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.

I use the cheapest copy paper I can find, and don't usually have a problem with the stitches coming out, but another suggestion I have, since you have shortened the stitch length, is to perforate the paper before stitching, then go ahead and sew your fabrics on. You don't say how much you shortened your stitch length, so that might be another possibility. My machine's automatic length is 2.8, I shorten it to 1.5.

This is a subject that has lots of opinions. A lot of people say they use copy paper with no problem. Every time I tried to use this paper with all the proper stitch adjustments and pulling the block a little to stretch the paper abit to tear it away from the seam, It always loosened the stitching. I find copy paper just to thick for PP. There are some things I feel I just have to spend money on. PP paper is one of them. It is like tracing paper and tears away very easily from the stitching with no problem. Please do not wet the paper trying to remove it. You will have a paper mash mess.

Try running a chop stick along the edge of the stitching to pre- tear the paper then gently pull the finished block (like stretching it VERY GENTLY). this should help to remove the paper.

I also use a seam ripper to gently work out the little pieces that stick in the corners of stitching intersections.
Hope this helps a little. Don't give up.
Stitch length = 1.5
peace

I use copy paper, however, I never shorten my stitches. That just grabs the paper tighter. Also, I start tearing the paper in the middle and go towards the ends.

I use copy/printer paper - have never done muslin - and don't shorten my stitches. I run my fingertip under the paper along the seam line or use a letter opener, my Purple Thang or even a table knife and have never had a problem.

I use regular copy paper & do not shorten the stitch from the machine's default of 2.5. After stitching, I fold the paper at the stitching line. Then I run the back of my seam ripper along the stitching line to 'cut' through the paper. I gently pull the paper along the line to get it off. If there are any little bits of paper still caught under the stitching, I gently use tweezers to pry the paper out from under the stitches. I've never had a problem with the stitches tearing.

spritz, run a metal nail file next to the stitches, and tear it off! don't worry about the tiny bits in the seams if your stitches are so loose they are pulling out!

you really should use a smaller stitch...to make up the thickness of the paper, once you remove your paper, your stitches will be too large and gaping!

I had the exact same issue when I first started PPing. First I switched to vellum and was much happier because it tears easier. Then I switched techniques and now I use the fold-and-stitch method - no ripping! Instead of stitching the line on the paper, fold the paper on that line and stitch right next to it. Trim with an add-a-quarter ruler and you're done. Vellum works great for this technique because you can see through it, so you can see if you're folding on the line.

Granny Dean,

Yes, you surely can soak the blocks in warm water. I use copy paper also and it works perfectly well when I soak it. Give it a try, you will be pleased (I hope.) But I recently tried a method I learned on this board from Peckish. She told of folding the paper on the line and stitching right next to it. That way the paper is never attached to the fabric. I do us a bit of glue to hold the pieces I am sewing though. I find that using pins distorts the fabric. Good luck and please share with us a pic of the finished product.

WHOOPS!! I just looked at the post above mine and guess what. It's from Peckish. So you are in good hands now. She is a pro.

Wow, you have a lot of great suggestions. I stitch the paper on the lines without any thread before adding the fabric. I like to fold on the line and trim the seam each time I add a new fabric.... then, it tears off pretty easily as well. I don't shorten my stitch much.

I think you might stretch your block out of size if you do too much pulled on the paper.... Good luck.

I've done printer paper for years and years and never had a problem except for losing patience with the process. I now sit outside with a glass of wine and do the removal! makes it much less tedious.

Newsprint is a less dense paper than copy paper, can be cut to fit your printer, and is more easily removable.

I love, love PP! Am using foundation paper from Carol Doak. Its lasted a long time & was cheap. I use 2.5 or 2.0 stitch. Tearing out is the most tedious.
Oh, just read Tartan's tip on not using steam in case ink transfers... Good tip!

I could not use copy paper. Too heavy. If you don't want to buy foundation paper (Carol Doak has some) I found a tablet of Tracing paper in the art department section. I can use in a copier, with a fight, because it is thin. A computer printer works better if you have your pattern on the computer. That is all I use for paper piecing. Never had a problem.

I use copy paper - I fold it on the seam line, use a little wooden presser (my DH made mine out of a dowl (SP?) rod with the end cut off at an angle) you can buy this too it is called a finger presser - anyway and then I use a bottle of water and spritz the paper. I find it pulls of pretty easy and the fabric needs pressed anyway so the dampness from the water is not a problem.

I've never had a problem with stitches gaping. The blocks have turned out fine.

Such a generous board...thanks, everyone for the good advice... I was especially made aware of the prospect of doing this all at the end and trying to get the seams to lay flat again. I love quilting and nice to know so many others do as well. Off to sew....Granny Dean

Awww *blush* that was very nice of you to say, Kitsy. I'm not a "pro", unless that's short for "professionally lazy", lol. I was too lazy to pull all those little bits of paper off, so I found an easier way. :D

Peckish.

I can't thank you enough for your idea. I just finished the blocks for my first pp quilt. Used the stitch on the paper and soaking to get it off at first. Then I tried your method and am hooked on it. What I really like is that I can use the pattern over and over, no waste. I like that a lot. So, keep your ideas coming.

I think the paper must be too thick. Why not try airmail paper? It is much thinner and should not cause the stitches to pull out.

Go to Craftsy.com and look at the March BOM (there are two differenty blocks demonstrated) It will show how to do a spider web block without paper. I used this method on mine and it came out great. See post "Scrappy! and I like it on this board to see how mine came out.

I noticed the other day in Joann's that there is a foundation paper that when finished, the paper will dissolve in water...nothing easier than that.

Just a suggestion, but have you tried folding the paper on the seam b4 you try tearing it? If that doesn't work get a squirt bottle and mist it b4 tearing. Good luck

yes, folding first at the stitching line will help get a clean rip. Just like tearing off a perforated card or whatever.......but I do like the phone book pages too........

I use copy paper a lot and don't have a problem. I have used newsprint and found it works well. One suggestion since you are using muslin as a foundation would be to cut the muslin and freezer the size of your copy paper. Iron muslin to freezer paper and print pattern onto the muslin side. Sew strips to muslin pattern, ha way you have no tearing off to do.

I use tissue paper for paper piecing

How about FOLDING along a line of stitches (a few times), then running over the folded paper (I use the flat end of my seam ripper). This makes the fold in the paper very sharp, then dampen it just a little. At this point you should be able to tear off the paper (made that mistake before too). Good luck :)

I do all my paper piecing on tracing paper. It has to be cut to size for copier but it tears off