I've done those before and didn't realize that's what you called them! Mine was done with a QAYG pattern.

I love what you've done! Unless there is a difference in the thickness without using the muslin, I'd use them. I wouldn't have know the difference from looking at them.

Gosh, Valarie, I hope they're secure. I've made about 40 string blocks so far using paper as a backing. Then I tear off the paper, so I have essentially what you have. I think (hope) they are secure as long as your seams are at least 1/8". That was my guide. I plan to quilt mine quite closely. I like your idea of making them in the same color family. Very nice.

I think anything is secure once quilted down well. I prefer a very thin foundation material, like a used dryer sheet. I hate tearing out paper.

Whatever floats your boat (no quilt police). I've made 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" strip blocks without a foundation. I'm sure you don't use thin fabric, so I don't see the need for a foundation if making square blocks. Sometimes the foundation is used as a guide for size, too. If you're making these into HSTs, I think they'll look pretty awesome!!!

I like the color coordination, too.

You have some lovely fabrics in your stash.

Theresa

I think I've used both paper and the very thin interfacing - woven kind, not iron on and the cheapest I could find. I might have made blocks with used dryer sheets too, but I don't use dryer sheets anymore, so no supply of them. Back in the "olden days" they used newspaper or sheets from old phone books. I do not want to tear paper from quilt blocks ever again!

Thanks everyone...I feel better now about my strip sets. Just using up scraps, all are odd sizes in the various scrap baskets and getting sewn together. I've got to reduce the scraps!!!

I hate tearing the paper as well...now I don't have to... :-)

I love string quilts and have made four or five. I use the lightest weight stabilizer or interfacing I can find and have used fusible. You could still add fusible stabilizer if you wanted. I agree on muslin being too heavy and I wouldn't even go near paper. Just my humble opinion.

I use paper and I love tearing it off, I do it outside if I can since it's a bit messy.

Funny that you should say that you love tearing the paper off, FlamingO, because I do too, and I thought I might be the only one. I don't usually like tearing paper off intricate paper-piecing, but string blocks are easy and satisfying - another one done!! I use scrap copy paper. That way, I'm using two scraps - paper and fabric. I use a really small stitch length and fold the paper back on the stitch line before I tear. I also do it after each block I finish, so I never have a lot to do.

I use copy paper or from a pad of newsprint. The art dept sells those. It's easier to tear. Lois, back in the old days, I liked peeling sunburn! LOL

For those of you who enjoy tearing paper, May i suggest making a bordered New York beauty block...talk about paper tearing...you'll be in heaven! :-)

I've never tried that block, it intimidates the heck outta me!