Paper Piecing should NOT be icky...
 

My friend and I are working on a spider web string quilt...got the tutorial off of Quiltville. We decided to print the pattern on the copy machine and use that paper as foundation. When we tear out the pieces of paper...the stitches come undone... yes, we shortened the stitches. I am used to using muslin as foundation for string quilts....but since this pattern requires more precision and we feel we need the foundation...can we put the quilt together and then soak off the paper afterwards. Any help would be appreciated...thanks...

Granny Dean

Copy paper may be too heavy. I have not made a spider web string quilt yet but have made 2 string quilts. Both times I used phone book paper--which is light weight. Another option is to use a very light weight non fusible interfacing and not tear it off but leave it in place.

I would moisten the stitching with a cotton swab or cloth, to make it easier. I would be reluctant to want to deal with a whole quilt top all at once, and the pressing that will have to follow to get the seams laying flat again.

Try pulling the seam in opposite directions while holding it. That will release the paper from the seam.

I use lightweight vellum. It doesn't leave bits and pieces and tears from the seam easy. I've tried all the papers and vellum is the best if especially if you are doing a lot of blocks.

I use phone book paper for my string blocks- there are always a stack of them around at work that no one uses (need a phone number? just Google it!). If I need more precision I use printable foundation papers- pricier but I buy them when I have 40% off coupons or when quilting notions are half off at Joann. They even make some that dissolve, but I keep larger pieces of the tear-away to use again for smaller projects.

Try folding the paper on the preforation made by the seam and running your fingernail along the crease of the fold prior to tearing. I have found this gets it to release much better. You may also wish to decrease your stitch length even more. You want it to be really small. I am talking small that if you go to unsew it is a complete and utter pain in the patoot. Your stitching should not be coming undone that easily, even with copier paper.

Can you shorten your stitches anymore?
I use the shortest stitch my machine will allow and use regular printer paper.
A gentle tug and it comes off, without bothering the stitches, one little bit!

That's exactly what I do! Don't have any problem removing paper.

I have used printer paper here at home, I too shorten the stitch length, and in addition I fold the paper at the stitching line that seems to weaken the paper sometimes I have to do it a couple of times...........but works fine...............calla

Absolutely the best way! And if you use freezer paper, you can "iron" it onto the back of the fabric. And can use it many times over if you want.