I try to avoid the kitchen as much as possible, much to my husband's dismay. He being a meat, potatoes and gravy man gets nervous when he calls from the office at 5:30 pm to ask, "What's for dinner, honey?" and I reply, "I don't know. Whatever's in the freezer that can be defrosted in a few minutes." It was on one of these freezer forays that I rediscovered freezer paper. It's not just for keeping meat from tasting like the inside of your Frigidaire. It has so many quilter's functions that I no longer keep it in my kitchen. It stays in my sewing room.

First of all, what is freezer paper? If you're not familiar with it, the best way I know to describe it is that it is a combination of waxed paper fused to white typing paper. It comes in a roll much like plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It is produced by several companies, but I buy it from my local food chain under their name. There is a standard size of 87.5 square feet (1'3" x 23.33 yds). Just think what you could do with that much fabric!

But what do I, the quilter, do with it? you anxiously ask. Here are 10 quilters' reasons to take that freezer paper out of your kitchen and into your sewing room!

1. Copying templates from a magazine onto cardboard has always been a detested chore. Tracing onto white paper, then cutting it out, then tracing around the flimsy paper onto cardboard was frustrating and inaccurate at times. Now I trace from the magazine or book using see-through freezer paper (paper side up). Then, with a warm iron I press the freezer paper (waxed side down) directly onto the cardboard (usually discarded cereal boxes). The freezer paper with the appropriate markings is now fused to the cardboard (don't try this with template plastic), ready to be cut out. Instant templates!

2. I like to do some machine applique on a quilt now and then. I have experimented with various commercial products designed for the purpose of stabilizing the fabric. I don't like them. Newsprint and typing paper work, but the paper does have a tendency to shift. Now I can take pieces of freezer paper cut an inch or two larger than the piece needing to be appliqued, iron them to the underside of my block where the applique has been basted (or attached with Wonder Under) and then I machine applique as before. The freezer paper can be torn off easily from underneath when you are through.

3. Many quilters use freezer paper to help them with hand applique. Cut freezer paper the FINISHED size of your applique piece. Iron that to the wrong side of your fabric. Cut out fabric with freezer paper still attached including seam allowance. Iron under seam allowance. The freezer paper keeps the border of your finished piece easy to see. Now you're ready to hand applique. Either pull out the freezer paper before attaching, or, if sewn under the applique piece, make a slit on the underside of the block and pull it out.

4. Those of us with computers have begun experimenting with printing our own quilt labels and even designs on fabric. I have an ink jet printer. I understand this is possible with laser printers and daisy wheels. How do I do it? First, on my computer I design what I want to appear---quilt labels, graphics, little poems, etc. Next I print on a piece of paper to see if it is exactly what I want. Then, take a piece of freezer paper cut to the size of 8-1/2" x 11" (standard paper size). Iron that onto the wrong side of fabric. Trim fabric to 8-1/2" x 11". Now you have a very stiff piece of fabric. Place in your printer feed tray, paper side DOWN (one at a time). Select what you want to print and PRINT! The ultimate in designer fabric.

5. Do you sometimes yearn for new, one of a kind quilting stencil patterns but groan at the prospect of tediously cutting out a mylar stencil? Well, freezer paper can help you if you can reach back in your memory banks to your elementary school days. Remember those white paper snowflakes you made in art class? Do you think you can make them again? Only this time, fold freezer paper. It may take a little playing and experimenting but be"in small. Cut a piece 6" or 8" square. Fold diagonally, vertically, horizontally. Fold the corners in. Leave them out. Now cut. To get teardrop/leaf shapes, cut a shallow half-circle. Cut out triangles, squares, PLAY. Now, unfold. Iron freezer paper to fabric where you want to quilt. Place on hard surface and with a sharp pencil or other marking device, trace open spaces. If freezer paper comes loose under unmarked fabric carefully refuse. Do NOT iron over where you have already marked---heat can permanently set markings. Your imagination is your only limitation.

6. Following this same principle, try the above method for Hawaiian quilting. After you have prepared your two pieces of fabric (background and design fabric), try making your design with the snowflake method. When you have a satisfactory pattern on the freezer paper, iron it to the fabric to be cut out. Now you can trace the pattern (cut out sections) with a sharp #2 pencil. Cut out. Proceed as directed for making Hawaiian applique.

7. Do you enjoy stenciling or does the prospect of a one-of-a-kind fabric design or block appeal to you? Use the snowflake method described above to create a unique pattern. Unfold freezer paper and iron onto fabric (light colored works best). Using acrylic/fabric stencil paints, paint your fabric (dabbing lightly with a brush or makeup sponge). Heat set with a hot, dry iron.

8. Do you need to label your quilt blocks with your name for your guild's block exchange or raffle? Do you want to remember size, etc. about a block before you put it in a box for storage waiting to be made into a quilt? Write the information on a piece of freezer paper and iron it to the block (either front or back). It is easily peeled off when needed.

9. Do you want to see how your set of blocks will look using your selected (and purchased) sashing fabric (without first cutting the fabric)? Cut long, thin (1-3 inches) strips of freezer paper. Line blocks up on uncut sashing fabric. Iron freezer strips to blocks and sashing fabric, overlapping both to "connect" them to each other. Attach to all sides of blocks. Now you can hold it up for horizontal view. If this potential block arrangement with sashing choice is not to your liking simply peel off freezer paper and begin again. This method is also good for Show & Tell at your guild meeting when you want to show off your blocks or simply ask for ideas on how to set them. All the blocks can be ironed to a bed sheet or large piece of muslin so they can be seen all at once.

10. This space is for your idea! I gave you my 9 reasons/uses. I'm sure I have started the creative juices flowing. Take a trip right now to either your kitchen to pull out that roll of freezer paper or take a trip to the super market and buy some. Take it to your sewing room and use it to create a new quilt. And if all else fails, use it to wrap meat for storage in your freezer!

You are free to reprint this article for your enjoyment. I only ask that you include my name and e-mail address: Debby Kratovil (kratovil@his.com).