I've tried printer paper, as well as tracing paper, and I find that tracing paper works best for me. I print the pattern on printer paper (so that I'll have a hardcopy for in the future) and lay the tracing paper over it. There is less paper waste that way.

It is also MUCH cheaper when you calculate all the paper you save in the long run.

I bought an 18-inch wide, 50 yard (150 foot) long roll of white tracing paper on Amazon for $17.50 with free shipping on Amazon Prime.

I use copy paper all the time, but never thought about the q-tip trick. What a great idea! I am working on a snail's trail now and I will be sure to try that when it comes time to de-paper my quilt! Thanks so much for sharing all of your wonderful ideas!

I have used newspaper, need to iron it first to set the ink. also used onion skin have to trace the designs byt it tears okay too. On the newspaper I used 4inch blocks-- two plain--- two print-- put them diagonal on a 20 square piece of newspaper, then strip quilt around them to the edge. whatever print I used in the blocks was the print I used on the back. Made a ruffle out of the same and quilted in the ditch. More like a big comforter.

Love your avatar

I get free end rolls of unprinted newspaper from my local paper.

For me carol Doak's paper is the best.

I have managed to get a few blocks done and am quite happy with the results, the printer paper, is ripping well with the small stitching. I have so much printer paper, this is good to use some of it up. If I can figure how to put up a picture eventually, I will. Thanks again.

I use the cheapest printer paper and the economy setting.

Hi music mom. Paper piecing is a method where you print a numbered pattern on paper. The numbers tell you which part to sew on first (well actually you don't sew the first part, but the second). Once done, you tear the paper off. For me it is fool proof.

How I do mine. I print an extra copy. I flip all copies over to the reverse side. I cut out the parts on first copy (which is also flipped over) and roughly cut and stack my fabric from numbers 1 through 6, or however many there are. I place my fabric on the underside, pin long edges so they don't flip up and get caught, then sew from the printed side rather than tracing. You sew with short stitches in order to perforate paper for easier removal. Make sure you leave seam allowance over the lines. With each line I sew, I then turn the paper back on the fold and use ruler and cutter to trim excess seams. Then I put the paper back, set seam, then press the direction of the seam.

I use it and get the cheapest copy paper I can find. The lighter the weight, the less lbs I think. If you have trouble ripping it off, just get a sponge or small paint brush and brush the seams with water. It will make the paper a little soggy and it comes right off.