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.