Oooh! That's great to know - about the newsprint.
I don't see me cutting it down that's for sure - it isn't worth the time although I do have a paper cutter.....
I have a few different paper pieced projects that are on my before the end of the year to do list. We don't have a Dick Blick here but maybe I can score a pad of it at Hobby Lobby - or just cut down one of the newspaper stubs... we'll see.
The last time I did pp I used regular recycled copy paper and had no problems ripping it at all but I would prefer to use the *right* stuff lol - newsprint works for me.