Question on string or scrappy quilts
 

If I make string quilt blocks, I will stitch right sides together and then do I need to iron them open or will it work ok to just press them open with my thumb nail? Or would I be better off stop stir hen them together? Thanks in advance for any replies!!

I usually iron mine but I know others who finger press. Not sure what you meant in the second sentence.

I iron mine as I go. I tried to finger press one time and didn't like the outcome. I chain piece several blocks at a time so when I go to the ironing board I press several blocks at a time. I also move the ironing board as close to my sewing machine as possible. I lower the board so I can use it sitting down and place it at a 90 degree angle to my machine. This way I can just rotate in my chair to press.

I so iron mine but I am a bit compulsive when it comes to wanting my work to lay FLAT...even my blocks in progress.

By top stitch I meant Laing one strip on block. Then taking second strip, folding edge under and stitching to first strip. Stitching would be on top rather than concealed by placing right sides together. Some thins seem so complicated to explain in words. If you were here, it would be so simple to show you :-)

I think your sentence wasn't typed correctly. The idea is clear.

Good idea but look what you wrote.lol I think the top stitching will come when you have to quilt it. You can also quilt as you go with string quilts, if you want.l

It looks like just a few words got deleted from the original message. Happens to me all the time. I prefer ironing as I go. It just makes it all flatter.

Dina

I like using old sheets cut in to 10 inch squares, from there I lay down a strip and then another on on top of it right sides together, then I flip that one over and iron. I repeat process until block is covered then I stitch around the edge of block so nothing comes undone while I'm making the other blocks. I only do these when I need mindless sewing, therefore I also pin them in 10 block stacks so I know when I have enough for a quilt. When the block is done if I want embroidery on it I do that before I pin them into 10 block stacks. I'll use this method also if I'm doing the QAYG process. Clear as mud right, LOL I press as I do...........

same here. I use the same setup.

I do like AudreyB. Chain sew the pieces then iron. However I keep my ironing board in the next room so I have to get up and walk around. I found I did better this way and felt much more comfortable for longer periods of time. My focus was better too.

You lay one piece of fabric on the other. Don't fold the next one under, just lay right side to right side that is already down. Sew them, get another strip, lay it right side to right side and go on like that. Don't top stitch it down, you'll do that when you quilt it. Just right side to right side.

I got it :-) I guess I had my fingers on the wrong keys. That's what happens when you don't proof read! Sorry for the confusion...

I like to iron mine after each strip and I will do a stack of them at a time. Last year I made 3 QAYG string quilts for our group. One was random placement of colors- very scrappy. The 2nd one each block was the same- same strip insame place on every block. So I sewed a strip on each side of each block before I ironed them down. The last one was a red/blue with a cream strip in the center. I had drafted it out and colored in with colored pencil so I did a row at a time. Completed each row before I moved to the next.
I actually prefer to do 2 strips on about 5 blocks before I iron.

I start in the center diagonally and work my way to the edges in both directions -- therefore 2 strips are added before each pressing. Also I chain, so several blocks go to the ironing board at one time.

I iron as I go. I usually one strip to one side of the center strip and then one strip to the other side, then I iron. I then add one strip to each side, then iron ... is that clear as mud?

I press seams to one side rather than press them open (unless the pattern calls for it). The theory behind it is that pressing a seam open weakens the seam.

After reading some of the other posts, I think what is meant here is: would I be better off to top stitch them together.

I press as I go, just seems to lay flatter and so much easier for me. Some great tips on this link, thanks peeps,

Why not lay them face to face and stitch them rather than folding seam allowance and stitching on top?? It's really much easier.

I would not top stitch them together. I would lay strips right sides together, then press the newly sewn piece over. There are "wooden pressing bars" that work pretty well, but if you chain piece as some suggested, you can take all your chained pieces to the ironing board and press at one time.

I keep my ironing board lowered to a comfortable height to use at my sewing machine. I just came across this tutorial for strip pieced blocks that would make up quickly and easily. http://bloomingpoppies.net/tutorials...tyle-tutorial/

http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...lt-t60764.html
you might want to check out Ditter's tutorial here on the QB on doing a string quilt.

I have to iron when I am foundation piecing. I tried the finger pressing method, but it seems to stretch the fabric out of shape on some of the bias edges. I have also lowered my ironing board so that I just sew and swivel to the left to iron. I have also seen where people have converted those TV tray tables to mini ironing surfaces. If you don't have room for the full ironing board, this seems like a great idea.

I like this idea!

bookmarked both of these tutes for using up some scraps. thanks for the links.

I iron my seams. Makes a nicer fit when sewing on the next row. I sew one row completely, then iron it. lay it aside. But you can sew a bunch of single rows, iron them all at same time before sewing them together. I guess that is the more efficient way of doing things. I think its personal preference here.

This is exactly my set up too!!!

I use a thin foundation. For a "clutz" like me, it's perfect.

I made a couple string quilts back in the summer. I sew at my kitchen table and am not able to keep my iron close by. So I used my trusty Elmer's (purple) disappearing glue stick. I used muslin foundation squares with a 2 inch white string diagonal in the center. I sewed a string onto the white piece, finger pressed my string over and held it in place with a bit of glue stick. Then I sewed the next string on and repeated the process until I had my foundation covered. The glue held the string down nice flat, almost as good as ironing it.

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This is how I do mine also..........I sew a strip diagonally down the middle then I can put a variety of one color on one side and another color on the other side of the first strip, that way you can turn them to make any pattern you want when you have all your block done. I've done the red and white and blue Veterans quilts this way. Nice way to use up all your scraps too.

Sherry: that little gal sure is cute. Does she sew yet?

I've not done the strings on a backing, but I also have not used extremely narrow ones. I just finger press (more like thumb nail press) as I go with any sewing unless extreme precision is required.

To like to keep my blocks all neatly stacked so I'm not always wondering if I have enough made.

I iron after each new piece sewn to the base cloth.

I press every seam I sew.