Paper Piecing "Aha" Moment
 

My favorite piecing technique is paper foundation piecing. I usually use cheap copy paper to make my patterns. This time, I needed blocks that measured 10.5 inches square (unfinished). I priced out legal (11" x 17") paper...yikes...the price! Than I had my "aha" moment. Why not use white wrapping paper? I went to the local dollar store and bought a roll of wedding (white) paper. It even has a one inch grid printed on the backside. (It is accurate!) Now I can use any size patterns I want and don't need to pay a fortune to have oversized copies made. What I can't believe is that it has taken me sooooo long to find the el cheapo solution to oversized paper pieced blocks. Another upside to the wrapping paper? Since I bought it at the dollar store, it is very thin - not a premium wrapping, so it will tear away easily.

Just wanted to share. I am probably not the only one using wrapping paper, but I am so very pleased with my size solution.:thumbup:

Aren't the 'aha' moments wonderful? I don't (or should I say - haven't) paper pieced, but this tip will stay in my brain for a very long time.

I've heard some people use tissue paper (gift wrap type) as foundations, but I found it tears much too easily while sewing.

I use dollar store tissue paper for making string quilts. The best thing about it is you don't have to remove the paper. Tissue paper dissolves in water, especially the cheap stuff.

Cari

The grid paper is wonderful to use for all enlarging of patterns. Sam's Club Christmas wrapping paper has a grid on the back of the paper roll. A huge thick long roll that has lasted me for years. I haven't used it for PP though. I use Stable Stuff or vellum for paper piecing because I deserve it. LOL

Great aha idea! Thanks for posting! I tried paper piecing a couple of years ago and it was fun. I think I'll try it again using your new-found product. :)

Easel Pads are another good option for larger projects.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Universal...be&athena=true

Prices are all over the place but this is the cheapest I've found online so the thickness of the paper is probably thin, which is what we want.

The large newsprint childrens writing tablets from the dollar store or Walmart are another good option.

Cari

I think that is a brilliant idea. Love the backside grid.
I've tried both the easel pads and the newsprint. And even old phone books. Yep...they still print them.

But lately, I have been using water soluble stabilizer instead of paper because I was given an 18" x 25 yd roll of it. I love being able to squirt away the "foundation" and I have even remembered to use my permanent pen or wash away markers. So far, so good.
If I ever run out of the water soluble stuff, I will try your wrapping paper idea.

I bought 2 reems of newspaper computer size
works great
I just run the sheets threw my printer