By: MBHayes503
Re: foundations using paper - hints

A few hints on foundation piecing with regular office paper.

1.  Make sure you use a small stitch.  18-20 stitches per inch or 1.2-1.8
mm.  Some people recommend a bigger needle (size 14 or 90), but I find
this is not neccessary.

2.  After you stitch each seam, CREASE the paper.  Fold the paper along
the seam line that you just stitched.  This simple step weakens the paper
and makes it easier to remove.  (Remember how you crease a piece of paper
if you want to tear a straight line? - same principle at work here)

3.  When you remove the paper, hold the seam with your fingers and remove
the paper directly opposite your fingers.  Inch up the seam in this way
and you should never be in the situation where you are tugging on an
unsupported seam.  You are always stabilizing the seam with your fingers.
I stabilize with my left hand and rip with my right hand.

4.  DO NOT remove the paper until you have all sides sewn.  This means you
do all of your sashing or border before you remove the paper.  It is hard
to leave that paper on until the blocks are set.  However, if you do this,
you will have perfect blocks!

I prefer paper piecing for machine work as muslin foundation shrink
slightly.  Another advantage of paper is you never have to worry about the
stretch of the foundation fabric.