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How can I be sure the fabric I'm adding
will cover the area it needs to?

To help you cover any shape more easily

To
cover pattern with fabric, always begin by turning your pattern so that the last
piece added (A) is on the bottom, the seam to be sewn (B) is horizontal in the
middle, and the area to be covered (C) is above the seam line. (Piece #2 will
be added in this example.)
Isolate
in your mind the shape of the area to be covered. Imagine it as the top wing of
a beautiful, symmetrical butterfly. In your mind, flip the shape over and down
to make the bottom wing of the butterfly. It is this bottom shape (plus the
seam allowance) that must fit on the fabric you are adding.
You
can get the same effect if you crease the pattern on the seam line with your thumbnail
and fold it down to see if the area (plus the seam allowance) will fit onto the
scrap you have chosen. After a little practice, you often wont have to flip
the pattern down; youll only have to imagine that bottom wing.
The
new fabric is placed right side up under the pattern so that the top edge is 1/4"
above the seam line. Holding paper and fabric together with your fingers, turn
everything so it will slide under the presser foot. Sew the seam...trim the seam
allowance...
...and
the added fabric will flip over and cover the area nicely. Trim away the excess
fabric around the outside of the shape, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. Add
the next piece, starting with step #1.
TRY IT! This will work for any-shaped piece...just be sure to keep the
seam line horizontal
in the middle.
If this helped you, feel free to print this
out for your paper piecing friends.
Paper Panache, Images and Ideas for
Paper Piecing
P.O. Box 2124, Winnetka, CA 91396-2124 / www.paperpanache.com
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