I have read about string piecing and crazy patchwork blocks being sewn onto muslin first, is this really necessary ?
Today I had a play with some scraps using these methods without using the muslin backing and after pressing my blocks seem to hold up ok.
What do others do?
Is it just used to strengthen the block because you are using fabrics cut with no regard for the straight of grain? I also guess it depends on how you will quilt it, generally speaking I guess one would not want to spend hours hand quilting a scrappy quilt, yet I suppose that is just what our quilting Grandmothers did!

Gal

there is no LAW that says you have to use foundation...the quilt police seldom check to see what you have really done :)
the foundations make it easier when using cuts that may have bias, keep your blocks stable....when crazy quilting especially the stability really helps if you are embellishing your blocks. If you use fancy fabrics some may stretch out of shape while doing your hand work, the foundation helps keep this from happening and with string quilts it is so much easier to sew the strips to a foundation and then square up, if you are just sewing the strips together the block can stretch out of shape and be wonky...does not necessarily mean its wrong. another consideration...foundation pieced quilts can be quite heavy...along with all the extra seams you have a whole nother layer of fabric. I love making both types of blocks, crazy and string,..can not imagine not using a foundation, but that is just me, know one says i HAVE TO.

Thanks ckcowl, I think I am best to try the muslin and compare the two before I get carried away!

Gal

One of the members in our quilt group always uses nappy/diaper liners. They are very lightweight, but strong, and CHEAP.

You might want to look at Bonnie Hunter's blog - I think it's Quiltville. She has a wonderful tutorial for string quilts - you can even use old telephone book pages as your foundation.

I just finished a string quilt my Grandmother pieces in 1946 on newspaper. I prefer to use lt weight muslin, it does not need to be removed.

String quilts may not need the foundation as much as crazy quilts.
If you are using "strings" that are cut on grain they should hold their shape nicely without a foundation.
Crazy quilts have all kinds of bias cuts, different fabric types, and it will help to use a foundation with these :D:D:D

I actually like the extra heft of the quilt when using a foundation fabric. I also use up what I consider ugly or "what was I thinking?" fabric for this purpose. Doesn't have to be muslin.

I don't follow any of the new 'rules' when making crazy quilts. I use no foundation, I don't make blocks, and I don't plan ahead except for color theme. It's the only type of 'scrap' quilt I like, so it's the only type I make.

I just start sewing pieces together, trimming as I go so I have a straight edge to join the next piece to. When the size gets hard to handle easily, I start again. Those "chunks" get joined the same way the separate scraps did. The hand embroidery on every seam stabilizes all the edges and the binding secures it all. It's quite relaxing, no worry about measurements or accurate seam allowances. No seams meet in an 'X', only in a 'T', and the whole thing flows together. It's how I learned to make them (from my mother) and it works perfectly for me. :oops:

I have done it all sorts of ways. One of the best and most economic and at the same time recycle... is using your dryer sheets. It barely weighs anything. I iron if needed. Hubby stacks them up and usually they don't need ironing. if I need a large piece, I just zig-zag them together. They work really great and I only use those now.