How To Convert A Quilt Pattern To Paper Piecing

October 29, 2023November 1, 2023 Jessica 0 Comments Pattern, Piece, Quilting

Do you need to level up your quilting skills? Well, you can always use the paper piecing tool for your quilt patterns.

Paper piecing is one of the best-advanced tools to create unique shapes and exceptional patchworks on your quilt tops. With so many innovative ideas around the industry of sewing, you can convert your quilt patterns to paper piecing templates.

If you achieve excellence in making your own paper piecing templates, you will enjoy and have a lot of fun in quilting. You can level up and easily make more money through this procedure. But it’s crucial to understand the process thoroughly.

If you’ve newly started your journey on paper piecing, you must read this blog. This blog will provide you with all the necessary steps involved in converting quilt patterns to paper piecing templates. So, let’s dig in and read more.

How To Convert A Quilt Pattern To Paper Piecing?

Contents

How To Convert A Quilt Pattern To Paper Piecing?
Tips For Your Perfect Paper Piecing
- 1. Avoid To Economize on The Fabric
- 2. Be Patient and Cautious
How Can You Turn A Photograph Into A Paper Piecing Pattern?
What Is Meant By Hexagon Paper Piecing?

If you want to make innovative, crisp shapes and easy-to-do quilt patterns, use a paper piecing tool. In the beginning, you may face a bit of trouble, but everything needs practice, right?

If you’ve practised enough, this technique will become fun and easy for you. One secret to keep in mind is to arrange the order for adding your fabric items. You will need the proper equipment, quit pattern designs, etc., which you will cover furthermore in the blog.

If you’ve got a little knowledge about paper piecing, using this method for sewing quilt patterns will be no hassle. You can easily sew the intricate quilt blocks along with tricky Y-seams on the fabric.

Paper piecing tools will help you to get accurate and precise piecing of the quilt patterns. So, follow this guide with steps to get a proper insight into the procedure or technique.

Requirement Of Equipments To Convert A Quilt Pattern

If you want to start quilting patterns with paper piecing tools, you will need the proper equipment. You will have to meet all the requirements of equipment for the process. So, the equipment you will need are:

1. Foundation Paper

There are various types of foundation paper available in the market. You can use Carol Doak’s foundation paper for a handy, lightweight, and fancy paper. This paper has a good absorption rate of ink, so you can directly print on them.

You can also use a simple foundation translucent vellum paper for visibility through your paper. These papers are fancier and costly but offer an easy cut facility.

If you’re on a budget, go with plain old printer paper or freezer paper. These papers work best with digital quilt patterns. It is advisable to go with the first two foundation papers for an exceptional quilting experience.

2. Sewing Machine Needles

If you want an optimum quilting performance, you will need a sewing machine with the right sized needles.

If you want to perforate the paper for better ripping, you can use large needles of about 90/14. For actual stitching, you can use 80/12 size needles.

3. Rotary Cutter

If you want accurate and faster cutting of the layers of fabric or edges, you will need a rotary cutter. So, make sure that you are equipped with the best quality rotary cutter.

4. Ruler And Tapes

Furthermore, if you want precise measurements of your quilt patterns, you will need a ruler.

Use a ruler with an accurate measurement scale and alignment. In addition, you can keep a scotch tape for any uncertain purpose.

If you’re all set with your equipment, follow these steps for further guidance. So let’s get started from now.

Step 1. Make A Proper Plan For Your Units

You will need a proper plan for your units to quilt patterns in paper piecing. Some quilt patterns can be pieced in one flow.

You will need to arrange the fabric in the right order and sequence for better quilting. If your quilt block patterns are intricate or complicated, you will need to break them into several units.

Step 2. All-In-One Go Paper Piecing

Now, if you have a quilt pattern that can be pieced all in one go, you will need to look for the lines. As you know, fabric pieces can be stitched and flipped to cover one section at a time. This can create obstacles at the intersecting points of lines.

Henceforth, the paper piecing can go in one direction at a time without turning corners. So, you can perform all-in-one go paper piecing.

Step 3. Try To Look At Your Quilt Block Pattern As Grid

Now, you have to look for the pattern like a grid to break them into smaller units for easy sewing. Many quilt patterns are broken into four or nine patch principles.

If you consider your pattern like a grid, you can cut the blocks into horizontal or vertical lines and piece them to sew back together.

If your quilt pattern is way more complicated with symmetry and lines, you will need sub-units. These will be broken into diagonal lines to be pieced back together in diagonal rows.

Step 4. Split Your Units For Diagonal Seam

If your quilt blocks have triangular patterns with right-angled seams, you will face problems adding the fabric pieces. Additionally, you will have to split these types of quilt blocks.

In such cases, you will have to cut the quilt blocks into three diagonal rows. This will help to split up the Y-seams, and you can add or sew back your quilt fabric without any hassle.

Step 5. Trace The Template On Paper

Now, you will have to trace the template on the foundation paper. If you’ve split the block pattern into three diagonal rows, you can trace them easily.

You can use scotch tape to attach it to a window. This will help you with easy and remarkable tracing.

Step 6. Add Seam To All Sides

Now, you have to add seam allowance to all the sides of the quilt block units. You can add about ¼ seam allowance. In addition, you have to cut about ½ or 1 inch of units from all sides to trim them later.

Step 7. Use Flying Geese Triangle Pattern On Your Fabric

Now, if you start working with the centre unit, you will avoid hitting an intersection seam. You will have to add pieces to the sides of the centre square without disruption.

In addition, you can make a flying geese quilt by adding the pieces into the centre and then to the smaller triangles on the other sides. You have to add one side of the X block and the other to the centre.

Step 8. Join Your Units To Stitch Back The Quilt Blocks

After you’re done adding the pieces in the correct format, you can join them back together. You will have to stitch the blocks in diagonal rows. Also, ensure that all of your units are trimmed with a ¼ inch line.

You have to line up the edges or ridges to stitch them on the marked seam line. So, if you’re completely done with your piecing and stitching, remove the block papers.

Step 9. Make A Test Work At First

You may want to test your block at first and rework your quilt pattern if required. It may sound a little intricate, but you will start having fun after a few sessions.

You can convert any complex to the simple pattern to paper piecing for an exceptional quilting experience.

Tips For Your Perfect Paper Piecing

You can use some of the tips collected from experts about paper piecing for better quilt performance.

1. Avoid To Economize on The Fabric

You must take the fabric of different layers with extended length. If you cut fabric for making sections on paper piecing, ensure to take some extra length.

If your fabric is too short, for, say, shorter by ⅛ inch, you will have to rip tiny stitches. Alternatively, you may have to start over again.

2. Be Patient and Cautious

You have to be patient with the process. Take time and keep checking if the pieces are aligned correctly with the pattern or not.

Also, check if you have enough seam allowance or not. This will help you to finally rip off stitches easily.

How Can You Turn A Photograph Into A Paper Piecing Pattern?

You can turn a picture into a paper piecing pattern easily and effectively. You will have to find your desired photo with a simple generic style and composition.

Now, you can draw the block outline on all sides of the image. With the help of a ruler, draw section lines from one side to another side of block outlines.

With the subdivision of the sections, you can identify the contours of the picture. So, you can now easily turn your favourite photos into paper piecing patterns.

What Is Meant By Hexagon Paper Piecing?

You can make hexagons with the popular process known as English paper piecing. You can make the hexagon by wrapping fabric around a paper shape.

You will have to attach it to a place with the help of a stitch or glue. This hexagon paper piecing is one of the best ways to seam your quilt or fabric diagonally.

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Jessica

I'm Jessica Flores, a professional fashion designer and an expert seamstress.

Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.

I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.

It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.