This section describes my workspace and the equipment that I use when creating my paper-pieced quilts.
When paper piecing, it helps to have your workspace set up in a logical way. There are three things that you will be doing a lot – cutting, sewing and pressing. As such, you will need easy access to a cutting mat, a sewing machine and an ironing board. I set my sewing machine in front of me. I am right-handed, so I place my cutting board directly beside me on my right side and the ironing board on my left side. I sit on a desk chair with wheels and scoot between the three areas. Set the ironing board up at the same height as your sewing machine, so that you can comfortably iron while sitting down. This has the added advantage that the ironing board can act as an extension of your sewing table and can support large paper templates when necessary. It is important to have good light when paper piecing. A room with natural light is helpful, but I also have a bright table lamp directly next to my sewing machine, which can be used at all times.
The good news is that you don’t need to have too much fancy equipment to be able to paper piece. Here is a list of the basic kit that you will need.
While it is true that you can paper piece without too much fancy equipment, there are definitely a few tools that can make life easier.
The Add-A-Quarter ruler is a simple ruler with a 1⁄4in lip running along the edge. It allows you to butt the 1⁄4in lip up against the folded paper when trimming seams and to cut a perfect 1⁄4in seam every time with no danger of the ruler slipping. When I first purchased this ruler, I was determined not to like it. I thought it was a gimmick and was cynical as to whether it was really needed, but over time I found myself reaching past my standard quilting ruler in search of it. I am now a true convert and love using it.
A light box is still on my list of items to buy. Although I have limited experience of using them myself, I have taught classes where there have been light boxes present. In general, those using light boxes have got to grips with the technique faster and more easily than those holding their fabric up to the light.
I strongly recommend using a walking foot when sewing together the individual paper foundations of a pattern. The bigger the pattern, the more helpful the walking foot is, as it stops the sewing machine from slipping on the paper and keeps everything lined up correctly.
Clover Wonder Clips can be really helpful when sewing paper foundations together, as they can be used to clip pieces of paper together.
Opinions are split as to what type of paper you should use when foundation paper piecing. I must admit that due to the volume of paper piecing that I do and the large size of many of these patterns, I generally tend to stick to normal 80gsm-weight printer paper. It has the advantages of being cheap and easily available. The disadvantage of printer paper is that it is not as easy to see through as vellum and paper specifically designed for paper piecing. It is also sturdier and as such harder to remove at the end.
I have recently started piecing using 80-weight thread. This is a really fine thread that leads to the stitches becoming virtually invisible. An advantage of 80-weight thread is that it doesn’t add extra bulk to seams. As layers of fabric can easily build up in the seam allowances of paper-pieced patterns, it is great not to have thread compounding the problem. I was initially worried that 80-weight thread would be too thin and would break, but I have not had a single thread break when removing papers, and I have deliberately pulled some of the papers off quite roughly to test the thread strength. I tend to use light grey or ecru thread as these shades are neutral and blend into most fabrics.
I tend to use 80 /12 size machine needles for paper piecing, but at times, when I am using more delicate fabrics, such as Liberty and Oakshott cottons, I will switch to a thinner 70 /11 needle.
