You can "trace" your design on the Golden Threads paper by sewing through your design without thread in the needle. Makes an easy to follow pattern and you can do several layers of paper at a time. I don't recall a big problem removing any paper pieces with this method, but it has been a while since I used this method and I didn't use a complicated design. I think I just pinned the papers in place. I now do FMQ or some ruler work on my DSM.