VELLUM vs FREEZER PAPER -- Considerations

[Barbara B.]

As you get ready for Game On! the choice of paper for foundations is something to consider.

Having made months 1 and 2 I have some thoughts on paper choice.

Vellum is recommended by the designer and pattern instructions show that. If you want the best result, simply use Vellum as the pattern directs.

Some people prefer Freezer paper. It works fine for the smaller patterns--Month 1 was easy for me to use. Many of the border blocks will also be quite easy to make with freezer paper patterns.

Freezer paper DOES NOT WORK WELL for Month 2--there are 6 pages taped together to make the 4 large corners of the Medallion center. Not being able to see through the Freezer paper very well, if at all, made it more challenging to get fabrics placed as they needed to be. AND Becky strongly advises against trimming the entire corner before adding the circles and completing the center--which eliminates the primary advantage of Freezer Paper--being able to use the pattern again and again.

Advantages of Freezer Paper:
Fewer pages need to be printed as patterns are reused.
You don't sew through the paper so stitch length does not need to be shortened.

Disadvantages:
You can't see through it very well, if at all
The pattern for Month 2 has 6 pages taped together, it is thick and awkward to use from Freezer paper

The same concerns apply to newsprint or copy paper for Month 2.

My recommendation:

1. Try freezer paper for the small units, like Month 1, if you prefer that method
2. Use Vellum for Month 2

UPDATE: I tried Vellum for month 2 using the Freezer paper method, folding back the paper and not sewing through it. I had NO LUCK keeping the fabric glued to the vellum. So I will sew through the Vellum for the large Month 2 Corner blocks.

This project is fun and will teach us a lot. And you get to "create your own adventure" when we get to those various borders.

Barbara,
Will the Vellum fold like the freezer paper to reuse?
Linda Steele
Texas

[Barbara B.]

Linda, that’s a great idea. I am going to try it. Lots of glue will be required to keep the fabrics on the paper but it might be worth it. Thanks!

[Barbara B.]

I gave this a good try and had NO LUCK keeping the fabric glued to the vellum. Being able to see through the vellum for Month 2 is so important. So I will sew through the Vellum for these large Corner blocks for the Medallion center. I need "the fastest method that gives me the result I want". For me, that is printing several pages of vellum and sewing through it for Month 2.

[Barbara B.]

Linda, send an email to [email protected] to let them know your name does not show on your profile. They can fix it internally.

[Helen W.]

I love using Kim Diehl printer Freezer Paper. I get it at C&T Publishing. They also have a Quilter Freezer paper for the printer
that I have not used. I love vellum for a number of uses. It is great for tricky paper piecing because you can see thru it. If you
want to check and see if your block or unit is accurate you can make a copy and lay it on top of your piecing.You seams should be exactly in line with the lines. Photo below.
Also I print out and tape together big applique designs for placement. In my printer I run vellum one sheet at a time because
it seems to have some static cling to it and if I put a bunch in the paper area they stick together and pull sheet thru unevenly.
Don't iron vellum with a hot iron or it will roll up like a roll of toilet paper. You can flatten back out by flipping it to the other
side and iron again. I am looking forward to trying the rotary blade a quilt friend gave me that is supposed to perforate the paper
to make it easy to pull off. Have not tried it yet. HelenW

Have you tried this new rotary cutter yet, and do you like it? Thanks!

[Helen W.]

No I have not tried it. My quilting friend used it on a paper pieced log cabin and said it worked great.
You line the ruler up on the line and roll the rotary blade over it. Then it is very easy to fold on that
perforated line and pull the paper off after you have finished the unit. She said it works best on
lines that are not too short. I will be interested in trying it. HelenW

Thanks Helen. I'm not really fond of paper piecing so anything that makes it easier is good!

[Helen W.]

Kathleen F. Bet you will love paper piecing by the end of 2026. I have been doing it for decades
and for accuracy of weird points it is perfect. I will be more than willing to help you with any things
that give you problems. But with Barbara Black and Becky Goldsmith leading the group you will
have success, I have no doubts about that. The mirror image is what confuses most people.
With vellum you can see thru to see if it is going to cover the area you need to cover. Before
vellum if I had really hard angles (look at some of Judy Neimeyers patterns to see what I mean),
I would take the thread out of the top of the machine put the length on baste and stitch the lines.
Then you would see the holes on the blank side of the newsprint where you put the fabric pieces to see where the fabric needs. Another way is to lay the paper on a light box and trace the lines to
the side of the newsprint that you will be putting the fabric on. Just looking at the blank side
of the newsprint and thinking that is where the block will be freaks some people out.
to cover. It worked, but I like vellum much better. I have done the freezer paper method, but
it kept unsticking and then I was totally frustrated. I have always loved the forum for inspiration
and help and helping others, so get ready for a fun, fun year. Are you new to The Quilt Show?
HelenW

Thanks for the encouragement Helen! I'm a pretty longtime quilter and have pushed my way through some paper piecing and have always said "never again!" But this BOM called to me and hopefully by the end I'll have conquered paper piecing! I've followed The Quilt Show for years but never done the BOM. On to adventure!

[lholzhu]

Thanks Barbara for your insight on using vellum. I have never used it, but look forward to learning. I looked back to the Show # 2401 when Becky talked about using it and various techniques on that BOM, probably very similar to 2026. I HIGHLY recommend people watching it while waiting for upcoming instructions. I learned a lot and I am sure it will be reinforced with upcoming videos. One thing that was emphasized then will be done again…not matter if you are a beginner or experienced READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS. Becky has planned everything out to take the work out for you.

i am using my fabric stash…and enjoyed picking fabrics and labeling them. I have a few I am unsure of, but cannot wait for this adventure to begin.

[Barbara B.]

You are so right. I am almost done both of my Game On! quilts through Month 3. I have watched all the videos several times. Becky is presenting a “Master Class” on paper piecing. There is so much content to help everyone. Today I wrote my Month 1 blog and prepped for the month 1 LIVE December 29, more instruction coming there.

Thanks for the reminder Becky’s previous BOM Sizzle show is worth watching too. I will do a separate topic about that.

Get ready to have fun!

[Kyla V.]

Is there different types of "vellum"? Because I bought a pad of "vellum" and I can barely see my hand underneath one sheet of it.

[Susan W.]

I noticed that vinyl is available for purchase from TQS, recommended for BOM 2026. What will this be used for? I just want to know if I can use what I already have or need to purchase. Thank you.

[Barbara B.]

Becky uses vinyl to make an overlay for appliqué placement. As there is very little appliqué in this quilt there are workarounds I will discuss in Month 2.
If you do lots of appliqué projects her method is a good one to learn, it avoids making marks on the front of the quilt.

[Aimee M.]

What are you all printing on? I don't have an inkjet printer at home - we just have an old laser (I think) that my husband uses for work stuff. I should probably order my vellum, I've slipped on getting my supplies together whoops I also have some Carol Doak foundation paper, might try that out as well. And maybe i need to get a printer?

[Barbara B.]

The Carol Doak Foundation paper will work for month 1 even though you can’t see through it.

Be sure to watch all FOUR Videos before beginning.

[Carol R.]

I am using June Taylor perfect piecing foundation paper. It is just as transparent as vellum, and it doesn't curl like vellum when ironing the seams.

[Pegi C.]

Usually ink jet printers are used because of the heat problem with laser printers. I'm not sure if regular patterns will work or not on laser printers.

having a laser printer at home i went to the library to use their inkjet printer with my freezer paper for printing. the ink never dried & just smears. can you give specifics like what type paper & any special printer settings. i would like to try this method

[Barbara B.]

Be sure you are printing on the matte paper side of freezer paper, not the plastic coating side.

[Heather A.]

Do you know what GSM the Vellum is because I am in Australia and the C&T one is hard to find?

[Barbara B.]

I’m sorry, I don’t know for sure. In a search I found one seller list it as 17# weight. I don’t know how that compares to GSM.

[Rebecca B.]

Is anyone having trouble printing the vellum? I've tried adhering to a sheet of plain paper and it still won't feed through. Are there particular brands that work better? I used the freezer paper method for Month 1, but agree with Barbara that vellum will be much better this month, but cannot get the pattern printed. Please help!

[Barbara B.]

I sometimes find the first page of vellum runs through the printer empty then the next page prints. I hope someone else can give you helpful tips.
There are different brands--I got mine from Amazon, just the cheap stuff. The second order was different, 5 years apart, and is thicker than the first one I used. I prefer the thinner. C&T sells quality translucent paper and is what Becky recommends.

[Rebecca B.]

Thank you very much Barbara and for the reminder of what Becky recommends. I was just coming back here to say that I did finally manage to get copies made by attaching the vellum to typing paper, but it was very cumbersome, sometimes still not working or jamming. I ran out of the vellum I had on hand but not before getting 3 of the four sets printed. That will get me going until I get more vellum.

I also want to take this moment to say how much I appreciate having you here for all of us on the forum. Everyone's comments are helpful, but it is a great comfort knowing you are here to guide us and having your videos in addition to Becky's AND your blog. I've learned so much from you. Thank you for all the time you give us that makes that possible.

[Barbara B.]

Thank you very much Barbara and for the reminder of what Becky recommends. I was just coming back here to say that I did finally manage to get copies made by attaching the vellum to typing paper, but it was very cumbersome, sometimes still not working or jamming. I ran out of the vellum I had on hand but not before getting 3 of the four sets printed. That will get me going until I get more vellum.

I also want to take this moment to say how much I appreciate having you here for all of us on the forum. Everyone's comments are helpful, but it is a great comfort knowing you are here to guide us and having your videos in addition to Becky's AND your blog. I've learned so much from you. Thank you for all the time you give us that makes that possible.

Wow, thank YOU so much for your kind words, Rebecca! I do put a lot of time into the BOM for The Quilt Show but I enjoy teaching people what I have learned. None of us is born knowing how to do these things. Someone took time to teach me, so I am passing it on. And there is more than one way to do most things in quilting so learning/trying a variety of methods lets you find what works best for you. I want everyone to be successful and find joy in their journey as I do. Thanks for taking a moment to comment.

Also I think The Quilt Show provides a great amount of instruction for our FREE BOM, from both the designer and me. I don’t think many BOMs do as much to help everyone step by step. Our commitment to our Star Members is top notch, in my opinion.

[Cassy L.]

I ordered 3 packages of vellum from the TQS shop. Instead of 30 sheets per pack there are only 25 sheets. Will that still be enough for this BOM? I'm willing to try other papers and also the freezer paper method but really like using vellum.

[Barbara B.]

Yes, it’s enough. The pattern instructions say 66 sheets are needed.