Some tips on paper piecing I've learned on the way

1.  Cut strips and subcuts according to cutting instructions 2.  TURN YOUR MACHINE DOWN TO A VERY SMALL STITCH - NOT MORE THAN 1.5 3.  Put fabric piece #1 and fabric piece #2 right sides together, edges even. If you are piecing on a curve, you may need to shift #2 up or down to cover the curve.

4.  Place on the unprinted side of the paper foundation with the wrong side of fabric #1 against the paper. 5.  Be sure the inner edges of the two pieces are parallel to the first stitching line (hold paper up against light to see through it). Have that edge about ¼" beyond the stitching line 6.  Turn paper over so you can see the printed lines and stitch on the first line (between #1 and #2). Start about 3 stitches from the seam line, in the seam allowance and continue 3 stitches into the seam allowance at the end of the stitching line. 7.  Press seam as it is, w/o opening it, to set the thread into the fabric. Then open up the fabric #2 and press the line you have stitched. Use steam, press aggressively. 8.  Go to cutting board. Place the post card along the next seam you will sew (between #2 and #3) fold the paper (not the fabric) back over the postcard and crease. Place the Add-a Quarter ruler along the folded paper line and trim the fabric. You will have ¼" seam extending beyond the paper fold. 9.  Put your next piece of fabric (single layer only) right sides together against fabric #2, making sure it will extend up or down far enough to cover the points, turn over and stitch on the printed line. Repeat until the paper foundation is covered. Be sure to press and trim in between each addition of fabric. 10.  Place a regular rotary ruler along the outside seam line, having the ¼" line against the inner seam line, so that you will have a ¼" seam around all sides of your piece. Don't  trust that the printed seam is exactly ¼". Sometimes printing distorts the sizes. Trim with a rotary cutter. 11.  Remove the paper before you piece your blocks together. Start on an edge and tear against your thumbnail to start. Don't be afraid to "pop" the seams to get them started. If the paper doesn't come off easily, make the stitch length on your machine even smaller. ***If you have trouble remembering the order of adding fabric, pressing, etc, make yourself a Post-it-Note that says: ADD FABRIC SEW ON LINE PRESS TRIM ADD FABRIC And stick it on your machine! 12.  Have Fun! 2 Much Fun!!