I use the cheapest white rim paper (for computer printing) that they usually give away at office supply stores.

I just use the cheapest copy paper I can buy, shorten my stitch length and haven't had any problems.

When I am doing machine applique and need something on the back, I just put 8 1/2 x 11 ordinary typing paper. Jim brought home a bunch from work that they were throwing away. I do not know if this is too thick, but you could give it a try.

thank you eparys/Betty
I just ordered some

I still have some foundation paper ordered from MSQC for a project UFO. But I've found it is similar to tissue paper for gift wrapping. Most sheets are 20x20". So you can get 4/ 10" pieces or cut to your specs. They work for me. Also the phone book papers. Most of our phone books are older and I just haven't gotten rid of them. DH likes to use them for different projects also.

I also use newsprint. It's cheap and tears away easily. I got mine from amazon.com. I don't remember the brand but it was the one with the best reviews, if that helps any. It's softer than copy paper, so I feel it must be less dulling, to my needles.

Phone book pages are used for foundation piecing not paper piecing. Paper piecing you need the pattern printed on the paper. Foundation/string piecing you don't need a pattern. I like MSQC foundation papers and buy them when they are the daily special. The new phone books we get here, the paper is certainly not like it use to be.

Deli wraps sold in 500 per box, two boxes in the package at Sam's Club are excellent for foundation piecing and one box will last probably a lifetime. And it's easy to get just one sheet at a time out of the box when needed, like tissue. Cheap too.

Will the deli paper go through a printer, or are you hand tracing your patterns?

The deli wraps are for foundation/string piecing not paper piecing.

I feed my newsprint sheets through my Printer, for paper piecing. Have had no problems with it, so far.