trugger

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to start on my mom's string quilt this week and I wondered if anyone had advice on technique?
What works, what doesn't work.... what do I need to be sure to do?

Does it seem too bulky? My first thought is that there's two layers of fabric (with the foundation piece and the strings)... does that make a difference? Do you notice it?

Any advice/tips would help!

Lisa

Sorry, I haven't made one yet. I don't think there would be any problems with bulk but I am interested in what those who have made them will say.

PurplePassion

I use old sheets --tear them into 8 inch blocks and sew my strips on . I cut the strips any width, it uses up alot of scraps. then I trim the blocks own to 7 inches . It doesn't matter about the 2 layers , it just adds extra warmth and stability. Elaine

Skeat

Here's one of my favorite places for great pics and help. I'd think the quilt w/the extra foundation would feel wonderful to be underneath!LOL Go to: http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpa...ng_piecing.htm
read how to w/her and view the good pics. Notice at the top of her article is the 'next' button for more...Hope this helps and do post a pic as you go for the rest of us!LOL Skeat......who always loves all stages of quilting:)

BellaBoo

I made one using muslin as the foundation. It wasn't bulky or stiff. Some use pages from a big phone book and remove the paper. For a light summer quilt I have sewn stings to two layers of muslin and then sewn the blocks together quilt as you go method. If you can find it, Anita Murphy has the best string piecing book I've ever used. Called Reversible Quilts. I have used her method on many of my regular block quilts too.

Barbm

I used muslin. It really doesn't add bulk. I work on a couple at a time.

When I was doing crumb blocks, I'd get them big enough, then square them up and then use the leftovers for the next group.

They are fun and fast. I did the strip twist from www.quiltville.com and it was fun to see it transform the more colors were added. my pic is on the other thread of our projects for this year.

mpspeedy

Hi,

If I decide to try it I am going to use cotton batting as my foundation. That way it will already be quilted when I finish the assembly and the back will just be a lining.
I'll let you know how it turns out.

May in Jersey

Here's a tutorial on making string blocks. http://heartstringsquiltproject.com/guidelines.html

I usually use thin muslin or light colored fabrics for my foundation. After layering with batting and backing the quilt is a bit thicker than usual. Sometimes I skip the batting and use flannel for backing, great for kid's quilts. If you do want to use batting, you could use paper or deli wrap as your foundation, which you need to tear away before layering your quilt. May in Jersey

Yvonne

I made my string quilt using pages from catalogues. They were free! You do have to rip them out but I find that kind of fun also and usually work on the tearing stage while watching the tele.

k3n

I need to make a quick lap quilt for my little boy. His sister is getting one made from the d9p top I made following Izy's tute so now he has to have one too! This might be just the thing! I've got lots of scraps (haven't we all, lol!); if the scraps are too small for the strings can I join them together to make them longer? I guess this will give a real scappy look but I don't think he'll mind! Which is best for foundation, paper or cloth? I guess you tear the paper out after you've sewn it but leave the cloth in? is it hard to quilt through a double layer of cloth? i hand quilt so have to think of my poor fingers! Maybe I could try the batting as foundation idea, I've made log cabin blocks this way and it worked well; any ideas or tips gratefully received!

K x

PS Sorry to ask more questions rather than answer yours, Trugger, hope you don't mind!