Paper Piece Quilting

Paper piece quilting is a popular choice for beginners and experienced quilters alike. Not sure how to paper piece? Keep reading!

Try paper piece quilting!

You’ll make this pattern using a sewing machine with a regular or open-toe foot. You’ll also need scissors, fabric scraps, thread, a glue stick, and a seam ripper.

1. First, you’ll need to cut a sample pattern. Keep a 1/4” seam allowance as you cut. In fact, it’s better to cut the pieces a little larger that you need to allow for mistakes. You’ll need to cut a 2” or larger lighter colored square for the center.
2. You’ll need to divide your squares into pieces. For pieces #1 through 4, use four fabric scraps. Each of these should be 1 1/2” wide and at least 2” long. Make these a different color from the center.
3. For pieces 5 through 8, use a strip of fabric different from center and different from pieces 1 through 4. This fabric needs to be 2" wide and 3" long.
4. On the plain side of the paper pattern, add some glue to the center of the paper. Hold the paper up to the light with the printed side towards you. Then, place the light fabric square over the center, so that the edges are at least a 1/4” over the line of the center square on the four sides. Firmly press the backside of the fabric against the glue. The right side of the fabric should now be showing on the backside of the pattern. Take piece #1 and position the right side against the right side of the fabric square at least 1/4” over the sewing line. Now, the two fabrics are ready to be sewn.
5. Place the pattern under the pressure foot with the printed side up. The fabric should not showing, and it shouldn’t move. You’ll need to adjust the stitch length on your machine to 18-20 stitches per inch to avoid splits in stitching. Choose your threads to match the fabrics or pick a middle color if you are using a range of fabrics from dark to light.
6. To seal the stitch, begin sewing before the line for piece #1. You should sew along the line by holding your top thread to prevent it from being pulled under. Extend the sewing beyond the stitching line, sewing a few stitches beyond the line. Once you’re finished, you should take out the piece and cut the threads.
7. Align piece 2 on the opposite the first piece. Follow the same size and directions. Once you’ve done this, you can put the pattern under the pressure foot and sew the second stitch line, again starting and stopping a few stitches before and after the line.
8. Take out the pattern and cut threads and also extra fabric under pieces 1 and 2, still leaving 1/4” seam. Gently iron for a few seconds along the seam fold on the front of the fabric for the first two pieces. Now, sew on pieces 3 and 4 following the same procedures. These four pieces will create the center paper piece quilting square.
9. Repeat the steps for piece 5, and trim 1/4 inch. Press the back of fabric 5. Add piece 6, trim and iron back.
10. Once you’ve added pieces 7 and 8 and trimmed, you can remove all of the paper pieces. You’re ready to piece together a quilt with other quilting pieces made in the same manner.

For other paper piece quilting patterns, sites, and ideas, check out the following:

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