I take out my papers after the whole piece has been surrounded. on my hexes 3/4" ones, I put green stepping stones between the flowers. then appliqued them to the pre cut borders I made about 4" wide. then finished like a regular quilt.as soon as all 6 sides have been sewn to the next piece, the papers come out. I use a Fiskers punch of a 3/4" hex, they also have a 1"hex. I like shiny junk mail or manila foldres for my papers.