How about a monthly string-along for 2013?

I've been missing in action from this blog, which I started a year ago

to encourage quiltmakers to play with their strings.

I'd like to propose a modest string-along here for the first half of 2013.

Many of you have made diagonal string blocks, like the ones above

Some of you shared them with me

to make a donation quilt we names Anything Goes

which was raffled off for a children's charity.

Let's try another group effort with a string BOM.

String flying geese, made from 6 inch string blocks.

I'm looking for five string-ers

to take a month each, from now until summer.

Post a string block you haven't tried before.

It doesn't have to be original to you, but please quote the source

if you found it somewhere on the blogosphere.

Other bloggers lurking here can try it with you

and post their results here.

If you would like to make a charity quilt with your block,

you're welcome to invite others to send you blocks.

I know string-alongers are a generous bunch.

So comment below if you want to play along

or post a block here to have others play.

I'll start with the January block of string geese, inspired by Bonnie over at Quiltville.

I'll post the instructions later this week.

Happy stringing!

Spiral

Does this count as a string quilt???  It WAS constructed of random width strips sewn round and round.

Obviously it's a work in progress, but if I show it here I might feel like I should keep going.  I have been really bogged down this fall sewing things I needed to sew rather than things I wanted to sew.  That's going to change now!

This is my third spiral.  I was inspired by the quilts of Kristin Miller, a Canadian quilter.  She doesn't have a blog that I know of, but if you are interested, her website is www.kristinmillerquilts.com.

 

Stars and stripes

I haven't posted on this blog for a very long time, keep forgetting to share my string-y stuff! 

I found a bunch of string blocks in a zip lock bag that wanted to be used for something.  I remember making these blocks when I didn't want to do a specific project but I wanted to sew; then I put them in my "parts department," to be used as when inspiration hit.

I wanted to make a full-size quilt but I didn't have quite enough, so I thought - stars and stripes! I made wonky stars and alternated them with the strings.

I like to add variety by alternating background colors!

My layout looked great, here's the finished quilt:

I had it long-arm quilted by a guild member, Bernerdett - she did a wonderful job!

Stars and Stripes is 82x73 and doesn't have a border; I bound it in a medium-dark blue.

You can see more of the creative process on my blog, just search for "string blocks" to pull up the posts!

Linda

Smaller scale diamond strings

This is likely my last finish for the year in the strings department. I have one more string quilt sewn together but not yet quilted. This particular quilt is a pink centred green string quilt. Over all size is 27" by 38" so a baby size. The individual foundations that the strings were sewn on were 5" by 7".
Thanks for setting this blog up it has been a great way to look at what people around the world are doing with their strings. Joanne

Diamond strings continue to be my favourites

This diamond string quilt was made completely from stash. The diamond centres are a beige with tiny gold stars and the strings are everything I thought might go with brown. So beige, mushroom, gold, a touch of orange and of course light, dark and medium brown. It is a donation quilt for our Scrapbag group.  Joanne

String Tote

I made this tote last week before heading off to my Bible study class. You can read about it on my BLOG. Just scan down a few posts where I've written about the struggles and figuring I had to do.

Bull's Eye

 

This little quilt is the end of a run of string quilts that were stuck in my head and needed out....LOL

The blocks are one 4 1/2 inches and the quilt measures 42 inches square.....and no, I haven't been able to use up those scraps.....they just seem to multiply....sigh!

Our quilt is getting media attention!

Thanks again to all of you for participating in this string quilt.

You may recall we donated it to the Katie Cares Foundation.

Katie's mother Ruth was just on a local radio station being interviewed about the foundation,

and she mentioned an upcoming fundraiser, which includes raffling off our quilt.

For the record, it is the first prize, ahead of a pair of Winnipeg Jets hockey tickets.

She thinks it is beautiful -- and I know all of you do too--

and she's thrilled that 20 quilters from around the world made it.

The website doesn't have many details about the quilt

(check under fundraisers)

but there's a link to our blog on the Katie Cares facebook page.

Check that out, and be proud once again of the effort we all made together.

What started as a bit of a joke to prove that string quilts are beautiful

has grown into into a larger piece of good work that could potentially help many sick kids.

Thanks again!

Anyone want to make another quilt?

Let me know in the comments, and I'll issue another string challenge soon.

The Biggest Quilt Yet!

I've been doing string quilts for about 5 years now and so far this is the biggest quilt yet.  My youngest son recently bought a house and right away I knew he needed a bedspread.  I had plenty of fabrics from various African styled quilts and I wanted to make a string quilt for him.  He wanted it BIG as he doesn't want to contend with a bed skirt and all the "frilly stuff."

I think this quilt is big enough.

His birthday is tomorrow and my youngest turns 35!  Hope he likes it! 

A Diagonal Finish

All done and loving the results!!

Final measurements are

62 by 82 inches. I even managed to miter the piano key border. Yea!