juliasb

I am working on a quilt right now that I do this with. I have a very thin paper that I use (vellum) it is .11. I print out the stencil I want to use and lay the paper stencil onto the quilt and then FMQ over the stencil and then tear it off. Most of the time it works well. My hand shifts from time to time. That doesn't seem to make a difference in the total picture. Right now it is a learning experience for me. This quilt is full of first time trials. That is what this quilt is all about. It is a quilt as you go and the quilting in the center is with the paper stencils the next row out is with a plastic stencil where I draw onto the fabric, The next row I did a stippling pattern. The last row out will be again the 8" paper stenciling that was on the first row. The paper stenciling is a nice touch. You may find you have to change your needle a couple times depending on how big your quilt is as the paper will dull your needle. When that happens you stitching will look a bit wonky.

Calmclam

MaryKatherine

A lot of my custom work is drawn on paper and then quilted. Some papers tear away more cleanly than others. Doesn't dull the needle any more than normal use.

Fastpedal

I use Bienfany 50 yd x 14 inch sketching and tracing paper from Amazon; $12.18 per roll. Much cheaper.

judykay

I trace my hand quilting designs on wash away fabric stabilizer and it works great. I pin it to my quilt top, do my hand quilting and it completely washes out after I am finished. Works like a charm for me and saves many tries of trying to find a marking tool that works well on dark or multicolored fabrics and that washes out with no trace.

MicheleC

I’m interested to try this technique, too. Has anyone tried using the Crayola Ultra Clean washable markets on the paper? I know some mark their tops with them and have good results. I’m just curious if that would avoid the problem of ink or graphite not coming out of the thread or fabric.