My preferred foundation material is deli paper, which I have bought from Costco. These are the individual 10 1/2" squares used to wrap sandwiches. Unfortunately, my new super gizz printer does not like them. Otherwise, I just use regular printing paper. Don't use the good stuff. It's thicker. Someone told me to put a heavy crease along each sewing line. It does make a difference in tearing the paper off. Come to think of it, I have also used cheap, thin lined binder paper. It works well too. The best time to buy that is in August, with back to school specials. I have a friend who only uses baker's parchment or onion skin. I am too cheap for those.