Preshrinking freezer paper?
 

I was reading an article about paperless paper piecing and came across this:

"**A note about freezer paper: If you use Reynolds, or another brand found at a grocery store, it will need to be preshrunk. When ironed, freezer paper shrinks in width (about 1/8"), but not length. Preshrinking it will prevent inaccuracies as you reuse the template. To preshrink your freezer paper, tear off your desired length, lay it shiny side down onto your pressing board. Lightly spray it with spray starch, and press it with a dry (NO steam) iron until it is completely flat and dry. Repeat for your second piece of freezer paper. You'll notice it pulling in on the width. Once it's dry and flat, it's ready to be used. If you order freezer paper from my mom, it doesn't need to be preshrunk."

Here is the article in its entirety: http://www.sewmuchlikemom.com/2014_01_01_archive.html

I have never heard of preshrinking freezer paper.... does everybody do this?

Never heard of that either! And, no, I've never done it. Don't know that I've ever had an issue, either, with re-using freezer paper templates and I use steam.

Hmmm, reads like a ploy to get you to use their freezer paper. I use Reynolds FP all the time and have used it for applique and for paper piecing (where you fold it back and stitch next to the fold, not through the paper) and I have never had an issue with it shrinking in any way. My pieces all still fit together no problem. I would think if there is an issue with shrinkage of the freezer paper there would be a problem with my units when I go to sew them together and I have not experienced that.

In a class the instructor showed us how the freezer paper shrunk. She had three brands. Reynolds shrunk the most. Only one didn't shrink at all.

Let me calculate here. If you don't pre-shrink freezer paper the dimension shrinks 1/8 inch over 18 inches! Let's get real. I think I will just use the freezer paper from the grocery store ad not worry about it.

Thank you for saying that! I agree entirely.... when you think about it, it would barely make a hair's width difference. No one is ever that perfect to begin with, so I think I will stick with my cheapo Walmart brand freezer paper.

I never heard of it either.

For show quilters it could be a big deal. It's easy to do a test and find out. I use the precut sheets of parchment because that is what I buy for cooking.

Since a great many quilters don't even pre-shrink their fabrics, I can't imagine that freezer paper shrinkage would be a big concern.

Really now.....watch the sale of precut sheet of freezer paper made especially for quilters skyrocket now!!!! But, not by my purchase of same......
I'm sure Elmer's has seen a bit of a rise in their sales from quilters buying for basting......and what about spray starch too.....not on my shopping list...

ditto! the lemmings approach to quilting must-haves :D

I think it would be easy enough to check it out.

Cut out a "measured size" of freezer paper - do what was suggested - and see if it shrank or not.

this is sharon chambers daughters' blog. riding moms apron strings into blog popularity? or blogging for mom so mom can devote all her time to creating & innovating?

Sheets of freezer paper are already on market. I'll stick to buying the large roll. Didn't know after reading the blog that Sharon evidently started the no tear away paper piecing. Don't really need freezer paper for the no tear away paper piecing anyway. I learned about it on the Quilt N Bee You Tube video. I have really cheap copy paper and can use light glue stick that allows for reposition.

Fortunately I totally agree! Never have had a problem. I use the same method you do and I've noticed that Reynolds seems to have more "stickability" than it used to (yay!), but no shrinking. Are some of you you ironing it too heavily?

I've peeled off and used my templates 5 or 6 times with the fabric coming out the same dimensions.

I'm not disputing that there may be a shrinkage problem - just that I've not experienced it.

Never had a problem with it in over 35 years I have been using it.

I just attended an appliance retreat with Pearl Pereira. I make our templates, she had us pre-shrink our freezer paper. First, place your freezer paper on a pressing sheet shiny side down. Pre-shrink two sheets, then place one on top of the other so there are 2layers. When the two layers are together, cut your templates out. These templates will be very sturdy and can be used up to 8 - 10 times.

I think she is probably referring to the use when paper piecing. It probably does matter then. I don't follow patterns very much and usually just do my own thing so if it shrinks it does not bother me much but some people are very precise and do follow patterns that are precisely written so this is good hint for that. I imagine the preshrunk freezer paper is very helpful for that also.

Always something to make you doubt your sanity.

I also use typing paper to do the paperless paper piecing. We can make at least 20 blocks from the same piece of paper. But we start in the middle and work our way out. Much faster.

First I lightly crease all the lines from edge to edge with the back of the seam ripper and a ruler. Put the middle piece on the paper Right Side Up with a little washable glue stick, turn that over, fold the paper back for the first seam and lay on second piece RST, and sew that seam right next to the paper. Press open, fold down paper for next piece, etc. Seam allowance can be trimmed after each sew with an add-a-quarter ruler or a scissors.

Oh my. I watched the tutorial on making the Sq in Sq block using Sharons' technique. It is definitely a lot of work compared to how most of us would make this or any block. I think this is something that makes the difference between a professional class quilter and "me". Her block couldn't be more perfect. Couldn't we all improve our own work with this simple experiment.

Now, I hear all the time about how one of our worst nightmares is loosing the points and lining up of perfect seams, two of the the most basic fundamentals in quilting.

If you have trouble with these things wouldn't be worth trying the technique?

Why do we poo poo every thing that might improve our work? I'm seeing a lot of criticism here, and don't understand why. Just take the tip or not. We don't have to be rude.
peace

The precut freezer paper I have is cheaper then the box of Reynolds and I don't have to cut it to fit the printer. I bought it from a paper manufacturer. I bought 12 reams of unsold product for $25. I bought the same way for the vellum papers I use for paper piecing. One good paper buy will last a lifetime. I have supplied every guild member with enough freezer paper to make templates for dozens of quilts each. Oh and it does not shrink. I tested it against the Reynolds. Reynolds is fine if that is all you have.

huh? But even if a freezer paper shrunk 1/8" in width - this is across a 20" or 24" width. So it wouldn't even be a thread width on a normal size template??? I say it is a whole lot of extra work for what might possibly be a thread - and maybe not even a thread width.

Never heard of this, but I use freezer paper for applique only, so if it's true it doesn't present a problem.

Doubted my sanity? Never. I know i'm crazy. I raised 5 kids. 3 boys, but the girls drove me over the edge.

Onebyone. Who did you buy the pre cut freezer paper from? I do a lot of printing on fabric and would love the pre cut.

Like minds are often opposite. I had the reverse, three girls and two boys. It was one of the boys that tipped me over into the chasm.

Fortunate for you that you were able to buy from a mfgr....perhaps you might share the name?

I too just read the blog on sq in a sq.....I got tired just reading/ looking at pics.....all that work for one square!!!!!! What happened to starting from center square, do math or follow pattern for cutting other squares and cutting them diagonally and building on that center????? That how I do mine, no paper, glue, etc. btw.....I read her " little" life story on blog.....and like most of the blogs out there...lots of me, my, I...............

:D sigh ...thank you!!!

also in the "basic quilting" of points & seams. it's also just plain basic careful sewing. no videos required.

I have used Reynolds freezer paper for years for applique,english paper piecing plus other kinds of paper piecing and I have made show quilts samples for quilt shops and taught classes and have never had a problem this is the first I ever heard this so will keep watch maybe something different with the new paper

Exactly what I was thinking!! Thank you!!!

While this tiny amount of shrinkage may not matter to most of us, let's remember that Sharon Schamber is on the Autism spectrum, which IMO affects her perspective. Being so precise has helped her win many awards, and she (and her daughter) are simply sharing their experience. While I am not concerned about this tiny bit of shrinkage in freezer paper, I won't fault either of them for sharing. Different isn't wrong.

My only problem ever with freezer paper was when I got a piece wrong side up ans stuck to my iron! :(

Never heard of such a thing! Guess I will just have to keep on using my cheap stuff and worry about something else that is more important!:confused:

Onebyone, are you saying you use parchment paper that one would use for baking? I'm looking for a more economical way to begin paper piecing but I want the paper to be able to go through the printer I always buy it in the roll form, but it would be really nice to have it in precut sheets.

Did not know that about SS......perhaps, though, that med info should have been somehow integrated into the article...allowing people to completely understand the reason for it, rather than making it sound catastrophic.......

Yes, I do it all the time and it makes a difference in the accuracy.

Ricky Tims says to preshrink the freezer paper too.