I use newsprint, but I don't use the printer. Since I make so many Mariner's Compass quilts, I need 8 or 16 copies of the patterns. I make 1 copy and layer & staple that many pieces of newsprint together. Unthread the machine and put in a dull needle (save your dull ones in a prescription bottle). Use the default setting for stitch length and stitch on every line. Don't forget to add your 1/4" seam allowance on the outside edge. Do this by setting your machine to your prefered way of getting a 1/4" seam and stitch with the edge of the presser foot on the outside line. It can feel a bit awkward at first - like you are sewing backwards, but it works, especially around those curves! Just curl your paper up to get it to fit in the harp space.

Remove the staples and number the pieces like the original pattern. I prefer the newsprint in the BIG pads, but am settling for the roll ends from the newspaper. They sell them here really cheap! Bonus is that you have a large sheet of paper when you need one as the roll is 26" wide!

The best paper I ever used was cheap type writer paper but I can't find it anymore. The next best thing is the greyish newspaper paper like what is in little kids learn to write tablets. We called them Big Chief tablets but there are lots more brands that will work & are cheaper than the old Big Chief. I found a couple reams of it without the lines at a flea market so that is my current method. It is just like the Carol Doak paper which I had a sample of to compare against.

The paper from NCR forms is also fairly thin. You are looking for the thinnest paper you can get that will still fit through a printer. It will jam more than regular paper so I always use the manual feed tray and feed it one sheet at a time to force it to go slower. I use lazer printers, though. For inkjets, you might not have that option.

I have used plain old cheap copy paper lots of times also. My trick to working with it is to pre-crease all the sewing lines. It weakens the fibers & makes it easier to sew through & remove. I tried spritzing with water & ended up with a mess. I was having trouble seeing the lines on the reverse side to place the fabric so started creasing them and discovered the creasing had an unexpected bonus side effect.

I have problems with it at times. Depends which printer I use.

I took Brenda Henning's advice, and just use plain printer paper. It works fine for me. I set my stitch length at 1.5, and it tears very easily. And it's cheap. Saves money for other things. Like fabric! :lol: :lol:

cheap paper,you don't want GOOD paper for this! I also save the fake CREDIT CARDS that come in the mail and use them as a mini ruler to tear against ,if I'm having a problem w/the paper.they are very portable.

I just use plain old copy paper from Walmart. The one that $2.97 a ream. It works fine for me. That's what I first learned on and I like it. I've used Carol's paper when I took a workshop from her and then I went back to the 20lb copy paper. I like it's stability better. Each to their own but I don't think the difference in price is worth it.

I found a non-woven foundation for paper piecing made by June Tailor that you don't have to remove. It goes through both my lazer and ink jet printers just fine. I will remove the outside 1/4" seam allowance around each block to reduce the bulk when I sew the blocks together, but I don't remove the inner sections.

It comes 25 sheets to a package, and I originally found it at Walmart, but JoAnn's carries it too, so if I have a 40% or 50% coupon and don't really need anything else, I pick up a package.

When I spritz my paper for stubborn removing, I've already removed the bulk and just have little sections left. At that point I'm down to tweezers anyway because the areas are always those pesky tiny spots. The water weakens the paper and doesn't pull at the seams.

I am unfamiliar with the folding the paper to see the seamline. I always stitch with the printed side facing me so I never have had this issue. Am I missing something? Maybe I just haven't tried anything very complex yet? Clue me in guys.

Haven't done any PP for a while, but used to buy tablets of tracing paper from Walmart,Office Supply etc.It's all the same, but don't buy the $$$ stuff in the artists supply area.

When I was retiring, we had a big box of the triple printer paper with the carbon between the sheets and the holes on the edges...no obsolete in most places. They were going to throw it out, so I asked if I could have it. Works great for PP and goes through the printer easily. Of course, I have to remove the carbon and tear off the edges, but I've barely made a dent in the box.