I do have a question ... I am using the Connecting Threads tracing paper that you needle punch the design onto several layers, then you sew each layer design to an area of your quilt. Once it's quilted you have to tear away all the tracing paper. There are still little stubborn bits caught up in the stitches. Any good ideas how to remove those? Or do I have to wait until I wash the quilt when it is done?

I would appreciate ANY help any of you can give me!

Thanks!

tweezers will help to pull those out even though it's kind of tedious.

Will it come out in the wash too do you think? There are so many of them!!! :cry:

tear off what you can, of course.

keep in mind that washing is likely to fluff up your batting and, therefore, tighten the stitches. soooooooooo ...

BEFORE you wash it, moisten what's left with water from a spray bottle. go over it with a hairbrush that has stiffish and dense - yet gentle - bristles.

AFTER you wash it and BEFORE the paper dries, brush it again. anything left after that will have to be tweezed. it'll be easier to get out while the paper is moist.

Thanks so much Patrice!!!

Have you tried a clothes roller with the adhesive paper?

That might be a good idea too! I'll have to pick one up the next time I'm passing by a dollar store. Thanks for the suggestion!

ummmm ... there's a reason i didn't suggest that. guess who tried it when she had a baZILLION itty bitty bits of paper to pick off a quilt. :lol:

it'll remove the loose bits, but won't help get those stubborn boogers clinging to the stitches.

Aggi...try an eraser, I have a fabric one that is quite soft, its great for removing the little bits of thread after ripping out seams too :roll:

An eraser??? A fabric eraser?? I need to get out more. Never heard of it.

I bought it in the U.K. Its quite abit softer than a regular eraser, and you can rub out pencil marks..and it works!!! But I also use it to rub out the little bits of thread after ripppppppppppppping out seams sometimes :D

HMMM, I wonder if one of those art erasers -- kinda like putty that you "stretch away" the erasures and it's clean again. Sorry that's the best I can do with the description. :oops: :lol:

Aggi, I find that I don't have all that many if I tear it out slowly. I haven't used the same brand that you are using though. I use the stuff that you buy at art supply stores for architects/interior designers..called velumn paper.

I use cheap typing paper for my piecing and when I'm ready to tear it off, I try to give it a fold next to the stiches. Seems to work pretty good. Not too many little pieces get stuck.

With your suggestions I found I tear the paper slowly, then using my blue with white polka dot little tweezers from Avon, I take out the little stubborn pieces. After that I used clear packing tape, enough to wrap around my index and middle finger and pat with the sticky side to remove all the pieces.. Works like a charm and its not that time consuming!! Trevor thinks I'm NUTS!! but hey thats normal for me!!

Thanks again for all your suggestions and advice!! I don't mind removing the pesky tracing bits now!!.. Now I just need to order another one of the fabulous tweezers from Avon to put back in my make up bag!! LOL