Paper piecing query...

Try good old fashioned tracing paper (like the onion skin kind). You can see through it -- but it tears away very easily.

Also remember to shorten your stitch length. And if you have never used an Add-A-Quarter ruler -- they are PERFECT for paper piecing!

I love Paper Piecing! Precision made easy!

Have fun with it!

1) Right now my favorite is Carol Doak's paper. You can order some from her website at . I bought a ton of it from an online shop that was going out of business. 2) The other paper I have used is from That Patchwork Place. I had trouble finding it again when I ran out.

3) I have cut down 9x12 newsprint from children's drawing tablets. It's a lot heavier than the specially-made paper, but it works.

4) In desperation I have used 20lb copy paper. Not a good idea but OK for truly desperate circumstances. I wouldn't use it for pieces with really spiky points or with small pieces. It is harder than the others to remove.

A friend of mine uses vellum from the over-priced LQS. There is a fabric foundation that JoAnn's sells. It DOES NOT tear out. I'd use copy paper before I used either of those.

Whatever you use, it has to go nicely through your printer.

Thanks for the paper suggestions!

- dlm. in central MA

My personal absolute favorite is printer size sheets of newsprint available here

bought a boat load of it, it's so inexpensive. And practically tears itself off when you are done, it is so easy. Karen, Queen of Squishies

I just can't bring myself to buy special paper for this. Recycled tissue works fine (but avoid the kind that feels sort of plastic). Or if you need to print off a lot of templates, the cheapest paper that will go through your printer. If you don't get every eensy scrap of paper off, not to worry. It's on the back, it doesn't show, and it's (mainly) cellulose just like cotton :-) Roberta in D

"- dlm." schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:p8udnb9-i4t-T4TVnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com...

There is also the method that uses freezer paper and you sew against the fold of the paper instead of through it. This is shown very well in the book "Mariner's Compass: A New Direction" (I think that is the name and the author is, I think, Judy Mathieson???) Some people love this method, you can reuse the paper several times and there is no paper to tear off.

Pati, in Phx

- dlm. wrote:

Can't confirm the title - though it has to be pretty close! but the author is definitely Judy Mathieson. I have tried the method for simple things, but I'm not sure how complex you could go. Obviously, 'in sections' to simplify the number of crossing seams, would be fine. I haven't *tried* it with crossing seams, but can't see 'in the abstract' how it would work. I might yet try it - but not at the moment. I'm climbing a steep hill for a while >g< . In message , Pati C. writes

Patti and Pati - I've contacted my local library. They will try to obtain a copy of Judy Mathieson's book, Mariner's Compass: New Directions from another library. Thanks for the tip!

- dlm. in central MA

My printer likes Carol Doak's best. It has a tendancy to eat the That Patchwork Place stuff which is a bit more flimsy. One day it will break the printer! The Carol D stuff tears off just as easily.

I also like Stitch 'n Tear as you can use it for hand sewing and then tear it out. I draw the design on it with a pencil though. Its specially good for bigger designs as it's wide.

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)

1) Right now my favorite is Carol Doak's paper. You can order some from her

Dawn: Cindi Edgerton prints her patterns on the same tissue that is used for garment sewing .... that beige stuff. She has a Mariner's Compass WH ... just one block plus flying geese. Price is reasonable. I can't copy .... MY computer program won't allow me to do that .... so I don't have a link for you. Do a search for A Very Special Collection, all one word, no capitals. You will get to her site quickly. Then look into the Little bits patterns OR search with word mariners. HTH. NAYY, but I really like the patterns and Cindi's excellent instruction.

I use Architectural Vellum from the stationery store. It comes in 17 x 22 so I just cut them in half and run them through the printer. It strips away very easily from the block without leaving loads of pieces.

Lenore

This should be it >

Rita L.

Yes, thank you Rita!

Great pattern, Pat! Thanks for the link Rita!

- dlm. in central MA