Back to Basics

I haven't posted on this blog in literally years. I'm sure any of us who have been quilting for many years have recognized the ebb and flow of interest in patterns and techniques, even in our own work. So after a hiatus I have returned to some string piecing.

There are so many different ways to work with strips and/or strings! I'd cut width-of-fabric strips from older yardage a few years back in an effort to clear out and update my stash a bit. But then I found I wasn't using a lot of those strips. I tend to work with specific size patches rather than long strips or strata. Or at least that's what I've been doing most recently.

I was inspired to cut my long strips into 8.5" lengths by a post over on Confessions of a Fabric Addict. I do love a Chinese Coins style quilt! And now I have this basket full of strips all the same length but in varying widths:

I'm sewing the strips together randomly, up to about 12-13 inches long so I have rough blocks to work with. When I have the number I figure I'll need for the quilt I'm building I can arrange and rearrange them before sewing them into columns, and then the columns into a flimsy. Here's what I have so far:

I didn't really expect to get this far this quickly! My basket still seems pretty full. I may very well have enough strips for two good size quilts. 😀

Magpie Sue

My First String of 2019

Happy New Year Everyone!!

A friend challenged me to get started in this new year. So I thought to make a string quilt because it's easy.
Here's what I've accomplished so far.

I used a type of tissue paper as a foundation. That's the white area you can see.

 I like all the gray fabrics and was happy to use as many as possible in this project.

I'll need to make 3 more blocks to finish the top then add borders. The blocks are 9.5 inches unfinished.

There's more to see on my blog and the story behind these fabrics.

 

Humble Quilts Strings QAL

Did you know that Lori over at Humble Quilts

is hosting a Strings quilt along?

Go check our her latest post HERE.

Lori also posted about it HERE.

I plan to participate with at least two quilts.

I also plan to share photos here on this blog.

I LOVE STRINGS!

Quiltdivajulie

Rectangular strings sewn together

Popping in to show off my completed string top.

I added piano key borders top and bottom.

It now measures 60 by 65 inches.

I'm basting and quilting it this weekend.

Some people left comments saying they prefer using paper foundations instead of fabric.

I hate tearing off paper,

and because these fabric foundations are 1/4 inch smaller all around than the block,

I don't have the extra bulk in the seams allowance.

I think both paper and fabric have their advantages.

I'm machine quilting this, so I'm not worrying about the extra layer.

Rectangular strings

I've been playing in the string bin again recently,

turning out rectangular blocks that finish at 6 by 9 inches

When they go together they make large diamonds.

I have a few rules for these instead of going entirely scrappy.

I'm using brights on the inside diamonds, and darks on the outside.

I've got lots of variety going here to give it more energy

and I'm trying to stay away from muddy colours on both sides.

This is my technique: I cut 6 by 9 inch foundations from an old sheet,

and ironed the diagonal  crease into them.

With rectangles, I need half of them to go left to right, like the one above,

and the other half to go right to left.

I cut 1.5 inch strips of a couple of beige prints, 

ironed them right sides together lengthwise,

and they laid the crease of the beige strip into the crease of the foundation.

I top stitched it in a matching thread right down the crease so the strips don't shift.

I want these strips to match up and make diamonds,

although I don't care if the other strips are various sizes or a bit wonky.

I'm cutting these 6.5 by 9.5 inches, so I make sure the strip is longer than the background.

Then I sew the brights onto the right side of the beige strips 

until I've completely covered the foundation, 

and trim the blocks from the back to 6.5 by 9.5 inches.

Repeat for black strips.

I've finished 16 blocks,

and have to sew black prints onto 32 more.

I may make this one row or one column bigger.

With 12 diamonds, it measures 48 by 54.

I would like it to finish at a throw size, 

so it's either more blocks,

or using up black strips for a piano key border.

Scrappy Half Log Cabin Stashbuster

I just finished this scrappy half log cabin top with the goal of emptying a bag of strings that had been lollygagging around for a long time.  The blocks began with 2" light squares, and were built out to 10" using random width strings.The light fabric used for the corner squares and inner borders consumed an odd less-than-a-yard chunk from my stash.  I used several different leftover ends of red solids to tie everything together.  

No particular destination for this quilt -- it was just a scrapbuster.

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The Spotted Winkel Quilt is Finished!

My quilt named The Spotted Winkel is finished!

Lots of string pieced circles and more.

Come visit my blog to see lots of photos

and learn the story behind this one-of-a-kind quilt.

Quiltdivajulie

Guild Comfort Quilt

I joined a new (to me) guild this year, and they like to make Comfort Quilts which are given away to various projects.. I like the generous spirit. This year they are making coins which are just strings set in columns, right? I made this one, with strings set vertically in rows instead of horizontally in columns and with an added surprise in each row.

Carol E.

The Spotted Winkel

This is my newly-completed quilt top

for the current Ad Hoc Improv Quilters'

Playing With Scale challenge.

Inspired by my grandson's Winkel baby toy,

it features lot and lots of string pieced circles.

There are more photos on my blog -

CLICK HERE to visit.

Quiltdivajulie

String Quilt Gift for Habitat for Humanity

Our Possum Town Quilt Guild from Columbus, MS was finally able to gift the latest habitat house quilt recipient. She seemed very pleased and was going to put it on her bed as soon as she got home.

You can see us working on this quilt here and here.