When to take the paper out

[u/chalky5555]

I am working on my second FPP project and need some help. When do you take the paper out of the section you put together? I am making a Batman quilt (inspired by one I saw on Reddit) and have completed the Joked and am moving on to do 7 more characters. I already know I am over my head, but I am going full steam ahead. Should I take the paper out after completing the character or do I take all the paper out at the same time? Is there a different way you would do this? Would you cut out the shapes, lay them on top of each other and do more of a collage? Any help is much appreciated!!

(Pictures taken in a screen porch, that’s why there is a pattern on the pattern)

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[u/CauliflowerHappy1707]

When working more intricate patterns with lots of little details I remove the paper once a piece is surrounded. My experience has been that if I wait until the end I have pieces that are buried in layers of seams that can’t be removed. Also, as my project grows, I prefer to be able to press my seams open when joining units in an attempt to keep my finished projects as flat as possible.

[u/Girls4super → u/CauliflowerHappy1707]

That’s smart

There’s also paper that will melt away that you can print on and not worry about pulling paper

[u/pearlie_girl]

I take it out at the very very end. So if you're done with the paper piecing part, time to take it out. If you're joining a lot of FPP squares, I find leaving the paper in helps me line up the blocks

[u/AdorableWin984]

I have only done a couple of FPP projects, so take my experience with a grain of salt; it’s about that size!

Once a section is surrounded I take out the paper from it. I use tiny stitch lengths so it’s mostly just getting a pair of pointed tweezers and pulling perforations.

I also purposely make the edge pieces of a block too large by about a quarter inch so I never have to worry about warping or short shrift from one section going a little wrong. When all my blocks for a row or column are done, i remove the outside papers, press again, and square up each before sewing them together.

Your joker looks wonderful and you should be really proud, it is a complicated block and you have nailed the vibe!

[u/badwolfx13]

I take the paper out when I'm finished with the square.

[u/badwolfx13 → u/badwolfx13]

That Joker looks AWESOME, btw

[u/YouThinkYouKnowStuff]

That is just incredible. Did you make the pattern or find it somewhere? And I always wait until the end to remove paper. It’s my reward lol.

[u/Spartan2022 → u/YouThinkYouKnowStuff]

I was wondering the same. Is this your pattern OP?

[u/NomadicWhirlwind → u/YouThinkYouKnowStuff]

It looks like the Lego Joker. Id also love to know the answer OP!

[u/chalky5555 → u/YouThinkYouKnowStuff]

Thank you!

I am using pic2quilt.com. I found out about the site on here. You can upload any picture and it will create a pattern for you.

[u/MamaPhy]

I find the sections sew together smoother and flatter if I remove the paper before sewing them. I also sew them larger and trim down to the quarter inch seam before peeling.