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Foundation/Paper Piecing

Foundation/Paper Piecing

Old 07-09-2009, 05:42 AM
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I'm working on a block for our County Fair Quilt Block Contest and decided on one that is Paper Pieced. I did a test block using a product I found at JoAnn's (Perfect Piecing) but it was hard to tear out when I finished, and I'm afraid the tearing might have stretched the block out of shape. What do you use as the "foundation" when you use this method? Thanks for your input!
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Old 07-09-2009, 05:57 AM
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There are a lot of discussions on this subject. I think the ones I have read say the newsprint the kids draw on is the best for tearing away. Do a search on foundation paper or just paper and I know you will find tons of opinions.
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Old 07-09-2009, 06:10 AM
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Be sure to use a very tiny stitch, that's important no matter what tear away you use. I use my seam ripper along the seam lines to remove stubborn paper, it just cuts right off. I use Golden Threads paper when I hand trace a paper piecing pattern and cheap newsprint tablet paper when I print the pattern. It helps a lot to take opposite corners of the block and pull taunt but not tight, that gets the paper torn from the seams.
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Old 07-09-2009, 06:32 AM
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I use Carol Doak's Foundation Paper and I set the stitch length at 1.8 on my Bernina sewing machine. Your stitch length should be very short for paper piecing.
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Old 07-09-2009, 08:19 AM
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and when you tear out the paper, you should put your thumb or other finger on the stitches and tear the paper next to your finger, moving your finger down as you tear. that helps stabilize the stitching. good luck
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Old 07-09-2009, 08:36 AM
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A friend bought a 2-pack of Dixie's Kabnet Wax (used for deli food) from Costco and gave me one box. She said it was so cheap she wouldn't even tell me the price. So now I have a box of 500 sheets of 10" x 10.75" "heavyweight premium dry wax paper" that would take a lifetime to use up. I use an old rotary blade to cut it down to 8.5" and it goes through the printer very well and tears away from the stitching easily.
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Old 07-09-2009, 09:30 AM
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i prefer vellum paper when i paper piece.
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Old 07-09-2009, 11:30 AM
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I tried a paper piecing technique I found with freezer paper, and there is no tearing, therefore,, no ripped stitches.

Here is a link:

http://www.twiddletails.com/store/in...age=page&id=21

I tried it and it worked great. I will never tear paper again.

Maria
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Old 07-09-2009, 02:07 PM
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Thanks Maria for the link. I thinks this will be a much easier way and lots less messy!
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Old 07-09-2009, 03:10 PM
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Thanks Maria. I may give the freezer paper technique a test run. That sounds like a good way to keep from having to spend time tearing. I appreciate everyone's suggestions! Thanks so much!
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