Sewing More Complex Paper Pieced Patterns

Introducing “The Little Gnomeling”, the companion piece for The Fancy Mushroom.

Isn’t she cute?

This is the perfect next step into a little more complex paper pieced block.

Click here to download your Gnomeling Pattern.

Cut along the dotted lines to make 5 separate pieces. Be sure to print the extra copies, so you can keep your pattern pieces pinned to the fabric so everything stays organized. Remember to cut your fabric with the right side down.

Start with pattern piece A, and begin as you did with the mushroom, tacking down piece #1.

Here are a couple of shots of the bottom piece going on:

Note: The bottom piece will be off at an odd angle when you’re ready to sew. If you take your time to cut out the pattern pieces from the pattern, (be sure to add 1/4″ seam allowance to each piece) then you shouldn’t have any trouble lining up your seams so that the piece lays properly after you press it into place. In the next tutorial I’ll be sharing my own personal technique for ensuring my seams are lined up nicely.

Piece A completed. Note how the corners are pinned to the pattern to keep things nicely aligned for the next step:

It really helps to have perfect 1/4″ seam allowances on all your pieces.

Complete pattern piece B and pin it to A, right sides together…paper to the outside:

Take your time to carefully line up the corners at either end:

TIP: This is the WRONG WAY to insert your pins. Going straight at the fabric like this will cause the piece in behind to scooch down as you then move the pin to insert it:

This is the RIGHT WAY to insert the pins. Come in from the top at an angle. This way everything stays nicely aligned:

Sew pieces A and B together, and then flip to iron the seam. This is the RIGHT WAY to iron. Start at the base fabric, and then come sideways to press the seam all in the same direction. Flip and repeat on the front side:

Adding piece C:

Once you’ve sewn on C, D and E, this is what you’ve got:

A finished Little Gnomeling:

Let’s add a border to the top, bottom and left side of our mushroom – 2 and 1/2″ wide strips ought to do:

Trim your edges nice and straight, then add the gnomeling:

Cute eh?

Once you’ve got her figured out, why don’t you try the next pattern below?

Introducing “Gnomlette”. (Gnomelings big sister)

Here is your pattern:

Click here to download your Gnomelette Pattern.

Have fun, and please let me know if you make one!