weezie

I do my piecing on paper because I do not like to starch my fabrics, especially if I'm using a huge variety of fabrics in a quilt top. I save used printer paper to use as a stabilizer when I sew on straight of grain. Because it tears so easily, I use cash register tape to stabilize when I sew on the bias. I remove the paper as I go.

Weezy Rider

Years ago, you did your fancy decorative machine stitches with adding machine tape as a stabilizer. It could be a bear to remove, but you didn't have puckers.

If you don't like paper, there is embroidery stabilizer that washes away. You can draw on it. I've used a single layer for stand alone lace which is high stitch count. The stuff comes on a roll, and you can cut what you need into strips or whatever.

Yooper32

I would absolutely NOT use the wash with the paper on idea if you have a septic system.

mckwilter

If you don't want to hassle with removing paper, you can also cut strips of muslin to use for the foundation. If you use the muslin, you are not limited to the 2-1/2" width of the paper, but make them as wide as you want.

Stitchit123

THANK YOU Caroline for asking this question....I have been wanting to do a Bargello quilt for a very long time and as soon as I read ''Cash register tape' I seen it in my minds eye how easy it will be to keep those little squares straight.

shasta5718

Wow, what a great idea. I have a case of those from when my husband had a business and didn't think I would ever get them used. Gives me one more project to try. Thank You.

misseva

I believe the lady that said she didn't remove the tape finished her quilt first - quilted and bound - then washed it and the tape just dissolved INSIDE THE QUILT. Didn't go in the septic tank.

huntannette

After I `ve sewn my fabric strips all the way to the end of the roll, I do trim the sides following the edges , but I do make sure thy are trimmed to 3 " ( size of tape I use) I can them cut the pieces to the length I want depending on pattern used. It does keep all those strips straight ....but as I assemble my quilt I remove the paper as I go....

CoventryUK

http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...er-t56940.htmlad Sue Fish does fantastic designs.....check it out!!! Hhttp://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...er-t56933.htmlere are some more pics...

Jingle

Somewhere in the tutorial section is a tutorial on making these. o a search and see if you can find it. It has been several years.