Boy, do I feel dumb!
 

I just came back from a quilt show and bought a bunch a quilt blocks that were strip sewn on a foundation of paper (cut from telephone book pages).

I didn't realize the foundation was paper when I bought them. (DUH!) I had planned to make a quilt from the blocks but with the paper on the back, will I be able to wash it? I'm not sure what to do.

You very carefully remove the paper. Then sew all the blocks together.

Oh, and welcome to the board from Southern California!!!

You are not dumb, you just learned somthing new. Yes I said above, you tear the paper carefully off the back and happy sewing!!

LOL! Now I really feel silly! Of course, how simple!

Thank you both so much! As I work on this quilt, I will think of you both fondly. For the welcome and the encouragement. :)

get somthing rounded [end of a pen] and run it down each sewing line [on a padded surface] the paper will come away more easily--i did not believe it until i saw the difference

You can also use the wrong side of a seam ripper to run down the seams. It makes removing the paper much easier. welcome to QB from Georgia!

You can leave the paper in until you sew the surrounding blocks and then remove it. This will prevent any bias edges from stretching. You don't have to leave it in beyond that. I, too, use the wrong edge of a seam ripper. It's easy to take out and perfect for when you are watching tv or just sitting down to have a break.

Paper is easy to remove. Use a small drywall spatula (I use mine in wallpapering and wall repair) - available in any paint dept. The edge is great for placing against the seam and then just simply remove the paper. Works great. No paper scraps left. I use this method in my own foundation piecing all the time.

Never would have thought of that. :) Isn't it amazing the things we quilters come up with !

I'm sure you will love it when finished. I would leave the paper in until all the seams are finished then tear it out with the above methods. Any paper left will disappear when it is washed.

Agree with leaving the paper in place till the squares are sewn together.
**Never would have thought of using pages from a telephone book. Great idea. Although, I live in a small rural town and our phone book measures 9 1/2 x 6 1/2. They best be small blocks. :eek:

Sew the blocks together with the paper on it. Use thight stiches 1.2. After the top is done take the paper off carefully. It helps to fold it on the lines before trying to remove the paper. I also use a little tweezer for tiny pieces that are stuck.

I will need to try some of the tips offered in previous posts for removing the paper. Remember to set your stitch setting to very small stitches.

Don't we all live and learn? Thanks for the tips.

It'll work best if you sew the whole top together before removing the paper. That way, you won't have to worry about pulling stitches loose.

the only tip I have is to mention that this would be great to do in front of the TV. Mainly because it gets boring after a while!

All that bother....just wash the finished quilt and the paper will dissolve away into the batting....I have made many quilts this way and there is no problem. I just made a spiderweb with tissue paper. Yes it was a bit noisy when quilting but now that is is washed you cannot tell I left the paper in. If you are worried about the ink it dries and is then non transferable, if you are still worried, run a hot iron over it and it that will also dry it. My DMIL taught me this back in 1964 when she taught me to quilt and many scrap quilts have been done this way ever since. Too much fuss and muss for me to worry about the paper.

Telephone book pages! I would worry the ink would come off on the fabric.

Welcome to the board. You will find lots of helpful people here. I have learned so much from the members. I still consider myself a beginner, but I'm getting better with practice.

I never thought of using a drywall spatula to remove paper from foundation pieced blocks. Next time I am at Lowe's, I'm going to pick on up. We all learn a lot from each other.

Another method is to use a moist "Q" tip to run down the seam. Makes the paper soft and won't rip the seams, although phone book paper is soooo thin.

Good luck and welcome from Missouri.

welcome from Idaho

Welcome from Oregon!

Yes, this does work. And another thing is to mist the paper with water and let it sit a few seconds; then pull the paper off. Let the pieces lie flat until dry.. Keeping the whole thing together until the blocks have been put together would probably be the best way to go.

YES! Don't remove it until you sew the blocks together. Otherwise your bias edges will be a nightmare!