lclang

Do NOT leave the paper in the quilt. Even if it sort of dissolves it will leave hard little "pills" between the layers. It is not that big a deal to rip the paper off, just fold it back against the stitches and rip off while watching TV or visiting with a friend. You can use aged newspapers (aged so the ink has set in the paper), phone book pages, tracing paper, gift tissue, or no-iron cheap interfacing (which you can leave in). I am skeptical of using the cheap muslin as it may shrink at a different rate than your good fabrics. People did use newspapers in quilts but they were likely never washed, and probably because they were not washable with the paper lining and many of them were made of wool which was apt to shrink and be ruined. If you want larger blocks try tracing paper from the dollar store. It is harder to get off than the newsprint or phone book paper however.

Judith1005

Thank you all for the great advise. I didn't start this thread, but, I have bookmarked and keep coming back to see what your suggestions are. I am enjoying all your answers.

I am using muslin for the back of mine. And, I am worried that the quilt will get way to heavy if I add batting and a backing. I live in Florida. So seriously considering no batting. I am also going to do it sort of like quilt as you go if I can figure out the directions. And there are several methods to consider. I really think this will work for me.

sosew4fun

Am wondering about using paper garment patterns for this. Haven't tried it but I have a drawer full of garment patterns
that will never be used again. It should tear off easily.

ladydukes

Bonnie Hunter's favorite string piecing method is to use pages from phone books. I tried it and it works very well, so as long as the string piecing blocks that I work on will fit the pages, that's what I will use as well. It's FREE! I have a stack of old phone books just for that purpose.

Judith1005

Iclang, thanks for the tip on the muslin. But, (red faced, I already started.) I did wash and dry the muslin before I used it though. So, I guess I will pray that all goes well. I will keep you updated on the washing.

jeanne49

I used both paper and thin muslin. I was with a quilt group that used old sheets that we would donate. I personally don't want to spend too much money on special foundation paper for a scrap quilt. Even with my arthritus I don't mind removing the paper. I know a lady who gets her grandkids to remove the paper - the kids love it.

Judith1005

That's a great activity for kids to help Granny. Sadly, I only have one at the moment and he's a bit to young to help granny. But, I will file this away for future use. In the meantime, I am NOT going to throw away my old phone books. I believe they are going to come in handy. (Or at least not all of them. lol, my goodness but I get a TON of phonebooks throughout the year.) I can almost hear the trees gasping for breath. NOT toss, I recycle!

QultingaddictUK

I use odd pillowcases!

dsews2

I've been making foundation free quilts for several years now. turns out fine....a few years ago I bought the book......Liberated String Quilts by GWEN MARSTON......great book, I haven't used foundations since. I make lots of crumb quilts and string quilts. Don't have to cut foundation pieces........

carolynjo

I don't use stabilizer; I just starch.