I just finished my first table runner and am ready to quilt it. Since I've never done it, I'm wondering.....If I photocopy the pattern onto regular paper, could I just place it on the top and sew right through the paper, then pick the paper out?

Good question. I also will be standng by to read the answer. BrendaK

I don't see why not. Sounds like a good idea to me.

I would find the regular copy paper too thick to FMQ over. The thinner the better (and easier to pick off)

use tracing paper. it will be easier to remove.

At the risk of sounding like a rookie, what does FMQ mean?

I use tissue paper (white) get tons at the dollar store..sew it right on and it pulls right off !!

FMQ= Free Motion Quilting

Plus shorten stitch length too....Easier to tear...

Ohhhhhh I will remember this one!!!!!! :thumbup: :thumbup:

THANK YOU! I will try the tissue paper since I have some in the house:~).

Really? I assumed I should use longer stitches?

I started using it when a quilting buddy showed me how she did it..and the way they fold it..it's great for using on borders..especially around the corners!!

Once you do it you'll remember to make short stitches.
Try it both ways and see?????? It is a good way to see and learn......It also helps to hold on to the stitching ,to where you are pulling the paper from.....

Just teaching myself to FMQ and that would be a great help...
thanks again for the tip!!!!!!

When you are doing FMQ your feed dogs are down, so you control the stitch length. If you do it over paper you have to aim for tiny stitches so you can peel the paper easier. The problem, if you make a mistake tiny stitches are very hard to remove. Practice on something else before you try it on your quilt.

I think I'll take your advice;-). Thanks for the tip!

This is what I do. I have a pair tweezers handy when I pull off the paper to get those pesky little shreds of paper that want to stay on the quilt.

There's also a paper called Golden Threads Quilting Paper that works very well for this.

I would suggest you use a blunt needle with no thread and stitch the design first on the paper using a short stitch, then using a sharp needle, stitch the design on the quilt with thread.

This way you will have more holes to make it easier to remove the paper when you go to take it out.

I tried to do an embroidery (just an outline normal stitch) using regular computer paper and talk about a nightmare trying to remove the paper! I've since learned to prepunch the paper with the design so when I go to quilt it, I don't catch so much paper.

Good luck!

Sounds good

you could you glad press and seal, wash away embroidery stabilizer, or iron away embroidery stabilizer if you don't want to wash the quilt.

I like the idea of press & seal since it will stick to the fabric without shifting around. Will definitely try this.

Free motion quilting.

I think I'm in over my head:-(!

I have used 3 different papers: large packs of white tissue paper. You can usually find it on clearance during the holidays. Notebook paper, which is about 16 lb. paper vs. the regular copy paper which is about 20 lb. Hobby Lobby sells 50 yd rolls of rice paper for $6.00 using a 40% coupon. Doesn't matter how you do the FMQ, it is still quilting regardless of how you get to the end result.

I found a ream of newsprint in a school supply store. I used it for FMQ and it worked pretty well.

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I find paper easier to remove after spraying it with water to
soften it. Works for me.

Try to use thinner paper, such as tissue paper, and trace using a light box or window.The reason I suggest this is that the thicker paper can make the loops of the stitches be a bit longer than they should be and when you pull it away the stitches can pull, bend out of shape and distort.The tissue paper is more forgiving.

What is press and seal I haven't heard of it . Does any one know if it is available in Australia. It sounds like the ideal thing.

Free Motion Quilting

Press and Seal is a product made by Glad. You can find it in the same section with alum. foil in the grocery store. Not sure if you can get it in Australia. You tear off a piece and press it around the rim of what ever you are saving in the frig. Great product, but never thought about using it for quilting. I will keep it in mind.

If you can't get Press'N'Seal, what about lightly spraying 505 on quilt top to hold down the tissue paper...just thinking out loud.

As others said, regular paper isn't good - yu'll have all kinds of little paper thingies to pull out. BUT - give parchment paper a try - just got this great idea from a demo at my quilt guild and she said she uses it all the time - pulls away with nothing left behind. Easy to find at your grocery store in the wrap section. She also has tried tissue and does not like that either - paper that ha to be pulled out from stitches (I haven't tried this so am just relating her observations). There is also a product from Golden Threads that looks like yellow tissue but pulls away cleanly. It comes in several widths on rolls and I think there are also some preprinted ones, too.

Hope this helps,
Sandy in Mooresville, NC

I use water soulable tabelizer to trace quilting patterns. I wash everything when I'm done so it just washes away.

I would use tear away!

We have a product made by Glad called gladwrap it is a thin clingy plastic for covering food on plates etc. It woudn't stick to fabric though so maybe it isn't the same stuff

I did that exactly for my ddtrs wedding quilt!
Photocopied, pinned on quilted and torn off.
You do have to be careful your stitch is a size smaller than usual or they will be torn out

I've been looking for Glad Press n Seal for about a year (since I heard about it here) but I don't think it is available in Australia. I think it used to be so I don't know why it isn't now.

I recently saw instructions to draw designs on clear, iron off, fusible 4" pieces - Fons and Porter show this week on BYU tv
I am going to try it when I can get to a quilt store for supplies.

I found Glad press'n'seal on ebay, 2 pack for $8.99 aust. but $37.12 for postage!!!