Paper Piecing Tutorial

Create entricate designs with the paper piecing quilting technique.

Paper piecing is a quilting technique that allows a quilter to easily create elaborate designs. The quilter creates a pattern for a block on a paper foundation and sews the fabric directly onto the paper pattern. Each section of the pattern is numbered and the quilter completes each section in order. When the fabric has been sewn, the paper backing is removed and the finished block can be added to your quilt. Paper piecing patterns can be found on websites such as FreeQuiltPatterns.info or TheQuiledSail.com, as well as a variety of quilting books and magazines that can be found in bookstores, hobby shops and fabric stores.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Thin paper with printed design
• Fabric
• Sewing pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron

Instructions

1. Cut out the paper pattern including ¼-inch margin around the pattern block. Print or photocopy enough copies of the pattern to complete all the repeating blocks of the quilt.

2. Cut out the first piece of fabric ¼-inch larger than the No. 1 section on the pattern. The fabric should overlap the pattern by ¼-inch on all sides.

3. Pin the first piece of fabric right side up to the paper pattern, the printed side of the pattern should face down and the fabric design faces up. Hold the paper and the fabric to the light to make sure it is centered in the correct area.

4. Cut the second piece of fabric to fit ¼-inch larger than the No. 2 section of the paper pattern.

5. Lay the No. 2 fabric piece in place on the pattern to make sure you have enough fabric to cover the area. Place the No. 2 fabric on top of the No. 1 fabric, right sides together. Match the ends of the fabric together that will be sewn. Pin together if needed.

6. Turn the fabric and paper assembly upside down and sew the line between the No. 1 and No. 2 sections on the paper pattern.

7. Fold the section No. 2 fabric in place over the paper pattern and press the fabric open with an iron. Hold the piece to the light to ensure the stitching is accurate and the fabric properly follows the pattern.

8. Complete remaining sections in the paper pattern in the same manner.

9. Stitch the block into the quilt. Remove the paper backing before the top is quilted.

Tips & Warnings

• Photocopiers may not create accurate copies. If using a copier to create additional paper patterns, hold the original and the copies together in the light to ensure the copied design is exact.

References

• Quilt Woman: Basic Paper Piecing Tutorial and Practice Block
• Learning to Quilt: Lesson Three - Practice Paper Piecing

Resources

• Free Quilt Patterns: Free Paper Pieced Quilt Patterns
• The Quilted Snail: Paper Piecing Patterns