Paper piecing question
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Fennville, Michigan
Posts: 138
Paper piecing question
I was wondering if I can use copy paper when paper piecing? If so, what size needle and stitch setting do I need to set on my sewing machine? Thank you
Craft
Craft
#2
Hi neighbor. Yes, you can use copy paper to print your pattern as long as it’s not any thicker than 20-lb. paper, which is the density of your typical copy paper. As far as needles go, I like to use a Size 90/14 Universal or sharps.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,194
You can use copy paper, but it's much stiffer/denser than newsprint (I buy a package of it to use in my printer). Use a shorter stitch length in either case (1.7 or 1.8) to make it easier to remove without ripping out the stitches.
#4
A lot of what I do is paper piecing. I always use cheap copy paper. It is thicker, I use a much shorter stitch length and when I am ready to remove it - I take a moistened Qtip (kind of on the wet side lol) and run it down the stitch line on the paper side. Wait for a minute or so - and that perforations from the needle into the paper will absorb the dampness and soften the paper. The paper come off easily then without and tugging or ripping.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,866
Another option you may want to consider is using freezer paper - you use an iron to make the paper adhere to fabric, fold the paper and sew *right next* to the fold, and at the end of the piecing you just peel the paper off. So absolutely no ripping of paper and possibly having some bits of paper stuck in the seam to deal with. Another benefit is that you can reuse the freezer paper about six times before it stops adhering to fabric, which is very nice if you are paper piecing the same block/unit many times
You can find more information about all the details of paper piecing by doing an internet search for: foundation piecing with freezer paper
There are a lot of videos and web sites that explain the process well.
You can find more information about all the details of paper piecing by doing an internet search for: foundation piecing with freezer paper
There are a lot of videos and web sites that explain the process well.
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,986
Do yourself a big favor and buy a water pen. The copy paper will magically pull out from the seams. I use this one as it has a hard tip not a brush. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEhQUiSiGEg
#8
Do yourself a big favor and buy a water pen. The copy paper will magically pull out from the seams. I use this one as it has a hard tip not a brush. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEhQUiSiGEg
#9
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,418
Another option you may want to consider is using freezer paper - you use an iron to make the paper adhere to fabric, fold the paper and sew *right next* to the fold, and at the end of the piecing you just peel the paper off. So absolutely no ripping of paper and possibly having some bits of paper stuck in the seam to deal with. Another benefit is that you can reuse the freezer paper about six times before it stops adhering to fabric, which is very nice if you are paper piecing the same block/unit many times
You can find more information about all the details of paper piecing by doing an internet search for: foundation piecing with freezer paper
There are a lot of videos and web sites that explain the process well.
You can find more information about all the details of paper piecing by doing an internet search for: foundation piecing with freezer paper
There are a lot of videos and web sites that explain the process well.