paper piecing
 

How do you all do this, are you really that good with the sissors??? I'm wondering if I'm missing something, other than the obvious.

If I really need to be intricate I flip over one of my glass plates (as a cutting surface) and use a hobby knife to cut out an image. I've heard of some people using large picture frames too but I don't have one of those handy.

I just use paper punches. I can't cut anything very well.

I like to work with stamps with thicker outlines. Love Kim Hughes' stuff from Cornish Heritage Farms, now she has Paper Smooches.

The wider border gives a little bit of flexibility, and has most substance to stand out against the patterned paper.

I also think it helps to run a black marker around the outside of the cut paper. Keeps the edges from standing out.

Oh genius tip thanks!

I use nice sharp paper-snips (SU specifically). I have better luck if I turn the paper and hold the scissors steady. On very detailed (although I try not to use these types of stamps very often) ones I use and Exacto blade.

Studio 490 (Wendy Vecchi) stamps are aesy to cut out, too.

Vic

GREAT ideas, thanks!!

I usually use a good sharp pair of snips and make sure I have my reading glasses on. If its a digital image, then I use my CraftRobo.

I use an exacto knife to cut the pieces out, making sure to use firm pressure. I had to actually watch a video on how to cut with an exacto knife, and then psych myself up to do it, lol!

Then, I use the blending blocks from Sally's Beauty Supply. I use the fine side of a pink nail blender to smoth out any little funky places. That way I don't risk lopping off part of my image.

I love to traditional paper pierce. I know some of you are going "Aren't you the girl with twenty die cutting machines?" ROFL!

I use three pairs of scissors for my traditional paper piercing. I have my regular scissors I start off with to cut around the larger areas. I have my Cutter bees to get in those smaller areas. I have a tiny pair of snips I use for the detailed areas that regular scissors can't get to.

My biggest tip when cutting is move your paper and not your scissors. I don't remember where I learned that tip from but it's one of the best crafting tips I ever received.

I do also use my die cutters too.

I use my Cutterbees and nerves of steel.:) Not really, lol, the nerves of steel part, but I am blessed with a pretty steady hand.

I stamp a couple of images at once, so I have another one handy if I really screw up. And I don't try to cut exactly on the line, but leave a tiny white border. Some people distress the border, or color it, but I usually just leave it.

Mainly, I try to adjust my attitude - we're not looking for perfection here, just a pretty handmade item that looks nice.:) Try not to be so hard on yourself.

:D

I just cut it all with my paper snips, even the tiny pieces and the inbetween pieces. I have some little 'cheats' that I do to make the process a bit easier. For example if I was to paper piece a mug I would cut straight thru the handle to get to the inside blank piece, because once it is glued down neatly no one will notice the cut.

I very rarely use the tips of my snips either - I open them wide and use the cutting edge to within about 1/4" of the tip, especially on the intricate innie and outie curvy cuts. The trick as mentioned earlier is to move the paper, not the scissors.

My cuts aren't perfect either. If it looks neat I'm satisfied.

I must love cutting because I am always making projects that require it, LOL! I use my Pergamano scissors to cut small items out. They are small and curved like cuticle scissors. The curved blade helps me get a smooth edge on the shapes.

If it is an "inside" image that I need to cut out, like the handle on a teacup then I will make an "X" with an exacto knife in the cutout part to make a hole to put my tiny scissors.

i would cut along the line and then when you add, the already stamped line underneath is there to disguise where you've cut.

GREAT tip about the marker!! Gonna have to remember that..I LOVE!! paper piecing...you can change the look of a stamped image to a completely different look with just left over paper scraps...(and I've got WAY too many of those..save way too many I'm afraid). Oh well...my junk as I tell the hubby!

1. Move the paper and not the scissors is probably the best tip I ever learned from the Carol Duvall show. You'll be surprised what a difference this makes, and soon becomes second nature.

2. Use a glass cutting mat when using a craft knife. The knifes glides across the glass. If you use a self-healing mat, the knife will grab into the mat and your cuts will not be smooth.

3. When paper-piecing birds, butterflies, flowers, etc., if possible, I stamp the image on my cardstock, then again on dp. I cut just inside the stamped outline (the bird's body, for example, and then I don't need to worry about cutting around the beak and feet.)

4. If stamping in black on dp, adhere your dp to black lightweight paper before cutting, and you'll automatically have a black outline (if that's the look you're going for.)

Oh my gosh..never thought of that??!! Thanks for another great tip!! :p

Great tips here for a technique I love. Subbing.