I guess I am missing something here. Why use the phone book pages? If I were going to use anything I guess I would use muslin. But why use anything. Can't you just sew your strips on top of each other and then square them up? I cam imagine how that would allow for chain stitching too. What am I missing here?

I just sew the strips together and make a new chunk of fabric - about the size of a fat quarter - cut it out however I want to make blocks. I have never used muslin or paper. I do use the strips as enders/leaders and that makes them "free" material in so many ways!!!

tablets of newsprint, plain, are inexpensive and easy to remove. I don't use any paper or muslin underneath. I just sew and trim.

These rolls are called end rolls. Some newspapers charge a dollar or two for them, but there is likely to be enough on any roll that you will be hard pressed to ever use it up. They may come in two widths, so you might want to look at what your local paper has.
You will have to go the trouble of cutting them to size, but all you have to do is measure the width and then cut them the same length if you want a square. The unprinted paper is wonderful for packing material and I have found it relatively easy to pull off strip piecing. Inexpensive muslin is also a good choice, but you may not want the extra layer of fabric...Your strips, your muslin, your batting and then the quilt back may make a heavier quilt than you want. I know several people who have used phone book paper and they didn't have any trouble with it, but be sure to get your hands wet and handle a page or two with those hands to see if the print comes off. Newsprint ink is not as fragile as it once was. froggyintexas

Pepper Cory (nationally known quilter, teacher, judge, etc.) says to use an old phone book in which the ink has long since dried so as not run onto your fabric.

i use old phone books when get new ones old ones go to the sewing room... if get old insurance portfolio reports I use them too they are on news print... easy to tear off.

I too use muslin or thin material as a base. As for the seams being straight, yes, unless you are doing a scrappy crazy quilt block.

I make them on muslin and then there is no tearing out of paper. If you do decide to use paper besure you stitch size down so that it is easier to rip.

Sediment Shield
 

I have looked at several Lowe's websites with no luck. Where may I ask did you find it and the cost?

Have you tried interfacing - the one without glue? Does not need removing and it is very cheap. Some quilters also use drier sheets, but there might be aproblem with acidity.