How can I get old Mystery Blocks?
When a mystery block has served its time on the site as a free pattern, the solution is revealed and a picture of it is posted to the Mystery Block Gallery. A new mystery goes up and the old one is retired. The old one is no longer free and reverts to a saleable pattern. Past mystery blocks will eventually come back around as patterns for sale, usually in 18-24 months.. You may request to be notified when the one you're interested in returns for sale.
    Mysteries available for sale
    Mysteries available for free: Round Tuit | Current Mystery

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How often do the mystery blocks/site updates happen?
Currently I put out about five mysteries a year, which works out to every other site update. The site updates happen "approximately monthly," which is about every five weeks or 10 times a year.

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Are we supposed to email a picture of the finished mystery block?
There is never a requirement to send pictures, although we always enjoy seeing what is accomplished. Those who send in pictures of their mysteries and projects have the means and knowledge to use their digital cameras, scanners, etc. If this is you, we'd love to see!

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There's a new MB available, but I get the old one when I click the link
(1) Go back to the mystery page and try the "refresh" (or "reload") button. (2) If that doesn't work, try emptying your computer's internet cache. Finally, (3) The internet is a network of computers, and updates do not register at the same time for everyone everywhere. Sometimes you'll have to wait up to 24 hours for your locality to catch up.

What is a UFO?
Unfiinished Object. (You must be new to quilting!)

What is UFO Mania? / What are UFOs and Samples?
Check out UFO mania, where we quilters can post the projects we know we will never finish and would love to see "disappear." The idea is to make just enough money to cover all postage expenses--and maybe a little more for the donor if the project is particularly appealing to others.
    "Samples" are the tops and blocks I have made in the course of designing Paper Panache patterns. I put these up for silent auction from time to time.
    Silent auctions are run directly from this site, and all information you submit comes to me directly. There is no complicated registration system nor third parties involved.
    UFOs and Samples / Silent Auction info

When is the UFO maillist used?
Please note that I will only use the UFO email list when I post new UFO offerings at a time other than at a regular site update. Usually UFOs are covered by the regular site update announcement. This means that you should check for new UFOs as soon as you get the announcement for the monthly site update.
     "First come, first served" UFOs are often snapped up within a couple of hours. This may be first thing in the early morning as I often post very late at night.
    Also, I am thinking about making more first come-first served adoptions into auction adoptions because there have been several interested parties for most first come first served adoptions.

What is the difference between your patterns and others?
Paper Panache paper piecing is pretty similiar to other paper-pieced patterns out there. It does tend to be more detailed, which means more pieces and sections. Remember, the beauty of paper piecing is that you can add small pieces without a lot of effort.
    You can get an idea by downloading the mystery block PDF and take a look at it. Normally, however, the pattern sections are not separated like the mystery block pattern is. See the drawing below.

Are your patterns easy enough for beginners? ...difficulty rating?
These patterns do assume some previous paper- or foundation-piecing experience. If pressed, I would say they are intermediate.
     HOWEVER, whether these patterns are "easy enough for a beginner" depends completely on the beginner. If you've done any multi-section paper piecing before, it is identical. The only potential difference may be that sections are sewn back together along the paper (rather than sewn on a line through the paper)*. I have had a few beginners write to tell me they did their first paper piecing using one of the Mystery Blocks.
    In general, I don't want to guess what might be "too hard" for you. Here is collection of How-tos and Advice.

    *Most Paper Panache patterns do NOT include printed 1/4" seam allowances. They are whole patterns. Sections are cut apart on the heavy lines, and after paper piecing they are pinned along seam lines and sewn back together. Patterns do look less intimidating once you cut them apart. The individual pieces look pretty much just like any other pattern pieces you may have come across.

What is a Master Copy Only pattern?
Most Paper Panache patterns include both a sewing foundation and a "master copy" of the pattern to keep. A "Master Copy Only" pattern does not include the sewing foundations. You receive one copy of the pattern ("the master") which has to be photocopied or reproduced in some way to make your own foundations.*
    Even when a foundation is supplied, some people prefer to make copies onto their own foundation paper.

*By the purchaser, for personal use only.

How big is ...?
You can find size information in the Alphabetical Pattern List and on the pattern description pages. In general, the patterns in the Original Patternletter run from 4x4 to 8x10 and photocopying to size is assumed. The individual patterns come in larger sizes, on up to 32"x32".

What's a PDF? / What program do I use to open a PDF?
    A PDF is a file that is opened in a program called Acrobat Reader, which must be installed on your machine before you can see it. Often Reader has already been loaded with your browser or other programs on your computer. It must be version 4.0 or later to open Paper Panache patterns..

    To view and print a PDF online, LEFT CLICK on the PDF link. (If in doubt, run your mouse pointer over the link and look at the status bar at the bottom left of your screen. The file name with the .pdf extension will show up there.)
    To save the PDF to your hard drive, RIGHT CLICK on link. Select "SAVE TARGET AS" or "SAVE LINK AS". Save the file to your hard drive, and remember where you save it to so you can find it again.
    To open a PDF file downloaded to your hard drive, DOUBLE CLICK on it. Acrobat Reader will open by itself and show you the file.
    NOTE: If you have downloaded a pdf to an open folder or desktop and the file(s) do not appear, right click on that folder or desktop and select "Refresh."
    If you downloaded a PDF to your hard drive, double clicked on the icon and nothing happened or you got an error message, you probably don't have a form of Acrobat Reader installed. ("Present" does not automatically mean "installed.") Click on the yellow icon below which directs you to where you can download the program and how to install it.

If you don't already have the free Acrobat Reader, go to the Adobe site to get one:

  FREE from Adobe...to read all those
  PDFs you come across on the net.

    I try to keep the PDFs accessible by version 4.0 and later.  More PDF information can be found on the PDF page.

Help! Reader is installed but I can't open / see / print a PDF pattern!
OK...no panicking...stuff to check:
--Have you been opening Paper Panache PDFs up until now? If so, are you using the same computer as before?
--Are you using (at least) Acrobat Reader 4.0? I save all my pdf files as 4.0 so that most people can open them, but I still run into an Acrobat 3.0 user once in a while. (I think the current version is 7.0.)

Try:
--If you have been double-clicking on the pdf icon to open it, open Acrobat Reader first and then use File>Open in the menubar to open the file from inside Reader.
--Reboot your computer and try again.
--Have a freind save/open/print it out for you.
--Reload a fresh copy of Acrobat Reader

If you write to me about a PDF problem, I will direct you here. If you get an error message, tell me what it says. Describe for me at what point the process stops dead. I need more nformation than "I can't open the PDF."

PDF printing advice
Most Paper Panache PDF patterns have an "inch mark" graphic somewhere on its pattern pages. The idea is to measure this mark after printing to make sure the 1" mark is actually 1" in both directions. Then you'll know that the pattern conforms to all the measurements given in the directions.

To get correct size of patterns when printing pdfs:

In ACROBAT READER 4.0 print menu, uncheck all boxes at top right.
(A checkmark next to "Print as image" also seems to be okay.
Definitely DO NOT use"fit to page.")

In ACROBAT READER 7.0 print menu, make sure Page Scaling is set to "None."

I've done what I can, and my inch mark is still a little too small!:
    The answer seems to be: use better print quality, NOT DRAFT.
    As far as I have been able to determine, getting a reduced inch mark has to do with the combination of your operating system, the version of Acrobat Reader you're using, and the printer driver that works between the two. For instance, I have one printer connected to two different computers, one running Windows 98 and one running XP. Depending on which computer I am using, my print quality choices are slightly different in the printer's print menu. I normally print in draft, but in 98 this seems to result in smaller inch mark. HOWEVER, I found that if I use the better default print quality (NOT DRAFT) , the inch mark is correct. Thankfully, on the XP, I get a proper inch mark even when I use draft.
    If all else fails: For some patterns like standalone mystery blocks, it won't matter in the scheme of things if the inch mark is uniformly small (the same size in both directions). Just remember that any printed measurements given will be different.
    If you can't get a full inch mark, your choices are to make the block at whatever size you get it to print at, to try a different printer, or get someone else to print the pattern out for you.

The (right / bottom) edges of pattern aren't printing!: I'm thinking you have one of those checkboxes selected...then again, this may also be an individual printer problem.  I do tend to use smaller margins because I want to save pages and printing. I always test the pdf before I upload it, so I know it is a working pattern here.

Printing online .gif patterns gives me a blank page!
I have had this happen when my printer is low or out of colored ink. Also, try taking the printer out of draft mode (use a higher print quality). It will happen on one machine and not another. Try using a different printer, or have a friend print it for you.

What kind of foundation paper do you recommend?
I like the body of plain old 20-lb. copy paper. "Butcher" or freezer paper is also nice because when you press it, it sticks to the fabric to hold it in place. There are specialty papers sold for foundation piecing that are lightweight, easy to see through, and easy to tear. Depends on whether you want to spend money or not.

May I enlarge your patterns before using?
Certainly. I allow enlargements or reductions on my patterns, and you may do it without asking my specific permission. However, I realize that some copy shops will not allow copying of copyrighted material without a written notice. Until I manage to put this notice on all pattern reprints, write to me if necessary for an email permission slip to take to the copy shop.

Is there any problem with ink transfer?
You will not experience ink transfer problems with original copies of Paper Panache patterns when used as recommended. However, please check for special cases in Information about transfer problems .

Do you have such-and-such pattern or know where one is?
Here is my Alphabetical Pattern List. After that, my best advice is to go to yahoo or google and put "thingyou'relookingfor paper-pieced quilt pattern" or "thingyou'relookingfor foundation quilt pattern" in the search box. (Leave off the quotes.) That's what I do, and it usually turns up clues I can use.

How do you design paper piecing patterns?
...This is a huge question! Someday I would like to write a how-to on this, but for now, here's a very small clue.

What is the best way to see all available patterns?
Most of my offerings are single patterns. The fastest way to see them is to look at the
QuickView Catalog. Then visit the patternletter pages to see the newsletter back issues. The freebies can be found in the guest pattern archive and simple request patterns.
If you like lists, there is the AtoZ listing and the Theme listing.

Can I order online?
Yes! We offer a secure online order form which allows you to send your credit information with confidence. If you prefer, you may print out the form to send with your check or money order. Browse the Pattern Collection / Shopping Cart.

Can I get a catalog sheet?
Please see the online Quick-View Catalog , which you may also download in PDF form for your future reference. Patterns from the patternletter are not on the catalog sheet, but you can see them here. I no longer produce printed catalog sheets.

Can I subscribe to site update information by email and/or RSS?
Yes! Here's the venerable Email Mail List. When you sign up, you will receive a confirmation email and you must confirm to be added to the list.
   If you are familiar with Really Simple Subscriptions (RSS), you may now add Paper Panache to your favorite service and get notice of all site updates and reminders. The RSS buttons are on the home page.
    If you use an aggregator or reader service other than Yahoo or Bloglines, you can subscribe by clicking the RSS button. Copy and paste the URL of the page that pops up into your reader, or follow the instructions provided by that reader.

Where is your privacy policy / copyright / permission / address info?
Privacy Policy
Copyright and Permission
Snail Mail Address

What is personal use? If I purchase your patterns or have downloaded free patterns, can I make a wall hanging, pillow etc. and sell them or is that a violation of copyright?
For my purposes (this is not a law definition), I define "personal use" as one individual buying, making, photocopying, and/or modifying one of my patterns to make a block or top that the individual will keep for themselves or give as a gift.
    The purchaser of the pattern may not make copies of the pattern to give away or to sell.
    Blocks, tops, or quilts made with my patterns for donation to charitable causes, for auction or otherwise, is generally approved.
    Every designer would have different criteria about a pattern owner selling their designs without receiving compensation, and in my case it depends on volume. If you are selling a piece here and there based on my patterns...say up to five items over your lifetime, using different designs, you may go ahead and do so. If your plans include making several copies of one design or one each of every design you can get your hands on, I want to know about it. Write and tell me your specific plans, and I will decide whether compensation should come into play.
   With every item based on one of my patterns, please include a tag with this information: Paper-pieced design by Paper Panache Patterns, http://www.paperpanache.com.
    Please email with questions.

Can we trade links?
Most likely...! Anything quilt related; commercial and personal welcome. See my Link to Paper Panache info page!

Help! My question isn't here!
You know what I'm going to make you do, don't you?