Paper piecing -

[Jocelyn W.]

Has anyone had experience paper piecing from a tissue paper pattern?
I loved the result when piecing the feathered star in the 2009 BOM and have picked up a couple of small quilt patterns. However, the fragile paper is daunting and the only solution I can think of is to copy onto regular printer paper. Hoping for a better idea!

[Jocelyn W.]

I agree about the bold print - I find that annoying!

I generally use that newsprint type paper that you buy for paper piecing and I always copy the originals onto it. That way, I still have the original to use again and the purchased paper has just the right thickness to hold up but tear away easily.

Nancy in NY

[Jocelyn W.]

Thanks, Nancy. Copying the pattern parts will have to do. May just copy onto graph paper. The tissue will not lay flat enough for tracing, print is rather faint. Another lesson in internet shopping from an unfamiliar designer. And I thought this would be quick and fun!

[Jocelyn W.]

I always use newsprint which I buy at a office supply store. I read about it somewhere ages ago so I thought I would try it. Unfortunately it comes in pads of 9" by 12" so you have to cut it down with a paper cutter, but it is worth it! Load only one sheet at a time into the printer when you do it otherwise every printer I have ever had grabs more than one piece. I made Lisa's Quilt (see the picture in the Gallery) this way. The wonderful thing about newsprint is that it is so easy to remove. Unlike papers sold for paper piecing, it almost falls off in your hands when you are ready to take the paper out. It never, ever pulls on the stitches. If I make a mistake I just tape it with removable tape and use it again. It is also very, very cheap. I do all my paper piecing this way because it is so very easy and inexpensive. Also, watch Carol Doak's video that comes with her book "50 Fabulous Paper Pieced Stars". It was an eye-opener! Once I started basting the meeting places like she does, I never get anything out of place. I took the book out of the library and it still had the DVD in it. I liked it so much I bought it.

[Jocelyn W.]

Jo, I'll take all your pointers and especially appreciate the advice to watch Carol Doak's video. I'm away from my quilt library at the moment, know I have one of her books and have tried a sample or two from it. If it is not the book you recommend, I'll try to locate it and watch the video. When it came to the BOM, I just followed Sue's instructions and found that it worked for me. Meanwhile, I'm learning that my technique can be improved at every stage. Again, thanks for
the extra help.