Elizabeth Dackson - The Quilters Paper-Piecing Workbook: Paper Piece with Confidence to Create 18 Gorgeous Quilted Projects

CINCINNATI, OHIO

SKILL LEVEL: PRACTICE

SKILL LEVEL: ROOKIE

SKILL LEVEL: ADVENTUROUS

SKILL LEVEL: DARING

This book is dedicated to my children. To my sweet boy and brand new baby girl, I love you both so much and I am so glad to be your mommy! You two bring me endless joy and happiness. I feel so lucky to have you both.

xoxo, Mommy

Once upon a time, I participated in an online quilting bee with some dear and very talented friends spread far and wide. We called the bee group {Sew} Beautiful, and each month one of us would take a turn as the queen bee. The queen bee would pick out our block for the month and send us a bundle of fabric to use.

For 24 months, we sewed all kinds of blocks, from super-precise, traditionally inspired blocks to modern, improvisational ones. I loved every minute of it. We challenged each other every month, often trying techniques that were new to us. Sometimes a queen bee would even give us creative freedom within our monthly assignments, providing a general design idea but letting us pick out the exact block we would make.

Then it was Brooke Johnsens turn. Brooke chose a block called Circle of Geese that had been making the rounds online. It was a foundation paper-pieced block, but I didnt quake in my boots right away. I was still new enough to quilting not to know that I was supposed to be scared of paper piecing!

Foundation paper piecing was a skill I didnt have in my quilting arsenal yet, but I felt confident that I could figure it out. Im a pretty tenacious person, and I like to learn new things. I went into my first experience with paper piecing with a very open mind. I decided to dive right in and figure it out as I went, trying first with some scraps of my own before I used the fabrics Brooke sent along.

I stayed positive when I had to rip out my first seam because my fabrics werent placed in the proper spots. I tried to keep exuding optimism as my first paper template began to fall apart after I un-sewed it ten or eleven times. But even I have a breaking point when it comes to challenges, and I definitely hit that point attempting the Circle of Geese Block. I started over with a fresh template, which I wound up throwing across the room as I made the same mistakes over and over again.

Clearly, something wasnt computing. Rather than give up, I kept trying through six fresh templates. By the time the sixth one came apart from ripping out the same seam over and over, I knew I was done for the day. I turned my sewing machine off and stomped away, grumbling.

The next day, I tried again. After I made the very same placement mistake for possibly the hundredth time, something clicked. I understood what I was doing wrong. The next time I tried, I got my fabric in the right place. Then I did it again. And again. I felt like I was on top of the world when I flipped the template over, trimmed it, and saw that I had done it right. Finally! I think that feeling is what got me addicted to paper piecing.

Theres a simple moral to my story: If youve tried foundation paper piecing before and had a tough time, dont give up. It will click with the right instructions, I promise! Paper piecing can take a lot of practice, but will get easier each time. This book will make learning it a breeze.

You can use this book in a bunch of ways.

Obsessively sew through each pattern. This is probably how I would approach this book, using it as a workbook. The patterns get progressively more challenging, so youll learn and grow as you sew your way through them.

Read a little, sew a project or two. Start with the ones that strike your fancy and pat yourself on the back when you finish each pretty, pretty project. Tell all your friends how you mastered paper piecing using this book!

But seriously, tackle this book however you feel inspired to! Ive sorted the patterns in order of difficulty ranging from rookie to adventurous to daring. If youre in the mood for a challenge, jump right to one of the daring ones. If you want an easier project, pick one of the great rookie blocks.

Sometimes I see a quilt pattern and love the block, but I want to use it in a different way, perhaps mixed with another block. I wanted to give you that flexibility, so for each design, youll find a project featuring that block, plus block instructions so that you can use it in loads of other ways. Make some small things, like pillows or mini quilts or pouches, or try a larger project like a quilt. Each block pattern includes cutting instructions for maximum ease in piecing.

Above all, have fun with this book. Quilting is joyful, evenespecially!foundation paper piecing. If you find yourself getting frustrated, step away. I give you permission. You will feel much better and have a more positive attitude if you take a break, which will make the process way more enjoyable, too.

Happy paper piecing to you!

Elizabeth