zozee

Here's one I made for a friend's baby girl (who, sadly, didn't survive brain cancer).

Many ways to go about making a string quilt, but what I did was:

1. Decide what color I wanted to run through the center of each block. This color creates the dominant pattern. I chose white. Choose a multi-colored focus fabric and use strings that pick up those colors.
2. Draw a template of diagnonal lines across a 6.5" square (I used white copier paper). The center strip was probably the widest at 2" (?). I don't like to work with anything finishing at less than 1" wide, so I spaced my lines accordingly.
3. When the pattern was the way I thought I wanted it, I traced the lines with black sharpie so they'd show up well when printed. I made a practice block to make sure I liked the look.
4. Made lots of copies of the block. Cut around the pattern about an inch or so I was working with less paper but still had room the strings to hang over the edges of the lines till later.
5. Press as you go. I found this really important to make sure the fabrics were scootched away from the ditch.
6. Make sure your last piece isn't too small or it'll get lost in a seam .

I didn't mind tearing away paper. Mindless job while watching tv .

ILoveToQuilt

I do my string quilts on cheap copy paper. Sometimes I draw lines, other times I just randomly place strings. Strings can be all same size or different sizes (widths). If you do use paper as a foundation, decrease your stitch length to facilitate paper removal. I "lock stitch" (stay stitch) at the beginning and end of seams. This way the stitching doesn't pull out when you remove the paper. (I only do a stitch or two which I find is enough to lock the seams). Do not remove the papers until the quilt top is complete. I have heard of some people using muslin for the foundation and not using a batting, just a backing, for a lightweight summer quilt. There really are no rules when it comes to strip quilts. Some folks go with a certain colorway, others go completely scrappy. Some choose a single color for one element of the quilt (see above post by zozee - her #1 item) to be used in the same place on each block. I am just starting a string quilt for QOV which will be red, white and blue. The only consistent elements will be the white fabric and a flag fabric in one corner. (I am doing a variation on Sunshine and Shadows or Roman Stripe. The white will be the 1/2 of the block, with red and blue stripes in the other 1/2. The flag fabric will be in the corner opposite the stripes. Doing this will form an alternate block within the top. Will try and post the first 4 finished blocks later today on this thread).

There are no hard and fast rules. String quilts are fun to make and are all very attractive. They are a great way to use up scraps (although my scraps seem to multiply exponentially!) Good luck and let's see what you come up with.

cashs_mom

I just finished a top from the "String Me Along" pattern. I pieced it on cheap copy paper and am now taking the copy paper off. I think if I do another one, I'll just use some old worn sheets or cheap fabric to avoid having the take all the paper off. That is a good point about the extra weight though. I don't like my quilts to be too heavy. I might have to rethink that.

Anyway, I encourage you to do one. I had more fun making this top and got to use up a lot of fabrics I'd had around for a while. Win-win!

Prism99

I haven't done a string quilt, but I have done a "crumb" quilt -- where I randomly sewed bits and pieces together. If I were to make a string quilt, I'd do it the same way. Basically all I did was heavily spray starch the pieces as I ironed. Made them oversized, spray starched and ironed, then trimmed to size. It worked really well. Not sure if it makes a difference, but I used Faultless Premium Professional spray starch (about $4 a can at Walmart). This starch never seems to flake on me, or gunk up my iron.

Cari-in-Oly

I use the cheapest paper I can find. I used to use the large kids tablets from Walmart or the dollar store until I read about using tissue paper. I now use the dollar store tissue paper because you don't have to remove it. Tissue paper dissolves completely in the wash, even in a finished quilt.

Cari

TexasSunshine

I have made several and like using a very thin muslin, it just gives it a good foundation to keep the strings from stretching when sewing.

Jingle

I made lots of string quilts, a few QAYG. Where you cut backing and batting square using the sew and flip.

Easier I sewed three or four strips together,Lay another strip on top, sew both strips together each side. Lay triangle ruler on bottom of seam allowance, cut triangle flip ruler and cut from opposite seam allowance. Keep going across the strip. Sew four triangles together. Very easy.

There may be a tutorial on this site.

cathyvv

Please keep in mind that dryer sheets are highly flammable.

cathyvv

One thing about using fabric for the base of the string quilt is that you do not need batting.

SusieQOH

Thanks so much, everyone!