I sew around each block just outside
the
finished size area? Wouldn't that reduce the stretching?
Could I / Can I / Should I sew the blocks together..........then remove
the
paper? Any pros or cons in doing it this way?

Just thinking ahead.and wanting things to work out squarely and without
much
stretching

Ann
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrs_ducky

The stitching in the seam allowance should work fine, like stay stitching
in garment sewing. Not sure on leaving the paper there to stitch the
blocks together, my only experience in stitching with paper is EPP - a
completely different animal altogether.

--
Melinda
http://cust.idl.com.au/athol

If you do not have the material all the way to the edge of the quarter inch
stitching line going around the outside of the square, then you need the
line to match up with a partner in order to stitch the squares together. I
always match up the lines around the edges, stitch them together and then
remove the paper.

alice

A slightly smaller seam allowance is usually not a problem. You can always
add another bit of fabric if it's really too scanty -just sew, flip and turn
like any other paper piecing. Unless it's stripes or some really distinct
print, it will blend in.

I usually do sew blocks together with the paper on. Since I usually use PP
for more complicated work that has to be 100% accurate, and such blocks
often form secondary patterns together, this makes it easier to join them.
You can tear off paper from the finished seams before crossing with another
row of blocks. And maybe you should anyway: the paper takes up space that
will make it harder to press the seams accurately.
Roberta in D

"Ann" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:yugEe.166811$on1.122577@clgrps13...
Hi all
Having my first go at paper piecing. So far, so good
The printed paper has the 1/4 seam allowance line (trimming line) included
and for the most part my pieces have extended to or passed the cutting
line. In my first 6 or 7 blocks, some of the pieces don't quite extend to
the seam allowance line so I'll have a few spots where the seam allowance
will be under the 1/4. Also, in cutting out my pieces I have given no
thought to bias, mosting due to fabric pattern and also to get the best
possible milage out of the material and not wanting any waste.

A couple of questions.
Before I take off the paper, should I sew around each block just outside
the finished size area? Wouldn't that reduce the stretching?
Could I / Can I / Should I sew the blocks together..........then remove
the paper? Any pros or cons in doing it this way?

Just thinking ahead.and wanting things to work out squarely and without
much stretching

Ann
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrs_ducky

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. You have been very helpful.

I never thought of using starch.
Or adding another piece of material to extend beyond the cutting line. I
have a few that need that little extra.so will have to go back and add.

I'm getting the hang of this and it really is quite fun. And those nice
crisp points !!!! LOL At the beginning it was taking me an hour per
block. Don to 20 minutes now.

I"m getting close to being at the half way mark so I'll post a picture when
I get there.

Ann
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrs_ducky


"IMS" wrote in message
news On Sat, 23 Jul 2005 00:49:34 GMT, "Ann" wrote:

Hi all
Having my first go at paper piecing. So far, so good
The printed paper has the 1/4 seam allowance line (trimming line) included
and for the most part my pieces have extended to or passed the cutting
line.
In my first 6 or 7 blocks, some of the pieces don't quite extend to the
seam
allowance line so I'll have a few spots where the seam allowance will be
under the 1/4. Also, in cutting out my pieces I have given no thought to
bias, mosting due to fabric pattern and also to get the best possible
milage
out of the material and not wanting any waste.

A couple of questions.
Before I take off the paper, should I sew around each block just outside
the
finished size area? Wouldn't that reduce the stretching?
Could I / Can I / Should I sew the blocks together..........then remove
the
paper? Any pros or cons in doing it this way?

Just thinking ahead.and wanting things to work out squarely and without
much
stretching

Ann
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrs_ducky


Hi Ann!

I LOVE paper piecing! Glad you are giving it a go.

If the seam allowance is a little short, I usually mark the seam lightly
with a fabric pen or pencil so I won't forget when it's time to put the
blocks to together.

I NEVER worry about bias when paper piecing. That's one of the perks
IMHO.

I take off the paper. WHen I first started I used to leave it on and
sew the blocks together but then taking the two layers of paper off puts
stress on the blocks because you're pulling against two layers of paper
instead of one. And it stretches the fabric.

I never sew around the blocks, just iron them (sometimes use spray
starch) to keep them good and sturdy.

-Irene


--------------
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
--Mae West
--------------

I have sewn paper pieced blocks together without removing the paper. I do,
however, removed the paper in what will be seam allowance.

I'll try to explain. After squaring up the block on the dotted line (1/4
inch seam) I take the ruler and line it up just to the inside of the
stitching line. I then take my seam ripper and run it down the ruler. The
sharp edge tears the paper but not the fabric. This takes off the paper in a
slightly more than 1/4 inch from the edge of the block and your seam will be
sewn with just fabric not paper.

Clear as mud?

Tricia
http://photos.yahoo.com/momiixii


"Ann" wrote in message
news:yugEe.166811$on1.122577@clgrps13...
Hi all
Having my first go at paper piecing. So far, so good
The printed paper has the 1/4 seam allowance line (trimming line) included
and for the most part my pieces have extended to or passed the cutting
line.
In my first 6 or 7 blocks, some of the pieces don't quite extend to the
seam
allowance line so I'll have a few spots where the seam allowance will be
under the 1/4. Also, in cutting out my pieces I have given no thought to
bias, mosting due to fabric pattern and also to get the best possible
milage
out of the material and not wanting any waste.

A couple of questions.
Before I take off the paper, should I sew around each block just outside
the
finished size area? Wouldn't that reduce the stretching?
Could I / Can I / Should I sew the blocks together..........then remove
the
paper? Any pros or cons in doing it this way?

Just thinking ahead.and wanting things to work out squarely and without
much
stretching

Ann
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrs_ducky