Scrappy String quilt by Emily of Quilty Love. See how Emily sewed together this fun and easy string quilt using her scrap stash.
New to string or strip piecing blocks? Check out video tutorials to see different ways to do the string piecing technique as well as some ideas for patterns and information to get you started.
Have you ever wondered how to make a string quilt? These string quilt patterns will show you how to get started! We listed 21 beautiful string quilt patterns.
FREE QAYG ALONG PART 11We’re obsessed with string quilts! And they are super easy, super fun and beginner friendly, so we thought you might like to make one too. This week we were invited to make some short videos for Spotlight’s Quilting Expo, so we went totally over the top and made a 3 part series on how to make a quilt as you go string quilt from start to finish. This series is perfect for the very beginner or for those that want to try their hand at making a quilt as you go quilt. It’s full
I promised a tutorial for the string blocks and I had second thoughts.....why try to improve on my original source. The very best pla...
Learn how to make a string quilt using leftover strips from your stash. If you have strips of fabric that are either from a collection (think jelly roll) or from scraps, the string quilt is
Transform your fabric scraps into beautiful new scrappy quilts by making string quilts. A tutorial from NewQuilters.com #stringquilts #stringquilttutorial
FREE QAYG ALONG PART 11We’re obsessed with string quilts! And they are super easy, super fun and beginner friendly, so we thought you might like to make one too. This week we were invited to make some short videos for Spotlight’s Quilting Expo, so we went totally over the top and made a 3 part series on how to make a quilt as you go string quilt from start to finish. This series is perfect for the very beginner or for those that want to try their hand at making a quilt as you go quilt. It’s full
Is it really April 1 tomorrow? That seems impossible, but it's true. April means lots of good things. Tomorrow, my grandmother turns 89, and later in the month, we celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday. And a wedding anniversary. And the second annual Stash Bash. It's also my month to plan the Love circle quilt for do.Good Stitches! It's been awhile since I've made string blocks. I don't know about you, but I always seem to have a pile of string scraps lying around. Last week, I divided them into two piles based on length, and made a bunch of blocks. Here's a few tips that might help, if you've never made a string block before. -Working with a foundation is best for string blocks, and I prefer paper. As Jeni pointed out, using a fabric foundation (even muslin) adds bulk, whereas the paper can be ripped away when you're finished. -If you have graph paper or an old telephone book, this works better than printer paper, but that will work, too! -Start with your center strip, and glue-baste this piece to make sure it stays in place! -To create a cohesive look, you can use a single color and width for your center strings. Or, you can mix it up to your heart's content! -The most important thing is to make sure you keep a 1/4" seam allowance throughout. -Make sure your strips are at least 1" wide. -With all paper piecing, it's best to leave the paper on until you've sewn your blocks together. It helps to minimize bias. -Setting your stitch length to 1.5 or 1.6 will make ripping that paper a little easier, too. -When pressing any paper-piecing, use a dry iron (no steam!). -Oh, and little triangle scraps are great for the end pieces! Any other tips? Did I leave anything out? Specifically for do.Good Stitches bee blocks this month, I'm asking for 8.5" blocks (so you can just cut a 2.5" strip off a sheet of paper to create that template!). For the center strings, I'd like 1" strips of any blue solid, and then the rest of the strings can be any width and any color. I'd love to see a mix of solids and prints. As you can see, these are addictive to sew! And my pile of strips doesn't seem any smaller.
Transform your fabric scraps into beautiful new scrappy quilts by making string quilts. A tutorial from NewQuilters.com #stringquilts #stringquilttutorial
The crumb quilt project was a great scrap buster. I got 2 quilts out of that project. But for some reason, after all the mess all o...
Brenda shared a project she’s doing that uses some of those short strings strings we all end up with after making HeartStrings blocks. So I’m able to use strings measuring 6″ and …
"X" MARKS THE BLOCK - THE TUTORIAL Are your strippy scrap bins or bags stuffed to bursting? This is a great scrappy project to help you reduce some scraps and ALL WITHOUT A PATTERN (sometimes a project without a pattern is like a day without pantyhose...ahhh...). OVERALL DIRECTIONS: I don't use a paper or fabric foundation when making these blocks...mostly because I am too lazy to reproduce the foundations, then later peel all those pieces of paper off my sewn blocks. If you would like to use a foundation, go right ahead...it's all good. But I challenge you to try one block without a foundation to s-t-r-e-t-c-h yourself. Here's the ONE I tried with a 8.5 inch paper foundation...it was really harder than doing it without one, believe it or not... This block/quilt uses mostly "strips" and "chunks." I define strips as anything from 3/4 - 2-1/2 inches wide. I try to keep them separate in my quilt cave - that way I don't have to dig through all my scraps just to find strips. Chunks can be odd-shaped, cut-off chunks of leftovers or wider strips, maybe even extra triangles or squares. If you are careful and use fatter strips at either end of the central pieced section, you don't have to fool with using chunks. We just don't want to trim down our final blocks and find too many seam allowances in the corners where blocks meet. The focus fabrics that form the "X" need to contrast the rest of your general scraps. I used blacks with brights. You could use something light as well, or maybe a color. Your "X" strips can either be scrappy like mine or all one fabric/color. Medium to dark batiks with light "X" strips would look cool. Maybe red and neutral scraps with green "X" strips for a holiday quilt. The sky is the limit! I cut my "X" strips 1 - 2 wide. The variation just adds to the wonkiness and draws attention away from the fact that the "X" strips don't line up between blocks. You can see below how the scrappy black strips are different widths and don't match up precisely...charming! Sometimes, my strips are wider at one end than the other...even MORE charming! After looking at my available strips and chunks, I chose to make blocks that would finish eight inches square. I had some short, stubbly strips that were 3.5 to 4 inches long, so I decided on a center diagonal strip that would finish about 3 inches wide. After looking at your scraps, you may decide to make smaller or larger squares, of maybe even rectangles, triangles, or other shapes. I will show you how I figured out the rough dimensions of my units, then you can apply what I did to your size block. Here is my 8.5 inch square ruler with a 3 inch wide ruler on top (which represents my central pieced strip). See how I have allowed roughly a half inch at each end? You can see, from the pictures above, that the unfinished length of that initial, central pieced strip needs to be at least 13 inches, once it is pressed. In my quilts, the strips that define the edge of the central pieced strip and make the prominent "X" design are scrappy black. Yours could be light, dark, or a certain color. They can be scrappy or cut from one fabric. You can see in the pictures above and below how to determine the minimal length of these setting strips. Each strip added to the central pieced strip needs to be at least a half inch longer in each direction than the edge of the ruler. Now you can vary the size of your blocks and central pieced strip to please you. Just be sure to allow adequate overhang of strips so that when you square up your blocks you won't have any holes! Just because you see brights and blacks in my tutorial doesn't mean that is the only color option possible. Look at your scrap stash, then decide how YOU want to proceed. You can even do it without a contrasting color for the "X" strip. Look at the backside of this finished block to see how you should press your block as you progress. I pressed the central pieced strip only after piecing the whole thing, then pressed the seams in the same direction, either way. Then starting with the black focus strips, I pressed each added strip to the outside. Now just fill some bobbins, put in a new sewing machine needle, replace your rotary cutting blade, and let's get started! STEP 1: I do not cut the short strips to 3.5 inches before chain-piecing the little strips together into a long section...as long as they are at least 3.5 inches long, it's OK of they are a little longer. Some of these strip sets have a triangle or chunk at either end, sometimes just a piece of a wider strip. I do this to avoid an accidental seam too close to the corners where 4 blocks will meet. Start with a chunk, wide strip or triangle at one end, then chain-piece strips together, matching up one end of your irregular, variable in length, short strips. Do not worry about pressing after each addition of a strip. Check the length of your pieced strip as you go. This central pieced strip needs to be at least 13 inches long...make sure you stop in time to place another chunk, wide strip or triangle at the opposite end. Turn your strip sets over and press ALL the seams in ONE direction, either way. STEP 2: Now you are ready to sew on the contrasting focus "X" strips, right sides together. These should be at least 10 inches long (1 - 2 inches wide), CENTERED along the edge of your pieced central strip. I place the first strip along the "straightest" edge of the strip set, lining up the edge of the shortest strip (the cow strip in the following set). Even though this is wonky sewing, I still maintain a quarter inch seam allowance when I can (old habits are hard to shake...). A consistent quarter inch seam allowance is not critical while making the blocks, but will be very important when sewing the blocks together into a quilt top. After stitching, trim away extra seam allowance with your rotary cutter or scissors (trim the uneven end of the central strip set even with the quarter inch seam of your "X" strip). Press strip to the outside. (I like to chain stitch several of these units, then sew on the opposing strip before stopping, trimming and pressing.) Place this opposing strip. face down and centered on the other side of the strip, with the help of a ruler (or just "eyeball" this for extra wonky-ness). Your stitching line should be at 3 inches (or the outer edge of this strip should be 3.25 inches from the opposing seam). After stitching, trim away extra seam allowance with your rotary cutter or scissors. (Would you believe I save some of these longer cut away leftovers? That will be the subject of another liberated tutorial project!). Press strip to the outside. (Again, chain piecing really saves time with this method.) STEP 3: Now we can start adding strips, one on each side, building our block, chain piecing and pressing to the outside after the addition of each new pair. As you continue centering strips (chain piecing), adding strips to each side, notice that they are getting shorter and shorter. Press toward outside before adding the next pair. Just make sure the strips are long enough so that when you trim down your blocks there aren't any surprise "peek-a-boo" holes. Please notice the left side of the block pictured below. The white-ish strip just under the left corner of the ruler is a little too wide and would cause there to be a seam too close to the corner of the block. Just slice or cut some of it off so that your last strip will form a larger triangle after the block is trimmed down. You may need to make a few of this kind of adjustment as you go. Place your block on a small cutting mat. Square up your block by placing the 8.5 inch ruler on top, centering the ruler's diagonal line in the middle of your center strip set and sliding the ruler back and forth until the end triangles are centered and all seams are solid under the ruler (no "peek-a-boo" holes...). Cut away each side, turning the MAT, not your block, as you go. A small rotary mat works OK, but I like trimming these blocks on a revolving rotary mat, like this Brooklyn Revolver. It has a 'lazy Susan' mechanism that allows you to easily rotate the block as you trim each side away (I just LOVE a good gadget...). There are other versions of the revolving rotary mat out there...here's the Olfa offering from Joann's Fabrics online (use your coupon on it!). Ta-da!!! You did it! Now you can make as many or as few blocks as you want. For each of the quilts pictured at the beginning of the post, I set 8 blocks across, 10 blocks down, with a 1.5 inch (finished) stop border and outer borders of either 6 or 5 inches (finished). The green-bordered quilt measured 79 x 95 inches and the one with red borders, 77 x 93 inches. I recently taught a class on this block at my LQS. Janet S worked with her medium to dark, earthy scraps, with a consistent light "X" fabric (she cut her light strips the same width throughout). She ended up cutting her remaining setting strips more consistent in width, while keeping her central pieced strip wonky. Lori L used fun, colorful scraps with lime green "X" strips. I've never seen such a fun bag of colorful, happy scraps (I admit it...I had scrap envy!) Both had stunning results! When it comes down to piecing the blocks together, sew in rows, pressing the seams to one side, alternating direction every row. This way the seams will nest nicely for beautiful, accurate piecing. Remember that the edges of your strips are most likely bias edges, so handle them carefully until they are seamed in and stable to they won't stretch. ENJOY! In stitches, Teresa :o)
I'm all about saving time and money. When I first heard of chain-piecing, I really latched onto it. I discovered that not only did it p...
Get Creative with Super Easy String Piecing! String quilts are a great way to use up miscellaneous strips of leftover fabrics. They’re also very adaptable and so easy to make. You may find that a string quilt is the most fun of any quilt you’ll make! Make the blocks any size you want, make as …
New to string or strip piecing blocks? Check out video tutorials to see different ways to do the string piecing technique as well as some ideas for patterns and information to get you started.
(Edited to add: see the finished quilts HERE ) Back in January I cut my string scraps that were less than 2.5" down to a uniform width o...
Just a quick check in here for design wall Monday. I’m making another string quilt with the shadow look. I decided this time to make the strings rectangles instead of squares. I hope I can g…
Whew! Have ya’ll got the buzz of Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Week out of your system? I had two winners: Ellen (Ohio) and Niina (Finland), and my post announcing their success marked my 100th post.…
Tutorial showing with photos and explaining step by step with text how to sew a string quilt block on paper.
September is my month in the Stash Trad Bee & I have totally been struggling with what block to have my group members make for me. I have finally decided to go with a scrappy String Star. Now…
Scrappy madness to start the year!
This super easy pattern combines two of my favorites...rag style and stitch-n-flip. This makes for a great quilt-as-you-go combination! Use scraps to make this a very economical quilt. And for a "wonky" feel, cut strips uneven. This was one of my favorites to make! Finished size is 54" x 72", which makes for great snuggling. Pattern only. Skill Level: Beginners to advanced. Requires basic sewing knowledge. **PLEASE NOTE** This listing is for a SEWING PATTERN only, not the actual quilt. If you would like to purchase an actual quilt, please continue browsing my shop for ready made quilts.
Strip piecing quilts can save time and money. Top US blogger Amy Smart shares tips to accurately cut and piece fabric for fast quilt blocks.
Transform your fabric scraps into beautiful new scrappy quilts by making string quilts. A tutorial from NewQuilters.com #stringquilts #stringquilttutorial
Transform your fabric scraps into beautiful new scrappy quilts by making string quilts. A tutorial from NewQuilters.com #stringquilts #stringquilttutorial
Hi, all! May! The lovely month of May has arrived, with beautiful springtime weather to enjoy and the end of this year's Hands2Help Challenge in sight. Today we have another guest blogger joining us - Anja from Nova Scotia, who blogs at Anja Quilts! Anja is always creating something beautiful, it seems, and she has a wonderful tutorial for us today. So now I will turn the blog over to her! *&*&*&*&*&*&* Thanks to Sarah for hosting another year of Hands2Help and for the opportunity to guest blog. I'm Anja, and I blog over at Anja Quilts and on Instagram with the same name. My tutorial continues Sarah's theme of string therapy. I found a piece of paper in my quilting notebook with some directions, but no indication what the pattern was called or where I found it. It said to cut strips 14.5-inch long of various widths. I decided to use 12.5-inch lengths because that's the largest square ruler I had. Sew strips together to make a 12.5-inch square. Match two squares together, alternating the orientation of the strips so they are perpendicular. Sew a 1/4-inch seam around the entire perimeter of the square. Cut the square diagonally twice to get four sections. Press each section open to reveal a square. My note did not say to sew the strips to a foundation, and at this point of the process, I realized that would have been a good idea. Some of my squares were 8.5 inches, but some were not. So I trimmed them all down to 8.25 inches. I ended up making 48 blocks, resulting in a quilt top about 47 x 63 inches. There are many possibilities to arrange the blocks. This is a simple way to use up your scraps. *&*&*&*&*&*&* Oh, how I wish I had known about this technique when I was doing my string tutorials! This is such a great and simple way to change up string blocks into something really special. Thanks for sharing with us, Anja! Next week we will have another guest blogger, and it's also a check-in week. If you don't have a blog and want to share your progress, please feel free to send them to me at salliesue57 (at) gmail (dot) com and I will add them to a blogpost so others can see your work! See you next week! Hugs! Sarah
2011 Fiber Arts Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hot off the sewing machine: the Ferris Wheel quilt! There's a pattern for it too. This is a fun way to make fan blocks. No paper-piecing, no fabric foundations. You make them "by eye." I like the spinning wheel effect you get with striped fabrics (below). Here's another variation. The improv aspect shows up more in the example below. Take a look at the pattern: Ferris Wheel Quilt.
Making a quilt is one of the most fun experiences you’ll ever have and it can actually prove to be super useful if you have any leftover fabric you need
Find a home for your scrappy strings with this foundationless string block tutorial. It's fun, easy and no paper to rip off.
Use my mini string quilt blocks sewing tutorial to make use of even your smallest fabric scraps! No fuss blocks require no corner matching!
This fun scrappy quilt is quick to put together and great for beginners. Use lots of different colors to keep it bright and fun…or just a few colors to keep it calm and simple. Finished Size: 36" x 41" 1. You’ll need to cut 27 color strips 2" x width...Read More
Photo above © Bonnie K HunterThis quilting pattern / tutorial is available for free... Full Post: Strip Twist
Quilternity's Place - a place to share the quilting, sewing, traveling, photography, cooking experiences, and much, much more in my daily life.
Please double-click /super-size for greater fabric detail Things have been very-extra-stressful at the office for the last few weeks. When that happens, I turn to my string bins. They energize and soothe me at the same time. The overflowing box of strings was sorted into smaller bins grouped by color family. We all know strings can get messy in a big hurry. This set-up helps me keep complete chaos at bay but still lets me work freely. * * * I had cut enough base blocks to make a single large quilt. As you can see in the first photo above, I've changed my mind and will make two less-large quilts. The blocks will finish at 9" meaning one quilt will be 45" x 63" and the other will be 36" x 45" All in good time. Quiltdivajulie
Strip piecing quilts can save time and money. Top US blogger Amy Smart shares tips to accurately cut and piece fabric for fast quilt blocks.
Hey there, friends! As promised, I'm delighted to share my latest scrap quilt finish with you. Since this quilt took awhile to put togethe...
