World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of February 10, 1997:
Our question this week comes from Susan Tankersley
What is the best type of paper for paper piecing?
Patty Newcomb :
Freezer Paper
bsrdesign@acadia.net :
Cheap typing paper-lighter than the 20 # lb. used for photocopying. It's hard to find, though. I came across some at a local discount/salvage store; it was $1.39 per polywrapped package of 100 sheets, so I got about 10 packs!It's easy to see through and to tear away.The brand name on it is Norcom, based in Atlanta, GA. Erasable bond is also good but almost obsolete, thanks to word processors!
Edna Gregory :
I've used various "tear-away products, typing paper, newsprint, "onion skin", and now pattern tissue as in the McCall's "Big Blocks" patterns--they all work, each a bit differently. Probably the biggest difference is in tearing away the paper after the sewing is done.
Lisa Berezin aka quilt toxs :
I use plain old copy paper, darken the lines used for the pattern and use a close stitch when sewing. It's strong, see-through, and tears easily when done. It's affordable and readily available.
L. Grindle :
I have used freezer paper with good results
It tears easy. If you choose you can iron it
on an it works like fusible interfacing
but you can rip it off when your done.
Sue Smith :
I usually use wrapping tissue paper and it pulls off quite nicely, but a good alternative is old patterns used for clothes; just watch out for the original lines.
alberta :
I use light weight woven interfacing-especially for small ornaments. It gives some extra body to the project. When doing my next project, I'm going to try fusible fleece. I hope to get a result very close to hand quilting. Has anyone else tried either of these products?
Maria :
I've used tracing paper thatI got at the drug store
It works great and to trace the pattern I just put like 10 sheets together and
go over the lines of the pattern with my sewing machine and of course no thread in the
needle.
Sharon Sauser - 75761.2707@compuserve.com :
"Second sheets" or "onion skin". They wrinkle going through some copy machines, but they go through my multi-purpose printer/scanner/copier just great, and are easy to tear away after stitching.
ScotFinn@aol :
The Foundation Piecer magazine has just started selling a very translucent paper piecing paper. It is available for $5 for 25 sheets from The Foundation Piecer;RFD# 1, Box 187M, Dept E; Newport, Va 24128.
Marian Cole, Burlington, Ontario Canada :
Has anyone heard of Stitch n'Ditch. I recently bought some and I've used it with the machine embroidery hoop as well as paper piecing. It tears away easy. A tip for even easier removal of paper..... take the dull edge of your ripper and pull it along the seam edge that you are ripping and presto - the papers gone.
Linda Rackley :
I have found that vellum paper (the kind I used in
drafting class) is excellent for paper piecing. If
you have quilting software you can print your
designs directly to the paper. It's great!
Maureen Grantham :
Greaseproof paper or if unobtainable, freezer paper.
Laura :
I find the Easy Tear brand
to be the best by far. You do need
to use small stitches and the
90/14 needle for the best results
Peggy :
It really doesn't make a lot of difference as long as you use a LARGE needle (90) and samll stitches
Jane Weier :
Newsprint (you can buy this paper in large pads at school supply &art stores
D. J. Eagles :
I like using tracing paper. It's great for copying the pattern on so the original stays in reusable shape. Tracing paper is also stiff enough to sew onto and tears off with great ease.
Diane Mettler :
I have used two kinds of paper. One is the good old standby, typewriter paper. The thin kind you can purchase in any store. I buy mine in Walgreens or KMart. My second choice is copier paper, but it is a lot heavier and when you are working with very small piecing it is more difficult to tear it away when you are finished.If you want to reach me just send email to DEEQUILTY@aol.com
Jo in Minnesota :
Probably the best is a see-through paper
such as tracing paper with enough heft to
stay together throughout the sewing process.
A not-so-bad paper is the cheapest ream of
white typing paper you can find at K-Mart,
which is thin-ish, cheesy, will go through
a copy machine or an ink-jet with a little
grace. Tears off easily and all in all,
is a good bargain!
HeidiNick :
Tracing Paper
Nancy Pieper :
I, too, like newsprint. I don't buy it, tho.
Our newspaper office (and I think most of them
do the same) will give the ends of rolls free
to subscribers. There is a LOT of paper on those
rolls! I use it for all kinds of things!
Barb :
I don't know either - I'll look for the answer here. I'm very new to paper piecing, and what I do know for sure is that 8"x11" photocopy paper is NOT ideal - it is difficult to rip away, and pulls at the seams.
Julia Bridgwater :
I prefer using old advertising brochures!
Jo :
For me, the best kind of paper is
newsprint. I made foundations using
the lined paper that my kids use to
practice the alphabet. It's available
in pads at K-mart/Walmart. Use a larger
needle in your sewing machine and a
smaller stitch. The foundations will
tear right off when you're ready to
remove them. Good luck.
Sarah Dunn (from Rodale Quilt Books) :
My friend and fellow editor Karen told me about using baking parchment (she can get it at her local grocery store; I have to go to a kitchen specialty store where I live). It's stable enought to hold its own, but it rips away REALLY easily. And it's less bulky, so your seams are more accurate and your thread isn't so high off your fabric when you're done.
Elizabeth Davis :
I like vellum the best, but where I live I have a hard time finding it. I like it because after stitching, it is easy to tear away.
Kim Nicholson :
I like to use fabric stabilizer. It's not so hard on the sewing machine needle as sewing thru paper.
Liz :
Freezer paper of course.
There is nothing else that keeps
the fabric out of your way while
you are putting on another piece.
I have used other papers but just
haven't been happy with them. Afterall
it is also very cheap and readily
available! If you haven't tryed it, you
just might like it!
Vicki St. Germaine, Yellowknife, NWT :
I keep a Hilroy Studio Tracing Tablet
(no.41-201) handy. It is light enough for tracing, and
tears off nicely after sewing, AND is
sturdy enough to go through the
photocopier for those times when I need
to make multiple blocks.
Marilyn M-B :
Drafting Vellum; I recycle left over plots from work.
Kathleen :
I find tissue paper works the best for me but heavier paper, like typing paper, may be better for a beginner.
Marianne Daly :
I use tissue paper that is used as gift wrap, and 16 lb. office paper, and Easy Piece Paper from Zippy Designs. I guess it's the best.
Philippa Yates :
I use old computer cards. (you know - from about 1974)
My husband just couldn't throw them out.
They are just the right weight.
chrysti protsch :
A product called stitch and tear. A friend clued me in that if you make copies on the machine they will not be completely square. Therefore depending on the use of the finished product, you may want to consider this tip. I must admit it is easier to photo copy, however.
Genea Burnaman :
I like freezer paper. A warm iron over the pattern piece helps keep it from stretching or moving.
K. Frye, WMbg VA :
FREEZER PAPER - REYONLDS OF COURSE!!:-)
Jackie :
I like to use wax paper and iron it on
because it adheres to the material better
and peels off easily when finished.
Judy Singleton :
Onion skin is excellent because it is so thin, but most copiers will not accept it.
Toni Williams :
I like tracing paper or the paper you get from Zippy Foundation Piecer.
A friend of mine from #quilttalk sent a sample from Zippy and I loved it!
Kerry Bowes :
Parchment paper is my paper of choice. It tolerates the ripping I inevitably end up doing, but still tears off of the finished block cleanly.
Bonnie Hensley (mbh535@aa.net) :
I really like using tracing paper, the heavier kind. I tape it at the top (with a small piece of tape) to a regular sheet of paper, then trim the excess so that the two sheets are the same size. It goes thru my laser printer just fine, and the tracing paper is thin so I can see thru it, and tears away very easily.
Deb Wical :
Typing Paper
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