Paper Piecing Paper Question
 

Does anyone use plain printer paper for paper piecing? Never tried this and would like to. Thank you.

Yes, I have. I print block patterns and sew them just fine. just use a small stitch. when you tear your paper off, put a finger (thumb maybe) onto the seam and tear. moving your finger hold along as you tear. it helps stabilize.

newsprint paper works the best. I did block that has 76 pieces and the printer paper did not work well changed to newsprint or foundation paper and it worked fine.

i use the printer paper, but found that a pale blue color works better than the white. i have to say, though, that i use the fold-back method of paper piecing.

I've used lots of regular printer paper and it works okay. I also did two string quilts on newspaper and I thought it was actually harder to tear off because it tore easier but didn't tear cleanly along the stitching lines. I just bought two boxes of Gilbert Paper onionskin. It's really sturdy but tears off really easy. I did have to hand draw my blocks on the onionskin because it wouldn't go thru my printer. But that's not hard to do with a ruler and a fine point sharpie.

I did ONCE only in a small demo on paper piecing. Then I went to 25% rag vellum as it is easier on my needles and tears so well. Though medical exam table paper also works well, I don't have that source anymore.

ali

For the quilt in my avatar, I used vellum paper. It went through the printer just fine and was easy to tear. Not particularly cheap, but it worked well.

That is the ONLY paper I use. . . 20 lb. bond that I get by the ream at Costco. It works fine for me as long as my stitch is tiny. Then I recycle all the pieces I tear off.

I was cleaning out my fabric, ongoing job, have two totes of scraps, I debated on bagging them up and giving away, then the thought came to me of the spiderweb quilt, it does not need to go through the printer, I do not think. Am going to try just doing one block and see what happens, hopefully tonight. Thanks for your thoughts on this, appreciate it.

I've used both copier paper (standard 20 lb) and Carol Doak's paper. Honestly, I liked the copier paper better. Maybe I shortened my stich length on the copier and not the other - can't say. But copier paper and short stitch length = no problems.

I use plain paper all the time, use small stitches and when you are ready to take it out, use a q-tip slightly damp and run it along the seam, the paper will come apart and no stitches will be pulled.

I read on the quiltville site, a jean needle was suggested as the needle makes a bigger hole? I am still thinking shorter stitch would apply as well.

I use copy paper and short stitch. Works great.

I've used copy paper, unprinted newspaper, special paper-piecing paper (Carol Doak and June Tailor), and vellum. Vellum is my go-to paper; it's printable, tears easily, and most importantly, I can see through it.

I've also switched methods; instead of the puncture-and-tear method, I use the fold-and-sew method.

i use copy paper all the time--the cheaper it is the better it works!

I use walmarts copy paper, never had a problem.

I've always used the cheap printer paper - even when I got pre-printed patterns with a pattern. I just lay the "good" pattern onto the copier and make a bunch of copies and I'm ready to go.

I use it all the time. it is a little thicker so back stitch ( just a stitch or two) on the edges so when you tear the paper off it does not seperate the material. I love p/p and when you get use to it you will to. good luck and show your progress. we will all help you.
Dawn in Waco

I use copy paper with a short stitch. I've tried many others, but I like copy paper the best.

I use lightweight vellum more then any other. Not the scrapbooking vellum. I like the child scribble book paper made from newsprint but only for a few pieces on a block because it tears too easy when sewing a lot of pieces on one pattern. I have used the Carol Doak paper, and several brands of the pp paper. I won't use plain copy paper any more. Too thick and too much trouble getting paper out of the seams. Why make it frustrating to save a few dollars. I'll take the hassle free.

I have used regular copy paper. Someone said to use telephone book paper. I haven't tried that.

I've taken one paper piecing class and she used 20# copy paper and it worked fine.

I use copypaper to and sew small stitches.
I tear it of like a bandaid, makes the seams stay better in place.
And I never start at the beginning or end of the seam while tearing, always somewhere in the middle.

Yes, I use regular copy paper in my printer and it tears fine. If you are doing several blocks that are identical you can layer four or five together and stitch on the line. This pre-perforates the paper and makes it much easier to remove paper from the final block.

Thanks for all of your replies, this morning before I posted this I knew very little about paper piecing and what paper to use. There are so many wonderful hints that you have shared. Thanks. Am trying the Spiderweb, Quiltville.com. She explains how to make your own template and how to do it without buying anymore rulers, this is great. Thanks again!

Paper Piecing paper will have a block pattern copied on it. Foundation paper piecing is just any paper, printed, colored, or not. They are two completely different quilting methods using paper.

I use regular printer paper all the time. The cheaper the better! Just remember to shorten your stitch lenght. Sometimes I have issues getting all the tiny bits out from under the stitches... but I leave those in.... life is too short to worry about something I will never see.

I think the paper you use should be based on how complicated the pp block is because if you have to rip out a lot then the vellum is betterbecause it holds up well to ripping out the stitches.

I have used both copy paper and Carol Doakes and other brands of PP paper. I love using the PP paper. It feeds through the copier so I don't have to trace anything and tears away easily and cleanly. I understand the expence but for me it is well worth it. You also have to buy copy paper! Try several kinds and make up your own mind on these options.

peace

This is exactly what I do.. works great!

I use plain old printer paper all the time. It works just fine. You can also use pages from the telephone book. White pages are best because the design shows more easily.

I tried the spiderweb block the other night and used the printer paper, it is coming off easily using a small stitch. I think I will like doing this. Thanks for your suggestions.

I'm fairly new to this, so forgive my ignorance. Can someone explain "paper piecing" to me? I get the comment above ".. printing a block on copy paper and stitching.." is that all there is to it? Seems it's more involved than that.

I agree...copier paper is really easy to tear

I use printer paper with a 1.5 stitch length. Works fine.

I love paper piecing...block never fails me. I use a Doodle Pad in the kids section of Walmart. I have tried copy paper and it works well, but removing the paper using the Doodle Pad paper is sooooo much easier.

I used the thin tracing paper that worked better than the thicker printing paper. It was easy to tear off amd didn't seem to make near the mess.
I would not use newspaper because of the newsprint rubbing off on the fabric.

I use copier paper but I took a PP class and the teacher said the cheapest paper she uses is ruled school paper. But be careful and make sure you don't get the paper with the reinforced holes, it has a plastic or vinyl strip down the holes side.

I use my regular print paper (20 weight) all the time. Too lazy to always change out the paper....LOL! Works just fine....even on very small items.

I use freezer paper - I cut it to size and put it through my printer. Then I use the freezer paper method which involves folding back so there is nothing to tear out afterwards. Love it!