Reader Paper Piecing Tips________
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From: Mary Caulfield
Re: A paper-piecing method alternative

Dear Linda,

I have a tip that may help other “spatially challenged” users of your patterns. I have made the Family Tree (twice), one of the borders, and now I am working on the Bowl of Shells.

As you know, the latter has many small polygons and small sharp triangles. Butterfly imagery and rough cutting the shape out of the fabric doesn’t work for me. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t see how to sew angled pieces together so they cover the pattern area. Pinning doesn’t help. The following method works for me.

I make a second copy of the pattern. Working one section at a time, cut out the individual pieces and lightly glue them to the wrong side of the corresponding fabric using a water soluble fabric glue stick. On a cutting mat, cut out each piece with a rotary cutter using an add-a-quarter ruler. Alternatively, draw the ¼ inch seam allowance with a disappearing ink fabric pen and cut out the pieces with scissors. Both methods work equally well and help ensure the sewn edge is on the straight of grain wherever possible. Because of all the small pieces, be careful to keep each section together – I put them in envelopes. Before sewing each piece to the paper pattern, I remove the glued on piece. This doesn’t add any time to the project. In fact, when I get ready to sew, all the pieces are already cut from the correct fabric, with the proper angles, and are easy for me to piece together. The sewing is more efficient and goes more quickly because I don’t have to rummage through the various fabrics used in the project.

I love the challenge of your patterns and the results as spectacular. But I had a love-hate relationship with them until I used this method. Thank you for your designs and a great web site.