My choice for foundation blocks depends on the fabric I'm using. If I know a lot of the fabric has been cut on the bias, I'll use fabric, whether that be muslin, old fabric, old sheets, etc. If I'm not sure how it's been cut, I'll usually but not always choose fabric. I have used paper here, and ended up with some "wonky" blocks because the bias stretches more than those cut on the length or width of the fabric; e.g. straight grain. I've used all kinds of paper, including old telephone books, and on this point, it's whatever works for you or whatever you have on hand.
I am not finding that string quilts done on muslin wears faster. Is it that the fabric used was cheap, and maybe the quilter was just using it up because they didn't want to make quilt blocks with it? Or do you think it has something to do with having fabric as a foundation? I'd be curious to know other people's experience with this.
Oh, and I press and starch my muslin (fabric, etc) foundation pieces before I use them. Helps keep them square.
To: Bearisgray -- I entend my material out to the edge, including 1/4 inch seam allowance. I've not done it the other way, but it seems to me that if you're only attaching muslin to muslin, it would be much less strong. Also, I don't know how you could solve the problem of the edges of the fabric strips sticking up on the top, not being sewn down into the top. I hope that was clear.
Last edited by MacThayer; 05-04-2013 at 01:27 PM.
Reason: Adding material