does anyone have this product?

i have some that i use with the embroidery machine and i was thinking it might be nice to use for paper piecing.

if you have it what have you been using it for.

I use it for embroidery, but not with my emb machine. Sorry, I don't know about the paper piecing.

I always use it behind my machine applique when I'm finishing the edges...it sure makes them much nicer. I have not tried paper piecing yet, but it's on my to-do list of things to try. :) I imagine it's a good alternative to paper. There must be someone out there who has tried it!

(edited to specify machine applique)

I use it when I satin stitch around applique. I don't think it would work well for paper peicing because I think it might distort and stretch the stitches too much when you tear it away unless you use really tiny stitch setting on your machine.

Klue, have you ever tried freezer paper piecing? You don't stitch through the paper. You "sew" your pattern on the freezer paper with an unthreaded needle then once you start piecing you fold the freezer paper on the preferation and sew right next to the fold. Really good directions for this method can be found in Judy Mathieson's book "Mariner's Compass Quilts, Setting a New Course". When I read the directions I wasn't sure I would like this method as opposed to regular paper piecing but I loved it and can't wait to try it again. You can reuse the pattern pieces several times. I have gotten up to 8 out of one piece before it quits sticking to the fabric. The waxy coating on the freezer paper also really stabalizes the fabric so you get no distortion even when sewing on the bias.

FF

my problem with the freezer paper method is it doesn't help in any way for the stretch or distortion of the fabric or block.

the freezer paper method to me, is just regular piecing expect you have a guide to follow. i say, just dump the freezer paper and piece the project.

the whole point of the foundation is to provide stabilization to bias and/or very unstable cuts and to allow for working with pieces as small as 1/4 square.

I recently taught one of my friends to paper-piece, and she bought me a pack as a thank you. I haven't tried it yet, but I'll let you know how I like it when I do. If you decide to try it, please let me know how you like it.

I used to use tear-away for layered appliques. Right now I'm tring a paper pieced method if using the gridded fusible webbing as a base.

It was easy to trace the pattern on to, using fabric markers, and each section will be fused once it is in place, so it should be nore stable in the seams.

When it's time to embelish my crazy quilt blocks, just iron it down; the stabilizer is already there. I heard about this method from our former member, Cissy, and it makes sense. I am severely challenged when it comes to paper piecing, so anything that makes it easier for me is a boon.

i use gridded fusible web all the time much like you do. i also use it to do applique too.

its great for bargello quilts also.

i buy it by the bolt from joanns with a coupon.

At the Paducah Quilt show, I bought a roll of "Wash Away Tear Away" which a friend of mine says she uses all the time. It's great for applique as well as embroidery and I think it would work great for paper piecing as after the quilt is finished and washed, it would all be gone....

That's odd, I find the freezer paper, when ironed on to the fabric provides great stabilazation. The smallest unit in the block was 1/2" finished tapering up to 1/8" finished. As it was a point on a mariners compass I was sewing on a bias and got no distortion whatsover, with absolutely no pinning.

The Stitch and Tear is non-woven. It doesn't really stretch. I usually guide it with my fingernail as I'm tearing away. I've never noticed any distortion. I it wouln't hurt to try a sample piece and see how it handles. :)

but don't you think you could have achieved all of that without the freezer paper, you're only using it as a guide for your seam line. if you can sew a straight 1/4 inch seams you could have done the same thing.

i've never pin fabric when sewing, paper piece or otherwise.

if you're following the method i know you don't sew thru the freezer paper at all nor does the sew section stay attached to the paper.

so its providing zero support in the block - so anything that you can do by that method you can do without it just use a 1/4 foot on your machine to achieve accurate straight seams.

I am beginning to think we are discussing different methods. When piece 2 is sewn to piece 1 and pressed open I then open and press the freezer paper foundation pattern piece over piece 2 press to adhere and stabalize then fold back for seam 2 piece 3. Each progressive piece has the freezer paper foundation but it is simply held on by the waxy residue that makes it stick to fabrix when pressed. I found it gave as much foundation and stabilzation as traditional paper foundation piecing. By the time you are done with the block it looks just like a traditional paper pieced foundation unit/block only you don't have to tear the paper off at the seams it peels off to be used on the next unit.

I have just been to the mid-appalachian quilt weekend at Mount St. Mary's college in Emmitsburg, Md. One of the classes that I took suggest two for foundation piecing. One is EQ foundation paper ( you leave it in the quilt. It just adds to your batting. Felt very nice. The other is Stable Stuff. Not as 'soft', but you can also leave it in.