Day 2: Paper pieced Heart Potholder

[Vanessa]

Day 1 is here
Day 2:

This post has lots of pictures in it. You probably won't need them all, but I included them because I am a visual learner, and I figured that some of you are, too. If you have any questions, please ask. I'll come back to answer them. Feel free to post a pic of your completed block on this thread if you'd like. It's fun to see how it looks in very different colors.

First a few simple things to know about paper piecing. If you're a seasoned quilter but have never paper pieced before, it's probably going to seem a little odd and backwards at first. Just go with it.

1) We'll be sewing with the fabric underneath the paper. Yes, we sew through the paper.

2) Always set your stitch length really short because this makes it much easier to tear the paper away at the end without ripping out stitches.

3) Pressing is really important, and you'll need to do it after each seam. It will make or break your project. Some people finger press or use a bone folder. I get up and use the iron. I like to move around, and I think it gives better results.

4) It's pretty much sewing by numbers. It's easy once you get the hang of it, and it allows for great precision. The project we're doing is extremely forgiving, so just have fun with it.

5) The finished block is always the reverse of the printed image.That doesn't matter much for our project but it's important for things like letters so you want to keep it in mind.

Okay, let's get started. I'm going to be working with the simple version just to cut down on the number of pictures. If you're doing the scrappy version, you just follow the numbers. (I'll also post pictures of the first couple of steps of the scrappy version.)

[Vanessa]

First, get your paper pattern and your fabrics together. Press your fabric.




A totally optional step that you might find useful is to hold your pattern up to a window and just roughly trace over the lines. This can sometimes help with placement as you're positioning fabrics later on.



Always cut the fabric pieces bigger than the area that you need them to cover. You want to allow for at least a 1/4" seam allowance, but we will be cutting off excess material later, so it's better to err on the side of being too big. Scrap fabric is much cheaper than sanity. ;) In this picture, the green is going to cover area 1 and the pink area 2. The first seam that we sew will be the seam in between area 1 and 2. When you sew the seam, sew the extra 1/4" for the SA on either side.



I take the fabrics, and I position them on the back (non-printed) side of the pattern. I put the green down first (section 1) and then the pink second (section 2). They are right sides together with the majority of the fabric covering section 1. Be sure to have at least 1/4" for a SA in section 2.



Flip it over and take it to the sewing machine. You'll be sewing through the paper with the fabric underneath. I find it helpful to put my needle in center position because it's easier to follow the sewing line.



Sew down the line between 1 and 2 extending the line 1/4" on each end for the SA.

[Vanessa]

Press this seam flat with the tip of your iron.



Trim the SA underneath to approximately 1/4". It doesn't have to be exact. You can just use scissors if you'd like since we're doing it to eliminate bulk.

You cal also trim up along the edge if you'd like. (Or wait until the whole block is finished.) For this, I use my ruler and rotary cutter.



Lay the part for section 3 on top of section 3 right sides together. Be sure to leave enough for a SA, and sew the seam.







Press it open. Trim SA underneath.




Repeat the process for each section.











Same shot, but after the SA has been trimmed.





Trim down the completed block.



Here is what the backside looks like at this point.



Hooray! We'll quilt and bind it tomorrow.

[Vanessa]

Below are some photos for the first steps of the scrappy version. The process is always the same. Just remember to sew by number.







Trimming down the excess from piece 2.


Starting on piece 3.


Press it out.


Now you're ready to sew piece 4 which is the same as piece 2 on the simple version. Have fun!

[Helenanne]

Great Job with the directions and photos! Thanks

[Vanessa]

Great Job with the directions and photos! Thanks

You're welcome! I'm glad they make sense to someone other than me.

[jerigirl]

Just to clarify- are you putting the fabric right side up or down on the back side of the pattern?

[Vanessa]

It's always right sides together. So, the wrong side will be touching the pattern.

[hrford]

Here's mine. Ran into a couple problems with the 2 small corner pieces but got it sorta worked out (I hope).

[Vanessa]

It looks good.

[anniekay67]

Can't do this today, running to pick up truck load of seeds for the spring field planting. But I have so many color versions in my head. Headed to scrap bag to do a few

[~Luci~]

Thank you so much Vanessa! I have always wanted to learn to paper piece. You are a great teacher!

[Vanessa]

Thank you so much Vanessa! I have always wanted to learn to paper piece. You are a great teacher!

Thanks, Luci. That just made my night.

[antipodas]

Thank you for the pattern! I just saw it on Pinterest and thought it looked like a pattern I can learn paper piece with. I'll give it a go.

[Vanessa]

Thank you for the pattern! I just saw it on Pinterest and thought it looked like a pattern I can learn paper piece with. I'll give it a go.

You can definitely do it. Be sure to show it off on the Runway when you get it done.

[boongie74]

im doing this too! i havent been on here....ugh! but im starting now