How to Paper Piece a Quilt Block

Paper piecing a quilt block creates very crisp corners and sharper points. Paper piecing is an easy quilt block, even for beginning sewers. Every pattern is worked the same way, follow the numbers. Start by pinning the piece to the paper, check the alignment, sew, trim and press.

Each quilt block is made with four sections that are the same then sewn together. For this block, a clear plastic template was created and placed over the flower then cut.

To paper piece, copy the pattern onto computer printer paper. Trim the edges to a minimum of ¼ inch past the outside boarder. Four pieces of paper are needed for one square.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper pieced pattern
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Fabric
• Computer paper
• Cutting board
• Small ruler
• Iron
• Fabric cutter

1. 
   Rectangles

   Make some rectangles.
   The pattern will tell you how many, the sizes and colors for each rectangle. Use your computers word processer to create some rectangles according to the sizes needed. Label them with the size, color and piece number. Cut fabric according to these rectangles.

2. 
   Layout of work area

   Layout of work area.
   Lay out the fabric pieces by numbers. Add a post it note with the number written on it for easy viewing. The cutting board should be on the left side with the iron and pad on top. Your sewing machine should be on the right.

3. 

   Pin piece number 1.
   Pin piece number one onto the back side of the paper with the right side facing out. Pins are on the front side.

4. 
   Piece one and two

   Pin piece number two on top of piece number one, right sides facing each other.

5. 
   Light showing through paper

   Check the alignment before sewing.
   Hold the pinned piece up to the light, fold back the new pinned piece to be sure it covers the area on the pattern

6. 
   Sew on the line

   Sew on the line number. Backstitch to secure. Fold paper back and press seam open.

7. 
   Trim excess fabric

   Use a small plastic ruler to trim fabric down to ¼ inch.

8. 
   Iron seam

   Press fabric.
   Open fabric and press with iron.

9. 
   Add piece number 3

   Pin piece number 3.
   Add piece number 3, pin, check alignment, sew, trim and press.

10. 
    Finished piece before triming

    Finished sewn piece.
    Continue the working the pattern following the numerical sequence. When all pieces are sewn together, the edges will need to be trimmed.

11. 
    Final piece

    Final trimmed piece.
    Sew four squares together to create the completed block. Remove the paper from the back.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, follow the fabric suggestions.
• Be sure to purchase enough fabric to complete you project before starting.
• Wash fabric before cutting.
• Cut enough fabric to create one quilt square at a time.

[midcenturymaven]

on 7/18/2009 Nice instructions on paper piecing. Lovely picture too!

[godfather25]

on 6/24/2009 Great tips on quilting.

[delawaregeek]

on 6/24/2009 Good tips on quilting and impressive use of pictures. This is how photos should be included in an article. Nice job! 5 stars.

[makaksa]

on 6/19/2009 Great quilting tips.

[wisemcternan]

on 6/15/2009 Love the pictures, they make the concept really easy to follow. Thanks