Every now and then i get questions about the basics of sewing on paper, why, how, what's best to use, etc. And since it's what i do day in and day out i thought i'd jot down just a few basic tips if you'd like to try it for yourself.
Which paper - Its always best to choose paper which is of heavier weight than regular office paper and not try to sew papers that are too thin. I find a light card stock easiest to work with. If you would like to use a thin paper, lightly adhere it to a layer of heavier paper (ensure glue is dry before sewing, trust me).
Paper size - don't try and sew paper that is too big. I find pieces a little smaller than A4 size are about the biggest that can easily be manouvered though the neck of my machine.
Needles - Sewing on paper blunts needles very quickly. Always change needles when going from paper to fabric. This goes for machine sewing and hand sewing with embroidery needles too.
Paper dust - Puncturing the paper fibers creates a lot of fine dust and you'll need to clean the sewing machine often. Surface dust can be wiped or blown away, and you can even use your vacuum cleaner with a small head attachment to remove the dust too.
Loose ends - if you like a neat finish, pull any loose threads through to the back of the paper and secure with sticky tape. This isn't really necessary though, as loose ends can be nice too.
Stitch length - keep the stitches at a decent length. You don't want the needle puncturing the paper too close together or it becomes a perforation line and you'll get the two sides separating.
Just a couple of things to keep in mind. It's such an easy thing to try with lovely results, have fun :)
