Question about a string/strip quilt
 

I am making my first string/strip quilt. I'm sewing them diagonally on 10" squares. The instructions I've seen say to remove the paper before sewing the blocks together, but for stability, I'm wondering if I could sew the blocks together and then remove the paper. It seems this would keep the blocks from stretching as I sew them together. Has anyone done this? Are there pitfalls I'm not anticipating? Thanks for any help.

if you feel better doing it your way, it can't hurt, it will keep them stable for now, incase you get sidetracked into doing something else.

I've done that, no problem. The only thing i'd recommend is to rip the papers out after you have a section together. If you wait till the quilt is finished, its huge and hard to handle.

I've made my string quilts by sewing the fabric strips onto square sandwiches of batting and backing (aka, the quilt-as-you-go method), so I can't tell you for sure. But I think Lynnie is correct in saying it can't hurt to leave the paper in the blocks until you've sewn them together.

it would be like paper piecing, in a way, and I leave my papers on until I am finished with an entire block, but have been known to leave them on longer still.

I left the paper on until all the blocks were together. Then sat in front of the tv and removed all the paper at the same time. You can remove the paper when ever you want to.

Usually when paper piecing I leave the paper on at least one side.

I done my using thin muslin for stabilizing. For a summer quilt, i dont put batting just the backing.

Thanks everyone--I appreciate the advice from all of you.

I am also making one now. The first two blocks I did as your directions stated. I had a really hard time with it because of all the stretching. From then on, I left the paper on until I had sewn 4 blocks (5") together. Then I removed the paper. It was MUCH easier to work with, and is much more stable now.

So... I would definitely follow through with your idea!

I make all my string quilts on paper. I leave the paper in until the blocks are sewn together. I then remove only the papers from the joining seams. (I leave the rest of the paper on until the top is completely sewn together). Hope this makes sense to you. I like the stability the paper gives. Also when you remove the paper from the joining seams, it helps the seams lay flat when you press them.

Anita

My sister made whole quilts leaving the paper on until it was pieced. Then she sat and took the paper off. What a job, but it worked better.

Have done it both ways and it is OK.

It is so good to hear from quilters who have already "been there"! It made logical sense in my mind, but I'm glad to know it works in the real world. :) Thanks again.

Paper is a pain.. Ive been there, done that and hates the lil bits everywhere.. I buy super cheap thin, flimsy muslin or neutral cotton fabric.. it is soooooooooooooooooo much cleaner but it does add a tiny bit of weight.. but for less than 99 cents a yard ill take that over hours of tearing away paper..

After sewing the strips on the paper I trim the block 1/4" wider on all sides. For example, if the paper squares are 10", I trim the block 10.5" with the paper centered leaving 1/4" on each side. This way when I sew the block together the paper isn't in the seam allowance and it is easier to remove later.

I agree with several others and use a thin muslin, then I do not have to deal with the paper tearing. It does not really add any weight to the finished quilt and keeps everything stabilized.

I've never used paper -- I use leftover fabric for the base. I like scrappy so it doesn't matter if the base is all the same fabric.

Same with me. Keep stitch length short throughout piecing whole thing to make paper removal easier.

Isn't that why there is television? TV time is paper pulling off time! LOL

Anita

I use muslin squares, or maybe even old sheets. That way there is nothing to tear out and it is great with batting or without for a summer weight quilt. Just adding the back makes a nice, light cover. And the squares are on grain, so they stabilize the squares also.

I've used paper for strip quilting many, many times. I like to leave the paper attached until I've finished with the top and then tear it away. It can be a little cumbersome to do an entire quilt top, but the extra stability when sewing it very worth it. At one of my latest classes, I learned to used muslin squares as the base. They don't have to be removed and there's an extra "crispness" to the finished top. I've also experimented with using vertical strips with the horizontal ones and alternating the blocks. It certainly did give a different look the project! Whichever way you decide to strip quilting will work -- do what makes you the happiest.

I would never use paper as a foundation, I used muslin and worked great.

I would leave the paper on until put together in a quilt, although doing it in sections might be prudent. I see this as no different than paper piece blocks - the directions usually advise you to keep the paper on until the blocks are put together.

Thanks again everyone. You have all been so helpful.

Years ago, they left the papers on even after assembly for the extra layer of warmth, so leaving the paper on until the square is attached should not be a problem.

I sew mine to 10" muslin squares. When I'm finished, I just have to piece them together, put a backing on, do minimal quilting (usually corner to corner), and bind. I have also done them w/flannel instead of batting. Makes a lighter weight quilt but very comfy. Have fun. The good thing about this that the muslin does not have to be removed & is completely washable w/the quilt.

I do the old sheet thing, also. I just use the parts of the sheets that are quite worn but have no holes. The edges of a fitted bottom sheet are not worn enough, and would add too much extra weight. I have a box for trash fabric that would work for this. Sometimes I find a bed ruffle at a thrift sale that is just the right weight.

Remember to set your stitch length shorter so that it perforates the paper more. I have done it both ways and sewn on muslin and left in and then no batting. It all works for me.

I use scraps of muslin instead of paper. This way I use up some scraps, my blocks stay square, and
I don't have the mess of removing all that paper. Good luck with your string quilt, they are fun to make
and a good way to use up those leftover strips.

I followed Peggy Martin's guidelines for making a string quilt and she says to take out the paper before joining. I did and it all went together great. No problems and no stretching. I was careful when I took out the paper so I wouldn't stretch the block. Leaving the paper in to the end would have made the quilt hard to handle.

I remove the paper also after I have sewn 4 blocks. Once in a while, if the block is rather large, I will remove the paper and then starch the heck out or the blocks and square them up. I have a couple of pizza boxes full right now of starched trimmed blocks waiting. . . .

I used muslin in mine so i wouldn't have to remove it. But in foundation piecing, i leave the paper on until the blocks are sewn together.

I prefer to use my vast old collection of thin cheap fabrics I have accumulated, or an old worn sheet from the good will. I have used paper and I do not like it as I usually end up tearing out a seam or two along while tearing off the paper.To answer your original question , when I did use paper I tore it off all at once and then regreted it because I had to repair so many blocks .

I'll be making my first string quilt next month at our guild's retreat & we will be using paper foundations, so I'm really interested in the feedback here. I like Audrey's idea of trimming it with an extra 1/4" all the way around. It makes sense to me to keep the paper out of the seam, but still have it there for the stability.

Has anyone ever tried used dryer sheets?

I guess I am lazy. I don't use anything. I just sew strips together and then cut out my block. I have done them so the strips are straight and the same width or I have sewn them so it doesn't matter if my seams are crooked or not. I don't worry about bias. Never had any problems sewing the blocks together.