Old patterns
 

I want to make a string pieced quilt like Bonnie Hunter however I don't keep phone books and there are none in my husband's office. He asked why I could't use old paper patterns that I could find at the thrift store. Has anyone tried this?

Sounds like they would be perfect.

I would just go to the local office supply chain store and buy the cheapest computer paper they have. That is what I use. You can also us lightweight non fusible interfacing or muslin.

This is what I use for string quilts.

Ask on Freecycle for old phone books, catalogs, and the like. Most of those used the same type of paper

Old news papers were used in the old days, I saw my DGM and DM use them on scrap quilts and paper piecing. I have used dryer sheets and coffee filters.

Another resource is White tissue paper, very inexpensive and if you have any notebook paper like kids use for school. Ask a neighbor if they have any old phone books they don't want.

I bought a ream of newsprint at a school supply store. Works great for string piecing and I've also used it as a stabilizer when doing applique. Tears away easily.

I think people get carried away with using old paper when foundation piecing. I use to. All I accomplished was a box full of discarded paper waiting for me to use. LOL. I keep a box of these on my shelf. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/dixie-q...0-ct/160304.ip

I use notebook paper that I buy cheap when the school stuff gets marked down, also any type of printer paper works, they mark the seasonal ones of those down after the holidays too....I imagine any kind will work.

I went to the local newspaper office and asked for an end roll of newsprint paper. This is what's left on a roll when they have to change the paper out on the printing machines. There is quite a lot of paper left on the roll, but not enough for the printing. But its plenty for my needs. I just cut whatever size I need. It's lightweight for string piecing and comes off easily.

I'm told that the end rolls are usually sold for about 25 cents each, but when I told the clerk that I was going to use the paper to make quilts, she said, "Well then, no charge." and gave me six rolls!

This is what I did, too. Got my roll for free. There is at least an inch thick of paper still on the roll, I figure that will last me until I die! Took it to a scout meeting where the boys used it to make about 150 disposable kitty litter boxes for the Humane Society. I also cut large sections off, wad them up, stuff them in the voids of boxes I ship - worked great at Christmas time. Makes great paper for the kids to make paper crafts, draw, color, & paint on, keeps them busy during the summer. Oh, and I do use it for foundation piecing, also. :D

Or you can just call the phone company and ask them for a phone book. They're generally free if they're for your location.

you can use old newspaper too. Just with anything printed on, make sure it's a few months old so the ink doesn't transfer to your fabric when you press.
I'm using old copy paper right now but I don't like taking it off much, it is pretty thick compared to tissue or phone/news/catalog paper.

Use some of your old magazines...

I don't use paper. Instead I use old fabric.....curtains, sheets, clothes, poly/cotton fabric that is thin. I have a box full of cut 11'' x 11'' squares to use for string piecing. I like this better than paper because I can leave it on the block.

You can use dryer sheets if you don't mind a kind of rectangle and you can use paper towels, too.

Susan

I used an old pad of the kids drawing paper that had turned yellow. Didn't like picking all that paper off the back. This time I'm using old fabrics. No picking this time.

I use the 10 inch paper piecing from missouri quilts there are 250 approx. Nice texture and already sized.

Old patterns would be the perfect thickness...and a husband thought of this??? You've got a keeper!!!

I go to the Dollar Store and use the drawing tablets that they sell. The cheaper the paper the better.

I go to our local newpaper office. They put end of roll unprinted newspaper rolls on the back loading dock for anyone to take for free. Have used for piecing, tablecloth covers and oversize patterns. Usually about 20-30 feet left on rolls and no worry with ink.

That should work fine

Bet you could find those sandwich wraps at Smart and Final too.

Every year my post office has stacks of phone books no one wants, try there too. If it is something you don't mind spending a bit of money on, the Golden Threads paper comes on a roll and is ideal for tearing away.

***
*** Old patterns sounds like a good Green way to go.
*** Usually on 25 cents.
*** Save a tree.
***

I've used the cheap multipurpose paper from the office supply stores. Easy to use, works great. In the old days, they didn't have this (or much money) and so used old phone books. I think the cheap paper works just as well. You could probably even buy some cheap notebook paper or coloring books from the dollar store.

The advantage of using cheap paper is that you don't have to worry about the print rubbing off on your fabric.

I get plain white tissue from the dollar tree. I can tear it to size or even a bit over size. You do not need to tear it out after stitching. I have made many string quilts this way. I go ahead and piece and then machine quilt the sandwich and when I wash it as the final step the paper just melts into the batting and you will never know it was even there. It is great for spider web string quilt block as I cut it into the triangle size I need and go for it.

I just finished using cheap copy paper to sew a floral quilting pattern on the quilt I'm working on. I made line drawings of the leaves, vine and flowers, made copies, pinned the copies to the fabric and sewed thru the lines on the paper. I don't know if others have tried it or not. I'm not good enough to do a design like that freehand even though I kept it simple. IMO copy paper is too thick. I spent a lot of time with tweezers getting little bits of it out from under the stitches. It's also thick enough that the stitches seem a little loose once it's removed. I'm hoping it all tightens up when the quilt is done and I wash it before sending it out.

You may not have all the same issues I did if you're piecing but thinner would still be better.
Rodney

I have always heard adding machine paper recommended. Last week, I was in Wausau and had to see what they had in "Again and Again" in downtown Wausau. There was a box with twenty-four or more rolls, three to a stack in the original wrap. Anyone in the Wausau area looking for adding machine paper might have a look.

I've heard of old patterns being used and I don't see why they couldn't! I've never tried this but plan to someday....

I use deli sandwich paper (15x15 approx0 purchased at a big box store. I cut it to paper size and it runs through my printer easily, but I only feed one page at a time.

yes they old pattern paper works great to sew on

I was at Walmart today and saw reams of notebook paper on sale for 82 cents. It's thin enough to use for string piecing.

Lots of ideas on this board. Love it!

These are really nice. I bought a package when it was a daily deal.

I used the pages from the free Auto and RV books found in stands/boxes at the restaurants ...........Calla

Great idea! Bet I could get those at Costco or Sams

I go to my local Newspaper and get end rolls of Paper. that paper removes very nicely