string quilts
 

Hi, everyone. I am cleaning cupboards and such this week, and everyone knows that is great thinking time. What am I thinking about??-Well, of course which quilt to make next! I think I understand the usual concept of a string quilt. Some of the ones I've seen are built on muslin blocks for a base. My question is, after you do your string work and assemble the quilt, aren't the squares awfully heavy to quilt through? Or is there something I am missing?

I have made many string and crazy quilts using muslin for the base. If I use batting, it will make the quilt heavier, (great for winter), but it doesn't make it any harder to quilt thru. I did a king size string quilt with backing, batting and top that I hand quilted (never again, took me almost a year to do), but it wasn't that hard to quilt.

I think they would be heavy to quilt by hand. If you're using a machine there's usually no problem. No question, it does make for a heavier quilt.

seems like the weight would be equal to, or even less than, a flannel quilt with flannel top and backing. So, should not be a problem quilting!

I have a string quilt on my "have to make one" wish list. I am going to use the middle of an old dust ruffle for the base. The fabric is very light weight and I'm going to use the ruffel for the backing.

What is the purpose of the muslin or dryer sheets? Is it just to keep the bias cuts from stretching? Do you HAVE to use a backing on the blocks?

I'm thinking it would depend on how narrow strips you are using. I did not use a backing on the one I made with 2-1/2" strips. Also it depends on your attitude toward sewing things cut on the bias.

Okay, how narrow can/should you make the strips?? I used 1 inch (finished width) strips in a block and did not seem to have a lot of trouble with stretch. If you make narrower strips, wouldn't the seams be really thick, or do you make 1/8 inch seams then??

Saw a tute on paper piecing one the other day but personally I like the quilt as you go idea. Made one and loved it .

I wrote a tutorial last year for making string quilt blocks without a foundation. It's not a flip-n-sew method. Maybe it will help you.

http://www.seamstobeyouandme.com/wor...uilt-tutorial/

If you use a flip and sew method and put a square of backing fabric, then a square of batting, and then add your strips, you "quilt as you go and when you're through making your blocks all you have to do is sew them together. Lotsa fun and easy, too.

I use paper for the backing on my string blocks...plain old "typing" paper. You can use phone book pages. Shorten your stitch slightly - makes the paper easier to remove. Lately, I haven't even been doing that. I love wonky so I've been free-piecing strips...and any other scrap I can find...when the piece is big enough I cut 8.5" & 6.5" Fun to see what you end up with!

I just did two string blocks from taking the free classes at www.craftsy.com. Go to online classes and look down to the left and click on quilting, the it's about the third or fourth row down. It's the free block of the month. It's on the right of the page. I think it's the first month, but I'm not sure. She has a video and walks you through the two different type of string blocks. One of them uses a backing to sew the pieces of fabric to and the other has you cut the muslin but you just use it as a guide. I think you want to do the second one. Not necessarily the pattern of that particular block, but the way she makes the block without using any backing at the end. Her classes are great! I've made 6 blocks, 2 a month, and it's free!! Check it out.

The blocks I told you about on www.craftsy.com are the first month's blocks. The second block sounds like the one you want to do. The style you prefer, not the pattern, although the pattern is pretty cool!

Oh, wow, I like this idea. Thanks for all the input, now I have more ideas I want to try.

I really like this tutorial. Great explanation and pictures to follow. Have to put this one on my to do (growing) list. Thanks for sharing your post.

Thanks for the great tute Peggi. I am cutting my scrappy strips now & did not want to use a foundation. Making scrappy quilts for each of my 5 grankids to take to the beach.

Thanks for the link. I found it useful and look forward to watching each BOM tutorial.

Peggi - I just read your tut- it has great tips for working without "foundation" (which is what I usually do)- and was informative and amusingly written. Thanks!

I make my string quilts with doodle pads from the dollar store (remember when we called these the 5 & dime?) Anyway, I cut my pads to blocks size, sew my fabric on and when finished it rips off easily and there's your block. I square up with the paper on, btw.
Love these blocks.

The tute is good. I made string quilts before they were popular, but mine were left over scraps from other quilts. Your tute showed some spunk, and that made it fun to read. Thanks! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Backing for your string quilts
 

Since you have done more than one string quilt, would you share your preference for backing these?
I've got one "in the works" and am wondering if a flannel or cotton would be best to back it.
Since we live in Texas, we don't need the extra warmth of any batting.

Thanks for giving out that link. I just made two string blocks a couple of different ways thru the BOM Craftsy course. I really like your method.

You could use a cheaper, thinner muslin, too, if that helps!

I quilted some on my big machine with foundation and didn't have any trouble with it

There is a tutorial in the archives by "Ditter". http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...lt-t60764.html
It is a quilt as you go and I did a lap size for a donation quilt. It is great for using up scraps. I grew up with string quilts as my mom came thru the depression etc and used whatever could be found to make quilts. Quilts were a necessity for warmth on the beds. She hand quilted hers in "shells" better known as "fans". She handquilted her last quilt at 89 just before having to go into a nursing home. Also check out quiltville for ideas. Good luck and have fun.

I prefer to sew on paper and then remove the paper.

I'm working on a sting quilt now, using old telephone book for my foundation. The paper is thin and tears off so easy. Goes very fast.

Thanks bunches for all the replies, tutes, ideas and suggestions. What a great board is this??? I do appreciate everyone!

String quilt from scraps - I have made several and one of my favorites is pieced on dryer sheets - old ones - and I read here recently that isn't such a good idea because of scents and chemicals - too late now! It is for personal use so not a problem, but might be for someone who has health issues. I made mine that way because I actually pieced smaller pieces together to make some of my strips. I cut the sheets to 6" or 6 1/2" square when I was finished doing the flip/sew thing. That was as big as they were. I then cut them on the diagonal and placed a 1 1/2" strip of black on the diagonal seams and sewed them back together. Made a lattice work look when they were all finished and I love it. I didn't have enough of the pieced blocks to do a big enough quilt so I used solid blocks with the black in the middle to go all around the outside of the quilt. Wasn't sure how I would like it, but it quieted it down a little. It has a 3" black border around the outside. My daughter said that if I should come into the family room some day and find it missing I will know she has taken it with her. LOL - I had it longarm quilted and Denise didn't have any problems with it. I got the idea from some friends who were making them for charity quilts and they used scraps even for the center strips. I liked my idea better.

What makes it harder to quilt is the many seams you have to sew thru or over. I usually tie mine. Or better yet use a longer stitch when quilting, I have done both.

I have used really cheap newsprint to make string blocks. The paper comes off quite easily, and squares are easy to cut in multiples.

I, too, use 21/2" strips and do not use muslin to back the strips. I don't have a problem with stretch.

I use paper from the phone book and find it rips off very nicely

love your tutorial Peckish!

I like the way they are with the strings on the base, and a backing and no batting. It's like a summer quilt that my grandmother had years ago. And with my electric blanket , I don't really need the weight!

Oldquilter,
When I make string quilts, I use a muslin foundation and sometimes use batting or flannel between the top and backing.
I machine quilt all of my quilts, don't do any hand quilting anymore.

Lucky for me, our newspaper uses no-smudge inks. When we made weekly trips to wherever our oldest's son's college football game was (on a football scholarship), I'd work on piecing 16" star blocks as we traveled. I'd cut the star diamond pieces out of paper ahead of time and take along a box of scrap string pieces--any size, any color. I quickly learned not to try to match pieces--just grab a piece and go with it, with attention only to alternating dark and light. That kept me occupied for the many hours of travel. I'm finally (years later) putting the blocks together for a quilt for my grandson--one his grandmother pieced while traveling to his dad's college football games. Never give up on those unfinished projects.