On Friday I took a class on foundation paper piecing. Yes, I’m a little late to the game! I’ve always been able to do what I wanted without using the technique, but sometimes a block is more complex or sized in a way that makes it hard to do conventional piecing. It was time to add this skill to my toolkit.
The kit for the paper piecing class included a pattern printed on “foundation” paper. It reminded me of newsprint paper. It worked easily but seemed expensive. Many years ago, pre-quilting, I took a couple of art classes. I saved some of the supplies; perhaps I had a pad of newsprint with those things.
I didn’t. However, as I dug through the drawings (not terrible for a beginner!) and paintings (no comment,) I found this drawing done with watercolor pencils. Honestly I barely remember doing it. And now I rather regret I didn’t do more.
Catbird Quilt Studio 
Yes, those newsprint drawing pad papers are excellent for paper piecing. The cheap paper tears easily for removal, yet is sturdy enough to deal with close stitching.
I bought a pad of big paper, since I’m making long borders. It wasn’t cheap and I think it will tear away okay. But I’m glad to have it either way, as sometimes I need big paper for one thing or another and don’t have any. I’ve seen others say that the cheap “doodle” pads of paper, like you would give to a toddler, are good because they are quite lightweight. And I’ve seen some people say that those don’t go through a printer well. ??? So, things to try! 🙂
I usually make copies of my paper piecing designs by needle hole tracing them onto a stack of paper with my sewing machine. I use an old needle and don’t thread the machine. That way the paper is pre-punched for tearing away later.
I thought it was embroidery at first glance, too! Do you like to do applique? The drawing could be translated that way, too.
I’m not very good/experienced at applique and think something like this is way beyond my skills. I think I’ll just enjoy it for what it is. Thanks.
I love the things I find while I am looking for something else! Yesterday I found a book of my daughter’s that I was sure I had given away — it was “hidden” on the bookshelf! Why would a lost book be on the bookshelf?
And you not only found a nice drawing, you found a forgotten talent! 🙂
What fun to find the forever-gone book! Is it one either of you have wished for in the meantime?
Besides the nice drawing (and a small number of others,) I found a lot worth discarding. A lot of paper went in recycling, and a small number of other things will go to Goodwill. (And I plan to share the other drawings in another post.)
Your bouquet’s lovely. It would look nice done in crewel work, too. I haven’t played with anything artsy in decades, although I have fond memories of my squirrel carved from a bar of Ivory soap.
Now THAT made me laugh out loud. Do you still have that squirrel, or did it go down the drain? 🙂
It’s long gone. Honestly, I don’t even know what happened to it. Given the limitations of my medium, I had to be creative, too. He was sitting on his haunches, with his tail curled up over his back. 🙂
We still have Son’s cheetah. https://ourviewfromiowa.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/how-the-cheetah-got-its-speed/
That’s just great, Melanie. It reminds me of the “Just-so Stories,” or some of the African folk tales I heard when I was there. It’s a real treasure — and the story and illustrations fit perfectly.
I think the assignment was to write a “just so” story. It’s fun to see again. I’m not one to keep stuff. If it weren’t for Jim, there would be no evidence… 🙂
You are an artsy person! 🙂
I’ve always admired people who could make stuff, and I tried a number of different ways to express myself. The quilting seems to be the one that stuck! 🙂
It’s a beautiful drawing, and would make a lovely embroidery – in fact, when I saw the thumbnail photo in the Reader I thought it WAS an embroidery. Good for you with FPP – personally, I print out the patterns on the cheapest, lightest photocopy paper I can find, and stitch on a very small stitch length to perforate as much as possible and make tearing out easier. And a good pair of tweezers is vital! There are almost as many ways to do it as there are standard piecing or appliqué; experiment and find what works for you and don’t listen to people who tell you there’s only one right way 🙂
My first project is a border for the red and white, and it’s 3.5″ wide by 42″ long. I drew it by hand. I dropped my stitch length a bit and I don’t think it will be hard to tear out. Thanks for the encouragement and advice.
I find paper piecing totally addicting and do a lot of Quiltworx patterns. But, being a hand quilter, I also find that paper piecing does not lend itself well to hand quilting. Too many seams and folds of fabric. I generally send paper pieced quilts out to be longarmed.
Yes, I imagine hand quilting would be hard with all the seams. Those are intricate patterns. I doubt I’ll be ambitious enough to work them, but I’m sure the method will come in handy some times.
I think you should do more.
I think maybe I should.
Who knew when you sketched that, you would be brightening your day with a bouquet of flowers years later to give yourself. That would be neat hand embroidered!
Oh my, embroidery now! That probably won’t ever happen, but yes, it would be a pretty picture! Instead perhaps I’ll trim the paper to a nice size and hang it for myself. Thank you!
Nice! It’s always fun to find out that you have more talent than you knew, isn’t it! I have to tell you I use plain old copy paper for my foundation piecing and it works fine. And be careful, paper piecing can become addictive. The best way to do it is to set up an ironing board or pad behind you and use a chair that rotates so you can turn from the sewing machine to the ironing board. Add a little cutting board on one side and you’re good to go!
Thanks for the encouragement and tips. I had fun in the class, but of course it was all prepared ahead for me. We’ll see if it is as fun doing it on my own! Thanks again.