The reason folks are using templates to cut the pieces when paper piecing is because many are using the kits purchased from TQS and there is not enough fabric otherwise. I have tried Martin's technique and frankly find it a bit confusing at times, at least for me - especially when a piece slips and gets sewn wrong and I have to redo it. Things get all bolloxed up. Faster is not always better.

Why not try using Peggy Martin's quick-strip paper piecing? If I had time I would do a practice piece. Maybe later today I can find some time. Just cut the strips about 1/4" wider than specified, then sew the paper piecing templates to the strips leaving a little space between each. C & T has a video on how she does it. You won't need templates to cut all of those little pieces and it goes much faster. When I use vellum paper I use a 1.5 stitch length most of the time and it still tears away easily.

Susan, I see what you mean now. I am planning on trying it by basically making my template with a 3/8" seam allowance and then trim. I'll see how the first one goes and if I run into to much trouble will adjust my template so I have a bigger allowance. Margo made it look so doable in the video. Will update after I do my first section.

I am finishing up machine quilting today on a smallish wall quilt for our guild quilt show deadline, which is looming. When I am finished, later today, or when I need a break from it, I will work on this month's sashing, using the provided directions. It certainly looks as though it will be much quicker than paper piecing a jillion little triangles, even with all the concern about accuracy. If not, no big deal, as I am doing this with my own fabrics and have a scrappy look anyway.

adamsme wrote:
Good luck! We want a report!

Elaine53 wrote:
Elaine, if you use the vellum tracing paper and put your stitch length to 1, the paper is really easy to get off...easier than the old postal stamps that we tore apart. There were a couple (ha, many) times when I sewed the seams twice. If three were required I put a piece of transparent tape over the paper.

There is still lots of paper, but no tiny bits in the seam.

LoriReid wrote:
Lori, I should have been more clear. I still want to add 3/8ths to the cutting line when making the template for fabric cutting purposes, but after I stitch I will trim to 1/8". I'm using the tracing paper method. I'm trying a sample again, in different fabric. I didn't run out of the blue last month so hope I'll have the same luck this month.

I'm curious to know if those who were short received additional fabrics yet. I did a search for the fabrics online and found both the blue bubbles and the yellow/orange, but forgot to bookmark where that was. Of course, purchasing online, we usually have to get 1/2 or 1 yard increments and I can't imagine that we'd need that much.

I'm curious to know how you do with the freezer paper method. I can't set my iron next to my machine, and that's a lot of up and down (not that I don't need the exercise), but I don't want to leave my iron on for hour upon hour either.

Hi Elaine -
If amount of fabric is not a big deal, I add a generous quarter and trim to a generous eighth.
Best wishes,
Mike

Should I add an 1/8 and sew or add 1/4 and then trim to 1/8 to reduce bulk?

I had the same thought as Susan to add an 1/8 around the template, not a 1/4. I am going to try the freeze paper method the way Margo shows in the video. I haven't tried the "real method" in the directions - maybe sometime on another project.

So are you not doing paper piecing? You do it according to the directions? That looks tricky to a beginner.

Elaine, if I were to paper piece this month, I would definitely try out the freezer paper method. You are quite right to assume that tearing out all those little paper pieces would be quite a task. Although, truth be told, before I knew about the freezer paper method, I had torn out many many little teeny tiny pieces of paper in other projects.

I'm waiting to hear what you decide, too. As a new quilter, you are all giving me such good ideas! I've learned the best thing for me is to wait a bit and let all you experienced quilters try it out and share your knowledge. I AM going to try the freezer paper piecing this month! It looks like it will take a little longer to do, but then there's no tiny bits of paper to tear off and clean up.

I am going to try this month according to the directions. It was quite tedious, although accurate, using the paper piecing method last month. I justified it because the pieces were large. Wish me luck!