English paper piecing question
 

OK, ladies and gents, I need your expertise on English paper piecing.

I have seen some tutes where, instead of stitching down the edges of the paper piece, you use washable glue to fasten down the edges around the paper piece. My question is, how do you remove the paper when it is time to do so?

Thanks in advance for your wonderful advice.

You have two options:

1. If you choose glue, you have to moisten the fabric with water (spray or damp cloth) so that the paper will release.

2. A better way is to cut your foundations from freezer paper. Place the shiny side up and iron the edges down. The freezer paper peels off and can be used multiple times.

Thank you for your answer. The freezer paper is a great idea but I inherited a good amount of paper pieces in various sizes and shapes and would like to use them. I'm assuming I only glue down and don't use heat to set it?
I already have done about 50 rosettes with thread and thought there has to be a quicker and easier way for these old fingers to get this done!

I haven't had a problem getting the paper off, when I was done with the sewing. I never wet it, the fabric just came right up off the paper. It doesn't ruin the paper either, I used the pieces over and over.

I assume you are doing hexagons or similiar.if your use paper pieces of even card mark and press seams take card off and put glue inside and press to set. The glue must be school washable glue so that it will spritz out with the water. You should tack down the edges before joining shapes.

if you want to only glue -use only the glue as described --sew the sections together before
taking the papers out water spray will help them out

I iron the edges down, pull the papers out then pin quickly. I try to do quite a few at a time. Same with yo yos.

I am working on a GFG now and stitching the paper to the hexie is so easy, and easy to remove the paper. I would think that using glue would make the process more difficult. I take 1 stitch in each corner of the hexie and overlap at the end by 1 stitch. It holds and is easy to remove.

Quilter1, that is how I do it now but was wondering if the glue would make things easier with the smaller pieces such as the 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch hexies and/or diamonds. Sounds like I should just stick to my needle and thread. Although I think I will try a few with the glue and see how it goes with me.

i think i need to try this method!

I use to use paper to make hexagons and always has trouble with the paper removal. I started using the fabric pre cut in hex shape and stitching the hexes together using a 1/4" seam pressed open. No whipsitching needed, the joined hexes lay completely flat. Inklingo is excellent for quilters that need to make a lot of hexes of any size.

It only takes a dot of glue to hold the paper in place. Don't over do it. Make it fun and please show us your progress.
peace

I recently picked up a new pattern using grandmother's flower garden blocks- the designer recommends using starch---she cuts her hex's- puts starch in a cap, she lays the paper piece in the center of the fabric- using a q-tip she *paints* starch around the paper- along the edge of the fabric- then using the iron folds the fabric over the paper- pressing into place. the starch holds a nice 'crisp' folded edge- she then removes the papers & stitches her hex's together- I (tried) it and kind of decided although it worked fine I felt I could stitch them faster- so went back to my 'old' method.

I havn't either. By the time I get back to them, they have sat for long enough that the papers just pop out. I also try to get the glue on the paper and not so much on the fabric. This tip helps a lot.

I'm working on my 4th EPP quilt. I have purchased all of my shapes from paperpieces.com. I don't use any glue when I do mine. I baste the fabric to all of the pieces I need for one block at a time. After you whip stitch them together you can trim the basting stitches and remove the papers from any of the pieces that are attached to other pieces on all sides. If you glue them, you will probably not be able to re-use them. In that case you will need a lot more pieces. EPP is a great project to take along with you. I've worked on them in the car, on an airplane and while on a few cruises. Very tedious work, but I do likethefinal product.