Autumn Strings

It has been forever since I've posted anything here! I just finished this top though, and had to share. :- )

This began as an effort to use up some of the older batiks in my stash. At the same time, I needed a project to sew that wouldn't require a lot of mental effort. I chose to use the layer and cut and shuffle technique to create the 9" blocks. Both Karla Alexander and Gwen Marston talk about this technique in their books. Karla has devoted whole books to it!

Here's a detail shot:

You can read the full story on my blog if you like.

Magpie Sue

Spiderwebs

I'm just starting this quilt. The original background is an old Alexander Henry (1998) floral in the top center. Since there isn't enough of this to finish an entire quilt, I chose other fabrics that blend with it. Now I think some are too dark (like the top left) while others are too busy (like the bottom right.)

Spiderweb blocks

But it's fun to work this out!

Ann

Sliced and diced

It's ages since I last posted!

I have had lots of things going on and haven't got back to my Pineapple string quilt just yet but I did have a play a few weeks ago after reading a couple of sections of the book by Rayna Gillman.
I had three 12" blocks left over from my Fractured quilt below

and decided to slice into the first one and see what happened, I enjoyed the process so much I carried on and did the same to the other two

"City Garden"

This shot above was taken while these small pieces were hanging in an exhibition and the hanging system is terrible for textile works, the small rod at the back had to have string tied at the two ends and then hung on a huge picture hook which comes down from a clear tape - can't get the works to hang straight, having said that the one above is cut on an angle at the top and on both sides but the hanging doesn't do it any favours!

The one below was taken at home on my design wall and if you do a zoom you will see two tiny white marks - forgot to remove two white flower head pins!

"Bridge to Nowhere"

Now I need to carry on reading her book and get busy making more quilts!

This is Number 5

Yes, I'm officially addicted.  I have finished five free-form quilts a la Rayna and see more in the future.  Now I have a "selvage stash" AND a separate "skinny strips" stash!

Big news:  I have been asked to be guest artist for the month of April at a local gallery.  All of the free-form quilts will be in attendance!  Yay!

Scrappy Christmas Strips top assembled

The blocks are finished and the top is assembled. Sometimes a string quilt is just what is needed to provide some sewing time with limited stress. There are 48 blocks in this top and each one is identical. Our Community Outreach group was given these "off cuts" of Christmas scraps and I wondered if they would work. I used a simple red centre and started sewing. Each block was cut at 10" and I used 1/2" seams to sew the blocks together. Piecefully, Joanne

Another Rayna Workshop

I finally finished a small quilt from Rayna Gillman's workshop last August. What a wonderful teacher she is! All the participants had such different visions and were largely self-directed. Rayna spent the day walking in a circle consulting with each of us in turn. She demonstrated modules, encouraged our ideas and offered alternatives when we ran into a wall.

Mine took so long because I was trying to use everything. Once I pared the modules back it fell into place. Hopefully, like Lori, there will be more in the future. Lots of ideas running through my head.

My quilt from Rayna Gilman's workshop: 24" x 22"

Thanks, Rayna!

Ann

For Margaret's Hope Chest

Someone gave me some scraps and among them were thin strips of novelty fabrics. I started sewing them together and then kept adding more from my own stash. It all grew into this top. I didn't have borders on yet, when I went to visit my sister. She gave me two huge bags of scraps and blocks. Some already-cut borders were included, so I added them to this quilt. The quilt wouldn't exist without the help of several people... and then another person offered to quilt our tops for quilts going to Margaret's Hope Chest! YES! True collaboration wins again! carol e.

Christmas Strings (either early or late?)

Our community outreach group was given outcuts from a Christmas line of fabric. I have wondered if I could make a string quilt with them and finally got going on them last week. I used a red centre string and then have used the same fabric in the same relative position in each block. I put the first four blocks down on the design floor to see how they would look. I am happy with the outcome. Just 44 blocks to go.  Joanne

Log Cabin

Would you call this a string quilt? It's not like the others but it's my "final gasp" before actually throwing a string away. Unlike most string quilts, all the logs finish the same 1/2" width. Any string 1" or larger works. I used to cut the strings to the appropriate width before sewing but now just sew them on and trim back.

Log Cabin of 1/2" finished strings

I started making the blocks when my scrap bag was overflowing. Now, it's a habit. When a quick quilt is needed, these blocks are on hand. And my scrap bag is still full. Go figure.

Ann

Check out these string quilts

Life may be a bit quiet at this blog

but I've seen some great string quilts out there in blogland.

Check out Wanda's string blocks layouts at Exuberant Color

where she is playing with string blocks in soft batiks.

And while you're out there,

see what Marit at Quilt It just finished

from her scrap basket.

How are the rest of you doing with stringing along?