Paper piecing help please
 

Help!

I was told you could paper piece using Freezer Paper. Just iron the fabric to the Freezer Paper and fold as you go along so you don't have to tear the paper off when you're finished. So I did it.

But now how do I get the Freezer Paper off without it tearing the fabric edges? Just pulling practically shreds the edges of the fabric.

Thanks.

Well, I think freezer paper is a bit heavy for paper piecing, that's why I now use tracing paper or just computer paper. However when I was using freezer paper, I put a used card on the stitching line and tore the paper against that. I'd guess that an old fashioned ruler with a sharp edge would work too. There are several companies that produce paper meant for paper piecing. In any case, keep a pair of tweezers handy to pick out the bits that don't tear away so easy.

i use the fold back method for my paper piecing. but i use copy paper. if i feel the piece is getting too big to stay in it's proper place, i just put a dab of washable glue stick on the paper to keep the fabrics from shifting. HTH

I never heard of using freezer paper. I buy paper labeled "Carol Doak's" for PP> Just the right weight.

I use copy/computer. Have never used freezer paper. The Carol Doak paper is wonderful, but pricey (in my opinion).

I like Golden Threads paper, it comes on a roll not too expensive and is a good weight for paper piecing. It tears away fairly easily.

I have just started doing pp'ing, and this is what I use, but since all my glue sticks have dried up, I've been using those tiny applique pins to secure the fabrics onto the paper.

I have always use the CHEAP computer paper that sometimes your given for free at the major office supply store. I usually am able to finger press and pin while stitching. I do have freezer paper but I use it for other applications such as applique, not paper piecing since there are better products out there to use for PP.

I use the "Doodle Pad" from the dollar store. It tears fine. I think freezer paper has too much structure to use for paper piecing. I think it is used for patterns more than piecing.

Everyone is confusing Freezer PP with regular. you do not stitch through the paper with Freezer paper, you fold it back and stitch next to the fold. The beauty of the FPP method is not tearing and you can reuse the patter piece multiple times. Here is a link to FPP with pictures so those of you who comment that you use cheap computer paper, Carol Doaks, kids scribble pads can understand the difference.. http://www.twiddletails.com/store/in...age=page&id=21.

Regarding the OP's issue of fabric fraying when you pull away the paper. I have never had that happen more than a few threads. Try hitting it with your iron again before peeling. That should remelt the waxy coating enough to get it to release easily but you may sacrifice the amount of times you can reuse your pattern piece.

Here's the link to the method I found years ago! Really easy! I usually do a basting stitch in the first piece to keep it in place.

http://www.twiddletails.com/store/in...age=page&id=21

This was a great tutorial! Thank you. I've wanted to learn to paper piece but have not been excited about the tearing away process. This might be my answer. Thanks for sharing!!!

Remember-Shorten the stitch when paper piecing. It makes it easier to remove the paper.

Thank you so much for clarifying the difference and posting the link, thanks too Kitsie. I have done paper piecing but have not heard of this method. I will give it a try.

I've done paper piecing with freezer paper, "paper piecing" paper from Renae Merrill, and computer paper but I found that I LOVE using newsprint. I cut it to 8 1/2 x 11 and it goes through the printer great!! Tears away with no problem and no damage to my project. Go to your local newspaper and you can buy "end rolls" of newsprint that you then cut to size. My newspaper charges $2.00 per end roll and I don't think I'll live long enough to use even one "end roll" up.

I use the scribble pad paper from the Dollar Tree. It has to be trimmed before placing a stack in my printer because it comes in 9x12 sheets @ 40 sheets for $1.00, which is very cheap compared to actual PP paper. Scribble pads also come in a larger size as well, if you have a wide carriage printer.

I copy my pattern onto lightweight non-fusible interfacing and then I don't have to rip out anything

If you use freezer or regular copy paper, prestitch it with a small stitch before you iron it on then take a pin and start in middle of area and tear from the center out to prevent spoiling edges

I just saw a tutorial about "no tear" paper piecing which uses freezer paper. Can't remember the exact name of the tutorial, but it should be easy to locate. I haven't tried it, but it looked like an easier way to paper piece without tearing off all the paper when completed.

I started out using regular paper for printing in my printer. Then switched to tracing paper for hand drawn patterns for PP. Now I only use freezer paper, which I can send thru my printer one page at a time. I order it from www.cjenkinscompany.com. It comes 50 sheets/package. Since I can use one pattern multiple times (up to 7 or 8), I usually need to only print one copy. Cut off extra paper around the pattern, leaving 3/8 - 1/2" beyond the outer edge of the block. I fold back each line on the pattern, over a postcard, before I do anything else. Then iron the pattern a couple times to my pressing surface. This lets some lint and small threads stick to the back, which is what you want. It makes the freezer paper to not adhere so hard to the fabric of your block. Pressing it will not take away your fold lines, they will still be there. Then iron your first piece of fabric , with the wrong side to the freezer paper to your pattern. I lay the fabric down, wrong side up, fold back the pattern on the first line, lay the pattern on the fabric so the folded line is parallel with the grain line, open out the paper and press the #1 section to the fabric. Take it back to your cutting mat, fold back the pattern on the first line between shapes #1 & 2 and trim off the seam allowance, leaving 1/4 or 1/8" sticking out beyond the fold. Using an Add-A-Quarter or Add-An-Eighth ruler is very helpful for this step. Then line up your next fabric underneath w/ raw edges even, sew right next to the folded back freezer paper, with the needle going in right next to the fold. Iron once to set the seam, being careful to not hit the shiny side w/ your iron. Open the fabric at the seam and press again on the right side to open out that seam and adhere the new fabric section to the freezer paper. Fold back on the next sewing line, trim seam allowance, add next fabric section, sew and repeat. When all sections have been added, trim off the outside edges, making sure to leave seam allowance on all sides. When your block is complete, it's time to carefully peel off the freezer paper. I generally try to go at a diagonal across the block. Going one way vs another will cause less threads to ravel off the seam allowances. Here is where you will have some real trouble, if you did not iron your paper to your pressing surface, at the beginning. It will stick so tightly to the fabric, you won't be able to get them apart. There are videos on you tube showing this method of PP w/ freezer paper. I make PP patterns with many small to tiny sections and ripping off the paper was a real pain and time waster. One hour to remove paper on a 6" block - "No thanks".

Thanks Ladies for all of your help. Next time I'll iron the freezer paper to my ironing board a couple of times before I attach it to my fabric.

I did peel it off very slowly, and carefully. Finally managed.

Here is my small quilt. It's a design called Woven Stars Quilt free from www.andoverfabrics.com

Joan

Manila paper---sometimes called newsprint, I think--- works well for me. It's cheap and easy to get off. You can find it (look for a pad of kid's drawing paper) at WalMart, Target, grocery stores, etc and I buy the big size (18" x 24") at the local teacher's store. I sometimes enlarge PP designs and this size of paper is great for those.

I use vellum - it will go through my printer, is see through, and tears easily. I buy a pad of it at the office supply store and cut the large sheets in half so that they are 81/2 by 11. This works great!

That's what I was thinking I read before. Someone on this board recommended thin non-fusible interfacing. Print your block on it, and you don't have to tear it away when you're done. You press it to freezer paper to get it to go through the printer.

I"ve used the Sulky paper for paper piecing. It works great but is pricey. Cheap multipurpose computer paper works fine. The cheap stuff is lighter weight and easier to pull off after you're done.

Looking at this site confirms to me that I will NEVER be smart enough to do ever attempt EPP! :p

Love the quilt!!!!!

Some folks use telephone book pages. If you have access to the paper used in doctor's offices to cover the exam table or blank newsprint they work well. Also the white sheets provided by movers for wrapping breakables works well. Probably best if not used for wrapping before. It does help with removal of any paper if one folds on all the lines "before" stitching.