How to Use Butcher Paper in Quilting

Butcher paper is a great tool to use in quilting projects. There is no need to mark you project with chalk, disappearing ink pens or even pencils. These methods all require some amount of clean up when you have finished your quilt. Butcher paper requires no clean up and can be reapplied several times. Butcher paper in quilting aides the quilter in cutting out nice crisp shapes and creates nice lines to work around for a perfect quilt stitching design.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Butcher paper (also known as freezer wrap) Scissors for cutting paper Quilt pattern Fabric for quilt project Batting for quilt project Scissors for cutting fabric Sewing machine Pins Quilt needle Quilting thread Pencil Iron

1. Trace the pattern pieces, in reverse, onto the paper side of the butcher paper. Cut the pieces out.

2. Place the butcher paper shape on the front of the fabric for your quilt project, with the wax side facing down. Iron the butcher paper to the fabric.

3. Cut along the edges of the butcher paper pattern pieces to cut the fabric pieces out.

4. Peel the butcher paper from the fabric.

5. Iron the butcher paper pattern pieces to the fabric again, until all quilt pieces are cut out. One butcher paper pattern piece can be reused several times.

6. Sew the blocks and quilt together according to the pattern instructions.

7. Layer the backing, batting and the top of your quilt together. Baste the quilt sandwich thoroughly.

8. Trace the pattern for the quilting template, in reverse, on the paper side of the butcher paper.

9. Cut out the butcher paper quilting template.

10. Place the butcher paper quilting template in the center of your quilt sandwich. Iron the butcher paper quilting template to the quilt.

11. Make your quilting stitches around the edges of the butcher paper quilting template, using the quilting needle and quilting thread.

12. Remove the butcher paper quilting template after it has been completely transferred to the quilt with quilting stitches.

13. Reposition the butcher paper template next to the first quilting stitches and iron in place.

14. Repeat step 11 and 12 until the quilt sandwich has been completely quilted.

15. Trim the sides of the quilt and bind the edges.

Tips & Warnings

• Butcher paper will also work well in cutting out applique shapes, especially those on dark fabric where markings may be hard to see. Butcher paper is found in your grocery aisle near the aluminum foil and wax paper. If you are thrifty, save the scraps of butcher paper for smaller projects and save the used butcher paper until it is no longer usable.

[Susanh]

on 11/12/2008 Interesting technique! Thank you for sharing with us.