Paradise in Bloom Quilt - Part 3

Now that everything is cut out (we hope!) it's time to get those units put together. If you've never done paper piecing, I would urge you to at least try it at least once. Maybe start with a small wall hanging type project first. If you have sewing experience you probably won't like dealing with all the paper. I don't either but I like paper piecing. I don't want to do nothing but paper piecing mind you but I like it. If you are new to sewing, give paper piecing a try. It's a great way to learn the 1/4" seam and sewing on printed lines is awesome. No thinking, just sew on the line.

You will need some things before you start. You will need an add a 1/4" ruler. Yes, there is such a thing. This is NOT a regular ruler. This ruler comes in varying lengths but I have a smaller 5" and a 12" long rulers. I also use a 3x5" index card to place along my fold lines to fold the paper back. The card just acts as a guide. You may also use a glue stick. I first learned using the glue stick but now I find I don't really need it. I do use it if the paper shape is awkward and I can't hold the fabric section in place easily with my hand. Then I use the glue to hold the fabric piece to the paper.

So here's how you paper piece.

This is unit A of my quilt. There are background pieces (lighter sections) and accent pieces (darker areas). On it you see that each section is numbered (Sec 1, Sec 2 etc) and there are dark lines and dotted lines. You fold the paper and sew on the dark lines. You don't do anything with the dotted lines.

Each dark line is numbered 1, 2, 3 etc. This is the order you do the sections in. Another words, don't do Line 1 first then sewn on Line 3.

Another thing to remember is that you are looking and sewing on the back of the pieced section. The front is the pretty side which means that is where the right side of your fabric goes. 

So to get started, we need to put the paper on the first section piece of fabric. The right side of the fabric goes down and the paper gets put on top of it. This is where you can put a little blob of glue to help hold the paper to the fabric. Just remember that the fabric piece must cover the section completely and that includes the 1/4" seam allowance.

Next, you want to trim away the excess fabric. So place your 3x5" index card along Line 1, and fold the paper back.

Place the add a 1/4" ruler along the edge. The index card will fit in the little groove making it easy, and trim away the excess fabric.

Next, you take the fabric for Sec 2 and line up the edge with the fabric edge from Sec 1. The bright orange fabric is my Sec 2 fabric. Now, line up your needle and sew on Line 1.

Open up the fabric and iron.

Now, repeat the steps. So line up your index card along Line 2 and pull back the paper.

 

Use your add a 1/4" ruler and line it up along the paper and trim away the excess fabric.

Line up your Sec 3 fabric and sew on Line 2, which I didn't get a picture of....

Once you've got the order down, that it.  Place fabric, trim, line up next fabric, sew on line, press open and trim.

Your sew lines will no doubt cross at some point like mine did ,which makes folding the paper back part a little awkward. So if that happens, just gently tear the paper back to where the lines cross that way you can fold the paper back freely.

Here's my finished Unit A for the Paradise in Bloom quilt.

Just remember to read all the instructions of your pattern first and then read them again. When you start your pattern, lay out all the pieces in front of you and just go slowly when you first start out and you should be okay.