string quilt issues
 

I shortened my stitch length, but I still find stitches pulling out when I try to remove the phone book paper. It is such a mess to remove all the paper. Tweezers surely help. Is there a simpler way to string piece. I know a fabric foundation adds extra weight.

Lightly spray dampen the papers. That should help them come off easier. I do that with tear away stabilizers for machine Emb.

I use computer/copy paper for paper piecing. I shorten my stitch length. When I am ready to remove the papers, I fold it back and forth, back and forth along the stitch line. This seems to "weaken" the paper fibers and it tears off much easier. Sometimes I spritz the paper, too, if it is a tough piece.

I haven’t used paper, but a video I saw showed pulling gently on the finished block, in both directions, helped weaken the paper along the seams. It pulled away more easily then.

I use thin, cheap muslin for my foundations. I have also used lightweight interfacing ( about the weight of a dryer sheet) the sew in kind of lightweight interfacing I can usually get at Joanne’s for about 99 cents ayard. Then you don’t have to remove it. It doesn’t add any noticeable weight. String quilts tend to be heavier than regular pieced quilts anyway. Sure beats the aggravation of paper removal

yes, cheap muslin. no paper to remove!!

I have made a quilt with paper and if you fold the paper at the stitch line it will help a lot. I also have my machine stitch length at 1.5 and that helps too. Sorry you are so frustrated with the process. I feel sewing on a fabric foundation has too much weight. Just my personal opinion

Along with folding the paper back, I run a fingernail over the folded paper. I seldom have any problems.

Linda in MO

when i used paper, i always placed my thumb or what ever finger on the stitching as i pulled the paper. kept moving finger and pulling paper. worked well. I just hate paper.