"Permanent" Paper Foundation Blocks?
 

What happens if you complete a bed quilt, bind and wash without removing the paper foundation? Is it a total disaster?

I do not use paper foundations (I use muslin because I'm too lazy to rip all the paper off) but would like to see if anyone wants to tell me from their own experience, OR from "a friend's." :rolleyes:

I would guess that it kind of balls up inside the quilt, but I don't know for sure.

Years ago when the paper was left in the quilt, those quilts were not washed frequently, if ever, so that paper remained pretty much intact, and also that was used as a kind of insulation against cold, or just because there was nothing else available. At least that is what I have read.......now however, with hot water, agitating, spinning, machine drying, I don't think that paper would hold up very well....and the crunching is not something we would be willing to put up with.... Jmho

I would guess it really depends on the thickness of the paper. The paper pieces I've seen used for hexies is about cardstock weight - I can't imagine that would turn out well in a washer; I'd expect it to get wadded up.

I've heard of people piecing on phone book paper, though, and that's probably thin enough that it'd disintegrate to the point where you wouldn't really notice it; maybe the occasional ball or ridge.

Either way I don't think I'd recommend it!

I think it would not be a great idea. I used phone book pages and they come out very easily.

Sorry. I have always used cheap paper and set my stitches small so it usually rips out easily. I remove the pater during my sit down watching TV time with a trash can near by. I would think it would make a mess otherwise, why would instructions in the pattern say to remove it??

me too, MQ2. I enjoy pulling it apart while i sit, rock, and view TV at the end of the day ;-)

Make a test piece and toss in the wash. Nothing complex just a basic unit , sandwiched and quilted. That way you will know for sure what you can expect.

The paper over time and with use & laundering breaks down and becomes globs.

Of course if you have vast financial resources and don't want to tear the paper off ... you could use wash away stabilizer.

When I made my crazy quilt with a light weight muslin I was surprised how heavy the finished quilt was.

Now ... I use the smaller stitches, finer paper, & then tear it out. That's why I love regular piecing.