Jayne,
There are so many ways to quilt if paper piecing isn't your thing then do it some other way.
If it ain't fun then what's the point?

Vicky

Fons and Porter had a show on paper piecing. I think they always cut the pieces about a half inch larger than what is needed. They make it look easy. The only times I have tried, I fail to get the pieces at the correct angle. Then after sewing it is rip out and try again. I am not good at it either. I need to keep trying I guess.

I like to PP but I agree you have to think differently especially for the correct angle. Most things I do are small but I have done a few larger things. Especially on larger projects I do find cutting my pieces before I begin is helpful. I just cut a pattern from one of my backgrounds adding a generous 3/8" to 1/2" to all sides. If I mark the center it is helpful especially if there is an angle.

I agree with Vicky, that this is supposed to be fun; so do what you like. I have to get in the right frame of mind and the more I PP the easier it is. I have to admit if I don't do it for a while, I have to rethink the process.

Jayne, I hear your frustration and understand it.

Sally

A few weeks ago I probably wouldn't have bothered reading this post as I had never done PP. However, a good friend who is a wonderful quilter had been urging me to try it. So we spent a day together last week doing PP. The first thing I realized is that you have to have a whole different mindset and forget about the usual quilting "rules". I think having someone take me through the steps made a huge difference, rather that following directions in a book or watching TV. Getting the pieces cut the right size was a challenge. I guess it's a common problem. What I'm working on is a little hanging and as I'm doing the 4th and final block I'm thinking that now it's making sense. I'm enjoying it, but I don't think I would ever do a whole quilt. What I really would like to do is a Mariner's Compass hanging.
So Jayne,see if you can find someone to walk you through a few blocks. Like Sally says , the more you do, the easier it gets, but isn't that true of most things. Good luck and do give it another try, if possible.
Carolyn

I made two paper pieced quilts for my nieces years back and I can see that it has its place--Mariner's Compass is a good example--but it's not my favorite way to piece, either. To me it's like turning the heel on a sock, I can't really analyze the process and make sense of it, but if I do it right, I get the result I want. One tip I learned from a friend is to use the thinnest paper possible to print out the patterns so that it doesn't add bulk to the seam. When you rip out heavy paper, the seams will tend to open up when you press them later because the paper's been removed from the seam. She also said that you should always match your thread color to the fabric just in case the seams do open later.

All above posts are very good advice on paper piecing.

Carol Doak has a new book out on Mariner's Compass.

http://www.caroldoak.com/

Enjoy!
Gwen

Here is a link that might be useful: Carol Doak free patterns

I love some of the blocks you can do with PP. However, the one block I did I felt like I had to think backwards!! Man oh man~~I have a hard enough time thinking forwards most days. I think it is like learning anything new in that it takes practice. Sometimes the frustration is just so great though it seems impossible.

Liz

Jayne,
This is the lap quilt I paper pieced. In the beginning I had a frustrating problem cutting the pieces large enough so I cut apart the pattern and cut about 4 pieces at a time using the template. I did have to trim in the beginning, but after making a few you can judge the seams much better.
I would not make a full size quilt with PP but I love the precise points that I find extremly difficult to make using other techniques.

I just started pp. I tried it previously and encountered similar problems. This time I followed these instructions.

http://www.patchworks.com/paperpiecing.htmwed

and they were very helpful.

The wallhanging I made for the creative challenge was almost all paper pieced and I made it for the challenge because it was something I really wanted to try. It took me a long time but I really liked the way it turned out.

I also made these little teapots and they are a lot of fun.

Vicky

I agree with Vicki, if you don't enjoy it, you should not feel obligated to do it! There are so many ways/things to make that don't involve it.

With that said, I love PP, not so much that the process is "more fun" -- it IS slower -- but the results are so rewarding. I do rip my share of seams and get angles very confused sometimes -- I have found that cutting the pieces pretty close to he needed size with somewhere between a 1/4 and 1/2" seam allowance helps with the angles.

I had all but given up on paper piecing, but at our NC retreat Jennifer gave a great class. I learned you (I) must use much larger pieces of fabric than the pattern calls for and then just trim after sewing. She had a "add a 1/4" ruler with a lip that helped with trimming. It still isn't my favorite thing to do, but I don't fear/hate it anymore.

beverly

I couldn't get Agnes' site, but found if you leave off the final "wed", it'll come up. Now I'm off to enjoy seeing those directions that help with PP.

Sorry about the extra "wed". Here it is

http://www.patchworks.com/paperpiecing.htm

I'm so new but have found if they don't give you sizes to precut just measure the longest length and width of the piece and add a little more than 1/2" each way. Leave it as a square or rectangle and trim after sewing. I'm also going to try stacking my pieces in order. I'm having more trouble with using the wrong color now that I've straightened out the sizes.
I, also, am perforating the lines by sewing without thread first.

I used to hate PP but then a very nice person helped me with a tutorial that she set up and I then bought the Carol Doak book which has good directions and now I really love it and would not hesitate to do PP--but not something like that pineapple pattern. LOL.

I feel is must apologize for my venting the other night. I just get so frustrated with PP. I appreciate all of your thoughts and advice, especially the method of determining the size of the fabric. I did see Fons and Porter, I guess that is what started me again but forgot how she measured the fabric. I have made things, such as the "Dancing Sea Turtles", I don't have pic of that just the pattern but it was a kit and looked just like that, and Mariners Compass pillow, but maybe I expect too much.

I LOVE the sea turtle pattern! And that pillow is GREAT! I never got the hang of making pillows, guess I should try one and see how it goes.

Vicky