I used photocopy paper to make the paper pieced blocks. Now I am have some difficulty removing the paper without ripping all the stitches out. I have pp'ed 8 blocks and I have 8 more to go. Should I shorten my stitch? It is at 2.5 (the preset) right now. Thanks for the info.

BTW, I love paper piecing. The seams look so perfect and it comes together quickly. No sweating perfect accuracy with cutting. I am using the Feeling Crabby pattern right now but can't wait to make a storm at sea with pp'ing.

I would shorten the stitch and maybe mist with water the pieces you can't get out. I'm a novice when it comes to PP so will be watching this thread. :D

http://www.quiltingboard.com/virtual...jsp?vsnum=1005

This is a great section to review too for hints and pictures.

You can subscribe to it so you get news all the time too.


I stitch at 1.5 for paper piecing and it rips pretty easy.

I tried wetting the paper a little as someone suggested but it really made a mess for me...wouldn't suggest that.

Yes, you should use a shorter stitch whenever you paper piece. Try pulling the block from the corners. (pull the fabric,, not the paper)This should cause the paper to crack along the stitching lines. Hope this helps.

I use the tweezers that came with my serger to get into the small areas. I also will score a line with a pin close to the sewing edge if it's a small area.

defintely shorten your stitch and it will help i use about 18 on my fw

I use copy paper also for patterns. I use a slightly shorter stitch. When it's time to take the paper off, I run the back of my seam ripper along the stitching line to perforate it, gently pull the large pieces of paper off & use tweezers to get the tiny pieces of paper from underneath the stitches. I rarely have a problem with disturbing or tearing the stitches.

Folding the paper on the seam now will weaken the paper a little more and that will make it somewhat easier to take off.

Copy paper dulls your sewing machine needles, so you might want to check yours before doing much more sewing on it.

Velum paper can be put through your home printer and is thinner than copy paper, so that might be easier to use for PP.

use 60wt thread in the bobbin, use a microtex 70 needle, use a 1.5 stitch length...and then to remove use a Orangewood(manicure) stick and use the blade edge to run across the paper next to the stitching...

then grab opposite corners of the block and snap/pull, now do the other corners...happy ripping to you!

Everyone has opinions...you have to find what works best for you.

Here's my 2 cents :)
Sew with a short stitch. Sometimes I moisten the paper with water...it depends. I always have tweezers handy too.
When it's time to remove the papers, I find a relaxing time and place where I can work mindlessly on this task. Take your time, enjoy someone's company, watch or listen to something nice, and maybe even enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or glass of wine. One time I even took some PP to a meeting and had them done well before the meeting was over. Afterall all I had to do at the meeting was listen.

Remember to enjoy every step of the quilting process...otherwise why do it?