Tissue paper patterns for quilting
 

I recently discovered tissue paper for quilting patterns and am amazed at how easy they can make quilting. However, after the stitching and then removing the tissue paper, I am left with tiny bits of paper stuck in the stitching, where one line will cross another. I have pulled loose as much as I can get without getting a magnifying glass and tweezers, but not happy with what is still there. Will these little bits come loose in the wash? I am really not wanting to get that "up close and personal" with the quilt....LOL!

Try a longer stitch length. I did this once with regular printer paper, and spent a good bit of time with tweezers. There are scrapbooking tweezers that open when squeezed, and are closed with no pressure that made the job easier. Since I am recovering from surgery and unable to work, I am sitting around doing nothing, so just send it to me and I'll be happy to work on it.

I use baking parchment paper and when finished give it a tug on each of the biases and that loosens up most of the bits.

I've heard of using shrink cling film. I don't think I got this right. I think it is a product used for food storage?? Anyway it is transparent and you can used frinctionless pens to draw quilting lines on it, quilt on it and then tear it off.

I'm working on a Judy Niemeyer paper pieced quilt right now. According to her directions, if you don't get all the tiny pieces out it's okay, because they will dissolve when the quilt is washed and become part of the quilt. I find that I can get 99.9% of the paper out by scratching the intersection with a nail (and I do NOT have long nails). I do use a short stitch when paper piecing.

Oops, just read your post again and think you may be using the tissue paper on the top of the quilt when you're quilting it. I think the same is true, and the paper will dissolve and go away. You could also spray it with water and see if it's easier to remove then.

thanks....I think I will try washing when done and see what happens.....won't hurt it if they don't come loose, will just make me have to pick at them a bit more....LOL

Bonnie / Quiltville suggests using Kabinet wax. I bought a box at Sam's Club and love this paper for string quilts, etc.. I think there's 500 sheets in a box. She does suggest to use a smaller stitch length, then the paper tears away easily. www.quiltville.com

I agree with katydidkg, using a smaller stitch allows the paper to tear more easily and spritzing it with water also helps with getting those hard little pieces. I have also used a pair of hemostats for removing the tiny pieces after spritzing with water. It is a very time consuming job. And the tiny pieces I didn't get, disappeared with washing the quilt. Good Luck.

I have used tissue paper to machine quilt a border. I got the big pieces off and what was left in the stitches came out in the wash. I didn't use tweezers, if it didn't come out with the first pull it stayed in. I wouldn't use the paper if the quilt isn't meant to be washed.

my daughter uses Glad Press'nSeal. I tried it and it work so good, as I am a newbie quilter.

yes--the paper will all be gone when the quilt is laundered-

Just had this same discussion in another thread in this section. I use Golden Threads paper, which is gold in color and is a thin tissue type of paper. It comes on a roll. I trace the pattern, then cut around the pattern and pin it onto the top of the quilt. After quilting, I tear off most of it, and leave what doesn't come off. After it's finished, I look for pieces I can remove easily, but the rest comes out when I wash the quilt.

I use the Kabinet Wax/deli wax that you can buy at Sam's. Great value for your money. I run an iron over the piece of waxed paper before I use it to get the crease out. Love it and so easy to remove...even when I forget to shorten my stitch length.

I found that running your finger over the stitching usually loosens the paper fairly well, but I do use tweezers for the rest. Washing helps, too, but sometimes leaves a few bits here and there.

That is Press and Seal... it works like a charm. Not really sticky, and it doesn't gum up the needle.

Anita in Northfield, MN

Yes I have used golden threads paper ane since it's on a roll you don't have so many small patterns. Sometimes I son't want a smaller stitch. This paper comes off great.

Shrink cling film
 

The product you mention is called Press and Seal , it is made by Glad, you will find it in your grocery store with the wrapping papers. I always use it when I hand quilt. I never machine quilt, I suggest a practice block

I have used the press'n-seal before with mixed reviews. Loved the ease of use and transparency. I marked the pattern with a permanent marker (may have also used ball point pen one time). But when I went to remove it it was a problem to get it out of the tiny places between loops, petals, etc. Add to that the darkness of the marker which stayed under some of the stitches and it was a mess!! It would be interesting to use the frixion pens to see what happens. That way, pressing to melt the plastic wrap would be more possible. Not a good idea w/permanent marker. Have also tried the tissue paper and some of those bits may be with the quilt for a while. I am trying to get better control of the FMQ but sometimes I get some really tiny stitches if I don't move the fabric/adjust speed as I should and this adds to the conundrum.

might try a lint roller??

Small stitches, and crease before tearing if on a straight line. I use a pin to scratch out teeny pieces.

You might try using a pencil erasure to remove those little pieces also. I have used it on threads when I was unstitching (ripping) and it works great.

tissue paper for quilting
 

I have used the blue pen to mark designs and then use a moistened swab to wash off the marks. Also learned from DGD that if you wet paper it tears more easily so would suggest tracing over the stitching with wet swab and it shoud all pull out quickly. Also saw a demo where they stitched without thread over the design on copy paper, (could make several copies at once.) and then dip a foam paint brush into the dust used to pounce on perforated designs. Brush over the punctured paper and you should have your quilting design on your fabric.

What about freezer paper.