The "string cabin" is a combo of the traditional log cabin design, and the idea of the string quilt that I discovered over the summer. Each block will be 9 inches square, so with some quick math, I figured I needed a total of 30 blocks. I wanted to alternate the color of the center "squares", so I cut out 15 orange and 15 pink. I used a rotary cutter to get clean lines, but I did not measure them, and few of them are perfectly square, if any. Most of the center squares are solid, but I did throw a couple odd prints in there for interest. (For reference, the center squares range from 3-4 inches across.)
Next, I made a template from a box in the recycling bin. I wanted my actual blocks to be 9 inches square (before sewing together) so I made the template just the tiniest bit larger. Then I cut out 30 foundations from an old newspaper. (Not the best choice, but I'll get into that later.) I waited to square them up perfectly after the blocks were sewn up.
Using a kids' glue stick, dab a small bit of glue in the center of each paper foundation, and press down the center square. It won't need to hold forever, so don't stress about this point.
This is my second time using a paper foundation, and while I love the stiffness of the paper, actual printed newspaper can be a little messy. I was careful not to touch the top of the quilt while I was picking out the paper at the end, but my fingers did get a little dingy. Next time I'll try quilter's muslin--no need to remove it--and let you know how that goes. If you really want to use paper, since the recycling aspect is so appealing, I would use misprints from the copy machine, or those glossy adds that come in the mail. No rub-off there! Oh, and a friend of mine suggested using dryer sheets as foundations, for smaller projects. Cool idea. No removing, and it would smell nice, too. (Thanks, Sue!)
