Thursday, July 30, 2015

a bit psychedelic

Admittedly, it has been forever since I've posted here (let alone on my own blog - LOL). I sew with strips all the time, as you probably know: but string quilts are a rarity for me. 

Been busy teaching and traveling and recently got home from teaching at the South African National Quilt Festival in KwaZulu Natal --- and very influenced by the colors and patterns of Africa (not to mention the fabrics!).

I was blotto from the time warp, but happy to be back at my sewing machine after watching my students sew for a week.  About the only thing I could do was to finish the string quilt I had started before I left for a new baby my daughter's good friend had recently.

Finally got it together and quilted, but when I took a photo to post on my blog I was a bit taken aback on how totally wonky it really was.  But hey, string quilts are supposed to be wonky - right? And when you cut and sew without a ruler, that's what happens.


By the way, I might pass along something I finally figured out as I was sewing these strips down to the paper.  I realized that I only needed to sew one seam to the paper: set the first one down and put one on top of it, as usual.  Sewed the two to the square of paper and folded the paper back. Then I just sewed one strip to another without the paper, used the paper to trim when I was done, and only had one seam to rip. OTOH - maybe that's why this looks so wacko.

Cheers, everybody!  Enjoy.
warm regards,
Rayna


9 comments:

Paulette said...

Ooh, I really like it!! That's a good tip, definitely worth trying sometime. Thanks!

beth s said...

Great tip about paper piecing! Welcome home. ;)

Julierose said...

Good tip! I love this quilt--so bright and cheery! hugs, Julierose

Quiltdivajulie said...

Love love love this one!!!!!!

Brenda said...

Love the wonky lines, the b/w stripe, and the directions. thanks so much for sharing with us!

Rayna said...

Thanks, all:-). Will try to post more often with my free-form strips, even if they are not technically string quilts.

And Lori R. -if you are reading this - a big hi!

Texas JennyWren said...

LOVE this quilt. Wonky strips are MY FAV. Really pretty.

Ann said...

I saw this on your blog and and so happy to see it here, too. Such a vibrant, happy quilt - perfect for a new baby. Best wishes all around.

Ginny said...

Wonky and wonderful!