what is string quilts? i have heard of it but don't really know what it is. is it a quilt done in strips?


jeanette

Here is a website that shows how to do it:


http://quiltville.com/stringquiltingprimer.shtml
String Quilting Primer

And I am attaching one that I made.

PS....I use squares of newspaper for my foundation... there are other methods used tho

you can't tell from Patsy's, but the seams on string quilts don't have to match so beautifully and so purrrrfectly. the idea is to use up all those narrow scraps we end up with.

EVERYTHING patsy does comes out gorgeous. i'm sooooo jealous! :P

Oh thanks Patrice....I'm blushing! :oops: But this was one of very few that I made sure the strips were all the same width...usually mine are more scrappy and don't line up like this.....I do prefer to make the center strip the same color tho....just a personal preference!

My strippy quilt is made of pinks and greens. One green strip is the first strip down running "almost" diagonally. Many are off "kilter". Half of the greens are from upper left to lower right; the other half are from upper right to lower left. Then when set, the greens cause "Xs" or "Vs". The balance of the blocks are in many, many pinks of different widths. (There is only one green per block.) -- Saw this technique on "Simply Quilts".

I used old fabric as my base cut larger than needed and then squared up when done. I didn't use a batting. It is tied and used as a summer quilt.

Suzanne

I love that quilt Patsy, really like the homey look of scrap quilts, also like the idea that we're making something bootiful out of bits that would otherwise be thrown away :P .

You can add string piecing into your quilts, it doesn't have to be the whole quilt. here's one I made where the melons are string pieced, also over newspaper (works 4 me 2 and it's free :D ) Then added into a co-ordinated patt.

Here is another example, this one I covered squares of paper with strips on the diagonal, then chopped them up to make half square triangles.

thanks everyone for your help. patsy and shelly i really love your quilts.

jeanette

Here is my one and only string

Shelly those are GREAT! New ideas!!! Just need to find time now! LOL Got TONS of scraps!

I love that quilt Ruth, co-ordinating that center strip makes it look like it's in a lattice frame, choice :thumbup:

Patsy: Lol I know the feeling, so many quilts, sew little time (sigh)

I did mine on a muslin square and started in center, diagonally, and just
added strips until covered. Good way to use scraps.

They're all beautiful! When using newspaper, is there something to be done to it first so the print does't transfer to the material?

I heard once that butlers would iron the newspaper before giving it to thier employer so the ink wouldn't get on their hands.

Love all these strip quilts, looks like it might be fun to try one.

Mary

Patsy, Shelly and Ruth, Your quilts are all beautiful, what an awesome collection! :D You have me looking at my scrap bin now and the wheels are a turning :lol:

what beautiful quilts. makes me want to dive into my scrap bin and get busy;)

Actually I think thats probably a very good idea Celeste :D . I didn't at the time and don't recall any problems, but it was a very long time ago, it would also pre-shrink the paper so there would be no probs that way as well

i guess we should all make sure our butlers iron our newspapers, then. :lol: :wink: :D

LOL :lol: :lol: :lol:

I have never had any trouble with it transfering to my material....just my hands while I am cutting the squares out... but then it does get ironed after the first couple of strips are attached so maybe there is something to that ironing bit!! LOL

Uh, ohhh you can't stop at one. :wink: Let's see if I can work a link to my bug strings.

http://thumb18.webshots.net/t/59/759...8YPNuuH_th.jpg

piney

I just stumbled on this string quilt and really liked it.

http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/VictorianaQuilters/CharityQuilt/CharityQuilt.htm

Incidentally, this is a site full of information and helps.

Suzanne

OK...raise your hands....how many of you have enuf scraps to make 10 string quilts! LOL I know I do....at least 10! But do I make them.....about one a year and by that time, with all the scraps I have collected over the year... I have enuf to make 10 more!

http://bestsmileys.com/waving/2.gif


piney

Oh, I like yours too, pinecone :D Very colorful :D I think after Christmas I will have to try one of these :D

It is mindless sewing. Just grab a square of muslin and give it a whirl, you don't have to wait 'till after Christmas to do one block .... come on in, the water is fine. :wink:

piney

oh yea!!!!!!!!! i made 3 scrappy quilts and thought, no more scraps for a while. wrong. barely made a dent :roll: :roll: :roll:

Oh, I love string and scrappy quilts. They are so comfy and homey. These all look great!

:wink: I saw an idea in a book you sew strips or strings together and make your fabric then cut them into diamond shapes, I suppose you could use other shapes, It's a easier way to the old antigue string quilts by Hand unless of course you want to do it the way My Great Granny does it but takes forever!!!!

String quilts are normally scrappy and beautiful, but you can also go with a color theme, by sorting the scraps by color. I just finished 2 fall quilts, using all fall colors and fall pattern fabric, all string sqs in the center of the quilt. Theres alot of ideas to apply with just alittle thought, and creativity in using string quilts. I've still got some other ideas.

Rebecca, please post some pictures :D I would love to see your quilts and new ideas are always appreciated and admired :D :D

I really really want to, but I don't have the capabilities,

Heres another string quilt