Foundation can be done on fabric or on paper. The fabric method means leaving the foundation intact. Usually the strips are sewn onto the fabric then squared up. When done on paper, it is a precise sewing on the lines and the paper is removed. This method allows for some extremely intricate detailing. English paper piecing is an altogether different method. Here is a nice tute for EPP:
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/833...iecing-project
Here is the back of my fabric foundation for these Madras Plaid blocks
[ATTACH=CONFIG]61700[/ATTACH]
I did these Madras Plaid strips on fabric foundation (these blocks are not sewn together yet)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]63020[/ATTACH]