Question about string piecing
 

I just made my first 12 string pieced blocks. Fun!!

I used shiny store ads for the foundation. I cut the paper a little larger than I wanted the blocks and then trimmed.

My issue is when I peeled off the paper, I could see the stitches at the edges were getting loose.

This first project is just a utility quilt so no worries. But what is the proper way to do it in the future?

Should I make my foundation the exact size I want and lock the stitches at the beginning and end?

Thanks for all advice.

I think your answer is to use less "tough" paper (most suggest using old phone books) and a shorter (tighter) stitch

Ah, like paper piecing. That makes sense.

I use tissue paper and don't bother removing it. It disintegrates and disappears when you wash the quilt.

Cari

Hold the phone. The paper disappears somewhere inside the quilt?? How does that happen?? That sounds so great!

(Perhaps I should hold a small piece of tissue paper underwater and see what happens to it....)

It disappears into the great unknown leaving nothing inside the quilt. It's cheap too if you buy it at the dollar store.

Cari

I am using paper I had from making tamales. I found it when cleaning out the kitchen and I think it is the same as deli paper and which some quilters said they use. I have made my first 14 blocks and the paper came off pretty easy.

If I use paper as the base for strings then I finish off by sewing 1/8" all around the edge so that everything is locked in before I tear the paper. Usually I use muslin as my foundation squares.

I've been in a string block swap & one day (u know 1 day is not a day of the week?!) I hope to make a quilt. Sooo easy & great way to try!! to decrease stashes...