How To Paper Piece: A Guide and a Giveaway

Michele of the Quilting Gallery put together a fantastic and comprehensive Tutorial on How to Paper Piece, for Beginner’s. She asked if I would review it on my blog and then share it with you all – yup that means a giveaway!

But first!  I’ll share with you my journey of paper piecing.  I first paper pieced for a mini project at a Quilt’s By Barb Quilt Retreat.  We did four snail’s trail type block’s and made them into a pot holder.  Much to my mother-in-law’s surprised – I really enjoyed it! 

Even though I enjoyed my first dip into the paper piecing world I really didn’t attempt it again until the New York Beauty Quilt Along.  The triangular pieces in the arch are all paper pieced.  Again – I enjoyed that portion of the block…curved piecing…not so much. 

I then did a paper pieced block here and there when it was called for but nothing too serious…that is until the Fairy Tale Block of the Month came to be.

While I enjoy paper piecing, I have decided that the block has to be super cool in order for me to do it anymore.  The block has to be worth it.  Paper piecing is a very accurate way that you can sew together intricate designs without resorting to applique or shoddy block piecing.  BUT it is tedious.  You can only really chain piece if you are a super organized person and aren’t too worried about having to rip when you mix things up a bit.  I also recommend setting up your work area so you can sew, cut and iron all fro the same chair.  Of course – I don’t do that…I use my pressing and cutting movement as part of my ‘cardio’ for the day. 

Well – the fairy tale blocks were definitely worth it.  So keep in mind that before I reviewed Michele’s booklet I had had quite a bit of paper piecing experience. I was very impressed with Michele’s tutorial.  It covered everything!

• introduction/history of paper piecing

• recommended tools for both paper piecing and miniature paper piecing

• preparing to paper piece

• paper piecing technique

To top off all the clearly written information and instruction, Michele includes six 6” practice blocks.  It is strongly suggested to stitch the blocks in order as the skills and techniques from one block will be used in the next block(s).  These six blocks and the order in which they are presented will help make you a confident paper piecer in no time at all by building and reinforcing your skills the entire way through. Of course – since I was reviewing the tutorial I had to make the blocks myself!

I decided to go with my ‘low volume’ fabric scheme so I can mix them in with the blocks I’m making for the Aurifil BOM.  Speaking of which…the June block just came out! 

1. January Aurifil BOM, 2. February Aurifil 2014 BOM Block, 3. March Aurifl BOM, 4. April Aurifil BOM, 5. May Aurifil BOM

Can you tell ‘low volume’ is very outside my box!!!?  Oh well – this is good for me and I’m sticking with it! So with all that – I highly recommend this paper piecing tutorial for beginner and ‘some experience’ paper piecers.  She really lays things out clearly and in a highly comprehensible way.  I even learned a few tricks from Michele’s paper piecing tutorial that will definitely make my paper piecing adventures easier (and I got to make six cute blocks!). 

You can purchase your very own copy for just $10 by going HERE.  Save 25% by entering kimapple’ in the coupon box and press “update cart” (code is good until midnight Friday, June 6th Sunday, June 8th – don’t wait!)

Oh – right – I mentioned a giveaway above.  Let’s not forget about that!  Michele of the Quilting Gallery has generously allowed to me to give away one TWO pdf copies of her Paper Piecing Booklet Tutorial to one TWO of my fabulous readers!.  If you purchase the tutorial first, you’ll receive a full refund if/when you win!

I’m completely snagging Michele’s question from her giveaway earlier this year since it really is the perfect question for this type of thing.

What was your first paper piecing experience like? If you haven’t tried it yet, why not? Share a link to a photo, if you like, it’s optional.

And that’s it!  Simply answer the question below (be sure you leave an email if you’re a no-reply blogger – when in doubt – leave your email.

Giveaway EXTENDED!  Yup – you get two extra days to enter to win this great Booklet Tutorial!

Giveaway will close on Sunday, June 8th at 5pm CST.  Winner will be announced on Monday, June 9th.