I made a 36" x 42" log cabin wallhanging using 1 inch strips and I didn't need to use a foundation backing. Of course, it is just a wallhanging and won't be taking a lot of abuse like a bed quilt would, but I used 1/4 inch seams and that should be good enough to hold together just like a big quilt. So, I would think that as long as you are not using scraps that you really wouldn't need to foundation piece or paper piece.