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.

Oh, Girls, thank you so much for all of your input. I appreciate your suggestions and advice. I love the look of the string piecing, and it's fun to use up scraps, but I just was so frustrated with the paper removal. I'll try some cheap muslin next time. And, there will be a next time. I have loads of scraps!!!

You can also use the QAYG method for string quilting. Sew the scraps right onto your batting.

I love making string quilts; have made at least three large ones using Bonnie Hunter's patterns. Have never had an issue removing either phone book paper (my favorite) or just regular printer paper. Following Bonnie's guidelines, I sew with a shortened stitch (about 1.5 on my Bernina) AND a denim needle-size 90/14. The shortened stitch and larger needle duo makes it super easy to remove paper; in fact sometimes the paper wants to perforate and fall off before I finish a block, so I have to increase the stitch length a little :).

If you're not already using a 90/14 needle, give it a try and see if it makes paper removal easier for you.

Margaret

Most of the time, I will use $ wax paper. Comes off very easy! It also sometimes will perforate before I'm ready---but it works great for me. I like it and using newspaper or phone books for my string quilts.

Currently making a spider web quilt with papers from Missouri Star Quilt Co.....having no problems at all removing papers!!

Thanks for the suggestion on the denim needle. Another good thing to try for next time.

Question on this one. When you sew the blocks together, are the seams too thick since they have the batting in them? Just wondering.

While I have not done a string quilt, I do a lot of paper piecing. I use copy paper and when I want to remove the paper I use a moistened (semi wet not dry) Qtip. I run the Qtip down the stitching on the paper side - let it sit for a few seconds - the paper under the stitches soften while the rest of the paper is dry. It removes easily using this method.

I also love doing foundation piecing and sew directly onto my batting. I do decorative stitching in place of hand quilting. Love watching how each block turns out.

I love this idea!

I forgot to mention that I leave the batting in when I sew the pieces together then trim off as much as possible after stitched together.

Don't sew through the paper. Instead, I use a dab of washable glue stick to hold the fabric to the paper. Fold the paper on the sewing lines and sew right next to the line. No more ripping paper off when you're done! :D

This is called Paper-less paper piecing. You can use the same piece of paper for numerous blocks. A friend made 20 blocks with the same paper. You fold the paper on the lines and crease all the way across. All the lines. Then start with number one and do them in order. Fun, fun, fun. No paper ripping.

Instead of cheap, how about free. Surely you have some very thin trash fabric around. I used the very worn parts of on old fitted bed sheet. The edges were still too stiff, but the worn parts worked fine.

this is the way I do it... love it

After using Stable Stuff I gave up trying to use free or cheap. It's great. I buy the three yard roll and the 8 1/2 x 11 sheets for the printer. No mess, no hassle, just sewing and done.

Nobody mentioned not using a foundation. If it's not an intricate pattern, just sew the scraps to the approximate size and square it up. Works well for me. I also hate removing paper.

They do sell paper sheets for printer that desolves in water...but I use muslin and also buy very light newspaper paper thru amazon that comes right off.