Macybaby

One thing I do to help keep them straight, I sew them into groups 6"-10" and make sure they are even sided, and then sew those sections together if I need something longer (like a border). I normally rough cut my strips just a bit longer than I need so I don't need to be as worried about getting them out of line. I think some use paper to keep them going straight so they don't accidentally end up with a a strip that curves.

I normally sew in pairs, and then sew the pairs to make groups of four, then sew them to make groups of 8,

Belfrybat

Thanks, Cathy. That is pretty much what I do with strips and I try to alternate the sewing direction to keep from curving.

coopah

Same here. The quilts all turned out fine.

illinois

Another good resource for foundation is dryer sheets that have been used enough that the softening agent is gone. Recycling! These don't have to be removed such as paper does.

vickig626

I've used a thinner muslin that can be used as the foundation. then I don't have to tear away any paper. it does make the block a little heavier but, for a quilt, that's ok.

maviskw

I made the Jelly Roll Quilt by 3-Dudes without foundations, but I'm making Boxes of Strings now, and it is very important to keep the ends of the strings in the right place. I don't know how that could be done will without a foundation. I used an old bed sheet that I hated because it was so thin. Cheap muslin would work, too. I would never use paper.

tranum

When I make Chinese Coins for charity, I use an old thin sheet or I may buy lightweight muslin. In my box of “solid color fabric” I found something that would be too sheer for a quilt so I’ll use that next time I need a foundation. Depending on what foundation I use, it may be ok without batting.

love to sew

I have used (used) dryer sheets and phone book paper. When I need the center strip to be exact I will use paper (any kind but more recently found that the paper that comes from annual stock reports is bigger and works well). When I made my boxes of strings. I only sewed on the paper 2 seams, the first seam on either side of the triangle piece, Then I folded back the paper out of the way for the rest and then I only had to pull off the paper from two seams. Easy peasy and I was able to use small strings and bias, what ever worked for the color I needed. By having the paper cut to the size of the block I was making I could check that I had a big enough piece to cover the paper and therefore big enough for the block. I hope that it makes sense. Now I do all my string piecing this way, only sew the first 2 seams in the center. Funny though, I still save the dryer sheets!

TexasSunshine

I prefer to use a thin muslin as a foundation and at our LQS meeting the teacher said use fabric from your slash that you don't like and might not use in a quilt