The Ultimate Paper Piecing Tutorial! FREE PATTERN

In this quilting tutorial we will be covering all the basics of paper piecing. What you need to get you going, the tools that will make it easy, and of course my top tips for the best results. Plus there is a free pattern download at the end!

You can find the free EVERGREEN BLOCK paper piece pattern at
You can find the free ECONOMY BLOCK paper piece pattern at

Tools for Paper Piecing

Videos Mentioned
Economy Block - Fussy Cut - Three Methods, Three Sizes
BUDGET SEWING - 10 SEWING HACKS FROM THE DOLLAR STORE PART 2
💎📚TURN YOUR SCRAPS INTO GEMS - GEMOLOGY

Check out these talented paper piecers
🧵🌸 LET'S TALK ABOUT PAPER PIECING with Veruschka Zarate - Karen's Quilt Circle
🧵🌸 LET'S TALK ABOUT BECOMING A MAKER with Cristina De Miranda - Karen's Quilt Circle
🧵🌸 LET'S TALK ABOUT PATTERN TESTING with Kendall McCollum - KAREN’S QUILT CIRCLE

Check out my latest Podcast
LET’S TALK ABOUT Machine Parts with Brian Meloni

Check out my last video
MY QUILTCON HAUL

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Recommended Video Series You Should Check Out!
TIPS & TRICKS FOR BETTER RESULTS
KQC/KAREN’S QUILT CIRCLE PLAYLIST
COLOUR YOUR QUILT - THE COLOUR THEORY SERIES
Download My FREE Fast And Easy Stashbuster Patterns

My Most Watched Videos
BUDGET SEWING - TOOLS & HACKS FROM THE DOLLAR STORE
FAST AND EASY BEGINNER QUILT - QUILT-IN-A-DAY STASH BUSTER - FREE PATTERN

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[laurarose]

It’s going to take me watching this a thousand times for my brain to catch up.

[Toad-In-A-Puddle]

The seam rollers can be found at the hardware store in the wallpaper department...much cheaper than the fancy fabric store ones.

[rosiewesterhold]

I’ve been doing this for YEARS after taking a class from Judy Niemeyer about 20 years ago. The LIGHTBULB went off then. Works EVERY time, no pieces too small when flipping to the next piece. WooHoo🙌🙌!! Best tip of the day, Karen👍!!

[lindah]

I have taught myself FPP via YouTube videos, the last six months. Your video is by far one of the best. Wish I had it six months ago. I love your videos. You do excellent work explaining everything and easy terms. Thank you.

[manuelashannon]

First, I’ve learned a lot from you, but I will have to disagree on several elements on this topic. I’ve done quite a bit of FPP, including miniatures and learned from many experts including from a certified Quiltworkz educator and Carol Doak. I don’t recommend cutting the seam allowance. It gives you wiggle room in preserving the 1/4 seam, so you aren’t short when flipping over. The 1/4 seam gives you a cut line. You can remove paper at seam when joining sections while keeping the other paper intact. I recommend 1-1.5 stitch size, really helps tearing off. I wouldn’t back stitch or lock stitch bc it can at bulk at points, smaller stitch solves that. Sew off the paper. Many patterns do not include the seam allowance. You must measure and examine the pattern. I draw them when missing. I do love FPP bc it gives you great results.

[Railroadersbrat-]

I actually get a ream of actual newspaper paper from Amazon for my paper piecing. As someone who has extreme sensitive hearing some days, I used to use tissue paper that I would iron until it was flat, glue it to a piece of cardstock and then put it through my printer, but I couldn't handle the sound and it made me move away from FPP for a long time. One of my aunts suggested newspaper paper and the first time I used it, I knew she was right and I've used it since then. With it being super lightweight and the smaller stitch length, removing it from the block is super easy. I keep the 1/4" on the paper, even if I can't get all of the smaller pieces, I'm not too bothered by it because it's thin paper and it will eventually disintegrate when the quilt is washed.

I also will print my extra block for cutting on cardstock, THEN I cut the pieces and I give myself a very generous 3/4" extra, I'd rather have too much then not enough. I use Alphabitties if the block is simple, I just match the piece to the Alphabitty and then keep it on the stack. I've lost the cardstock pieces in the past, by using the Alphabitties, I can put the templates away somewhere safe and if I have to cut more, I don't have to worry about not having all the pieces.

One big tip for certain, make sure you have enough ink!!! Luckily, I do my own refilling of my cartridges but I haven't in the past. Even if you THINK you have enough ink, you still may not so have an extra set of cartridges nearby, just in case. This is especially true if your full quilt top is going to be paper pieced, you'll be printing out dozens of blocks and running out of ink in the middle of the process is absolutely a hair raising experience. I do know this one from experience!!

[corinneethier]

WOW, I can''t wait for the rest of the series, you are the best teacher ever!! Thank you.

[sevenandthelittlestmew]

Your tips for cutting the fabric pieces to prep for the pattern were GOLD. Using the highlighter to mark the edges of the pattern pieces for the background to ensure they match the grain is something I never learned. It is going to be an absolute game changer for my blocks to keep them from (sometimes) warping.

[danawhite]

This tip I learned from another YouTube creator - Lisa Capen of Lisa Capen Quilts. Instead of pre-folding her pieces, she uses a lightbox to place her fabric the 1/4" needed past the sewline. Then she takes it to the sewing machine and sews on the line. She also uses a roller to press her piece and a glue stick to make sure the fabric stays in place before cutting her 1/4".

[amysheridan]

Karen, these are fantastic tips, especially using the extra pattern as templates for the pieces. Takes a lot of the frustration out of the process! Thanks so much 😊

[jocelynd]

I have found using freezer paper so much easier and love the results.

[dypick]

Genius! Using the template to cut the fabric. I’ve waisted so much fabric by cutting the pieces wrong.

[pattweimer]

Karen, several comments... your weight change looks FABULOUS on you. Your hair style is your neslxt FABULOUS...you have found your zone, keep this up. The paper piecing is a win for me & a great many quilter. Thank you.

[kristiparker]

I've been doing FPP for decades, and I learned some new tips from you. THANK YOU!!

[yarnexpress]

FPP is a godsend to those of us with aging vision. Dear Jane has been on my bucket list for a very long time. I originally thought I would hand piece but not happening with my eyesight. Decided to try FPP. Used free & very old quilt assistant to draft the blocks then had QA print for FPP. The final piece to the Dear Jane was to use vellum paper instead of newsprint because I can see the placement of those tiny patches without resorting to a light box.

[juliemac]

1. I cut strips (wide enough for whatever is needed), then cut the pieces as I go. This allows me to have sufficient buffer around the pieces. Usually I cut off scraps large enough to use on another step of the FPP.
2. I make 1 block as a test, then move all blocks through each step, together.
3. I use old tweezers to pull all the paper. It really makes it easier and less messy.
4. I DEFINITELY leave the paper on the seams. There is no way I'd remember to leave it extended beyond the stitch line.

[susanowen]

I've never really been interested in paper piecing, and your video is the first one I've watched where I thought, "Well, you know...maybe I will..." Trust me when I say even that bit of a shift in opinion is a big deal; I can definitely be a stubborn, cut off your nose to spite your face sort of person. It seems like a lot of work, yet you can't argue with the results. The blocks really came out clean and attractive. Anyway the video is now saved in two different playlists for future reference 🙂

[juliemorrison]

Thank you Karen for such a thorough explanation of FPP method. It always looked to fussy for me but your tree pattern looks manageable. I will definitely have to give it a go this year.👏♥️🇦🇺

[juliebeard]

Brilliant tutorial. I wish to were around when l first started FPP. ❤ Thank you

[debladue]

Can’t wait for ‘how to make your own patterns’ segment. Thanks for this tutorial. I have done FPP for a while, but I still learned something new.