Re: Paper for machine paper pieccing in uk

Sally,

Can't help with what paper to buy (I use only freezer paper, folding the paper back, so that I don't actually stitch through the paper), but if you need to do many blocks of the same pattern, you can "copy" the pattern using your sewing machine:

Print one copy (or draw by hand), place this on top of other pieces of paper (you can staple them together). Keep an old needle in your sewing machine, take the top and bobbin threads of and stitch on the lines. Now you've got a bunch of copies.

Like I said, I use freezer paper now, but before I used (1) copy paper, which is a bear to remove, (2) stitch and tear (same, I think), (3) soluble stuff (expensive!!!) and pattern paper (the thin stuff, almost like tissue paper - similar to what bought clothes patterns are made of).

HTH (at least a little bit?)

Hanne in London

I can't help but I have a question, what is it with the paper and quilts, I never heard about it, the only way I have ever workt with paper is with templates in de honeycone form you sow together by hand.

Sally look for something about newspaper weight. With a short stitch it should tear out OK

a couple of basic intorductions to FPP (Foundation Paper Piecing)

and two well-known exponents of this art -

Imagine drawing your block pattern on paper and using a stitch-and-flip sewing sequence to cover all the patches by sewing fabric onto the paper, then removing the paper when the block is complete.

Generally used for "picture blocks" and miniatures, or producing very accurate blocks with odd angles

Here in the US -- I use tracing paper -- a very thin paper that I purchase at the office supply places. Do you have something like that there?

Kate in MI

Thanks, I will study it and try to understand:)

OK Sally - you did ask!!

From office supplies, I used to get 50gsm weight paper; Flip chart paper is also 50gsm, and is beautiful to use (large sheets, too); Plain greaseproof - not the stuff with wax on - is what I use when I'm going to use a lot; You can get Carol Doak's foundation paper from Creative Grids

+ lots of others; I have also used Golden Threads paper (bit expensive for this purpose, but it does last ages), usually advertised for quilting through;

I don't know whether the greaseproof or Golden Threads paper would go through the printer? and flip chart would be too big; but apart from that ... . In message , Sally Swindells writes

Sorry I can't be more help. PP is not my "thing" - I am more into applique.

Good luck

I think I understand and wil try tonight to make a block, just want to know the technique, mayby I can find use for it in the future. I love applique, I made some babyquilts with sunbonnet girls and boys for instance many years ago, and know I'm thinking about to make one with an Art Nouveau design.

Sally,

I'm not in the UK, but if you don't mind hand-tracing your pattern, then tissue paper is the way to go, unless you can afford the water soluble stuff that goes through the printer. Our LQS BOTM this month is PP, and they sold some PP paper to go with. It's a really weird paper, translucent, but like wax paper or something - a real B!+(# to tear. It'll be tissue paper for me once this stuff goes bye bye. Also, I have used printer paper; get the cheapest you can find that will still go through the printer.

Try scoring the sewn lines with the back of your stitch-ripper 'head', Lisa. That has made removing paper *so* much easier for me. . In message , Batik Freak writes

-- Thank you everyone for your advice. It was paper that would go in my printer I particularly wanted as I have programmes that will automatically print the block patterns. Seemed silly not to use the easy way if I had it!

Thank you Pat - I hadn't thought of looking in my Creative grids catalogue - I have lashed out on some Carol Doak Paper, and bought some replacement cutter blades to make up the £10 minimum. Then I can use the old blades which need replacing for cutting up the paper! Thanks also for the hint about flip chart paper - I think I know where there is some!

So thanks for all the handy hints - all printed out and put in a nice new file so I can find them again. (I'm doing an Autumn/Winter sortout. We downsized house 5 years ago, but somehow possessions have started expanding, and storage has crept out of storage spaces, so am starting it before it gets out of hand rather than after

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