Foundation paper or phone book pages????

Tonight I started the quilt VIRGINIA BOUND by Bonnie Hunter from the book Scraps and Shirttails.

It's the first time I use foundation paper and the first time I piece. Now I was wondering if I couldn't use an old phone book for that simple drawing, sort of kite, instead of the expensive foundation paper? I could use that paper for more detailed piecing.
Did anyone use old phone book pages for piecing?

If there ever was a quilt to get rid of scraps, this one is! Even the tiniest pieces fit in the corners.
Well I'll be off to bed now and dream about scraps!

Michèle

I have heard of a lot of people using old phone books for foundation piecing.

People do use it. I would think all the words would confuse you where your lines are. I use tracing paper. It's cheap

this lady has a course on craftsy.com and shes uses phone books for piecing

her name is pepper cory

http://www.craftsy.com/class/Scrap-Quilting/57

I would use the phonebook! It's free and works just the same as the expensive paper. It only ends up in the bin anyway!

FINALLY ...... a good use for those old phone books!

I think that sounds like a great idea!!! recycle those stupid books. i get seriously like ten a year. they come in packs of two and are a waste of money....

@ Thanks Lisa for the link to Pepper Cory. I didn't know her yet and bookmarked her now for further informations on scrapquilting

I also use tracing paper. I buy it at Walmart in the section where they have art supplies. It's inexpensive and works really well. Do you know of a place in Luxembourg City where you could buy some? It really is great for paper-piecing. I would think if you trace on a phone page with a black marker the lines would be visible enough so you wouldn't get confused. I'm just wondering how easy it is to transfer the pattern onto it. It might be hard to see the pattern through the print. The only way I'd bother with it is if I can't find tracing paper.

I think the phone book paper would be fine IF you don't need to see marks through the page. If you are doing a simple strip block where the pieces are sewn edge to edge, the phone book work work fine. I also think it would not be a good idea to use steam to press on the phone book pages. :)

I've used the phone book pages for 'string quilts', but as the ladies mentioned, lines wouldn't show up well; and pressing when using phone book pages wouldn't be a good idea. When paper pieceing I use plain tracing paper (sometimes just plain paper if I'm out of tracing paper).

Lin

You can use phone books and even old newspapers. I have used them both and unless you rub the fabric hard over the newsprint it will be fine. I have used both with white and off white fabric with no problem. My favorite inexpensive paper is the one from the Doctor's office you can buy it in rolls and it tears so easily.

Well thanks a lot for all the information.

I used foundation paper so far, but my neighbour gave me his old phone book . Tomorrow I'm going to try that and tell you how it worked. I think it might work as there are only 2 lines which I have to see, sort of a kite. And I do sort of string pieces along with all kind of odd shapes of scrap.

I learned my lesson in paper piecing today too, as I forgot my 1/4 seam allowance on my first blocks. I was so eager to trim the blocks ......... well they were only scraps.
But I'm able to get rid of a lot of scrappy fabrics and it might even look good in the end. We'll see

greetings from the Grand Duchy

Michèle

Michele
I have used phone books a LOT. Tears very easily - much better than the stronger bond of copy paper.
My preference is scrap paper which has the texture of construction paper. I don't know how that would be called in the Grand Duchy, but here I buy pads of it at our dollar stores. Really easy to remove after stitching.

If you are close to where they print newspapers sometimes you can get the ends of rolls of clean newsprint, for free most times. Each roll will have 20 or more feet left on it and be as wide as a newspaper page.

I reuse my printer paper instead of tossing it. I think paper with a lot of writing on it would be hard to use, but that is just me.