So I started a foundation-pieced quilt for a friend's baby back in 1995 or 1996. She had a boy when a girl had been expected, so I never finished the pink, purple, and floral quilt top. But I'm chipping away at my UFOs, so I'm joining the blocks. AAAARRGGH! I used typing paper and removing it is a major pain and pulls on the stitches. But many people LOVE foundation piecing, so what are they using that tears away more easily without disturbing the stitches? I don't want to use muslin, since it makes it harder to quilt through, ay least by hand.

I buy the thin tracing paper at Wal Mart. It is bigger than 8x11 so I have to cut it to size to go into my printer. However, you can cut quite a few sheets at once. It is easy to see through and tears off easily if you shorten your stitch length a little.

I use 25% rag vellum. Office Depot carries it as do some paper stores.

Since you already have the blocks on typing paper, wet it with a spray of water, let it sit awhile, then it will tear off easier.

ali

I use the packs of scribble pads from the Dollar Store. Tears off a lot easier than typing paper and less cost too.

Thx, esp to Alikat. What's funny is that I did this so long ago that when you said I could print blocks from my computer I thought, huh? For a second.

I use cheap copy paper and make small stitches- run your finger nail over it - and rips right out :thumbup:

maybe make your stitches smaller ?

I have a roll of sewing pattern tracing paper I use when not using freezer paper (which I fold along the lines, not sew through).Just trace /print your pattern once, make a pile of the necessary number of cut paper pieces -pattern repeats- and sew through without thread to mark the lines in your pattern. Mark the numbers on each as in your original/traced pattern. You're ready to sew, comes off easy.

recycled plain newsprint!

BUT it is not just the paper..

use a finer needle and thread..
I use a microtex 70 needle and a 50 or 60 weight thread! REally make a world of difference,, even if I forget to change the paper in the printer and use reg. paper!

I use regular typing paper. BUT - use a smaller than normal stitch length, BACKSTITCH at the beginning and end, and run the blunt end of your seam ripper or some other instrument along the stitching line before you try to rip the paper off.

I also use a very small stitch and you can also, if your fabric is okay to get wet, run a damp sponge along the stitching line before pulling it off. It helps.