String Quilts
 

Ladies,

I would love to make a string quilt. But am a little intimidated. I am very OCD on some things. So, I'm really looking for some info and advice.

Do you cut your strings to a certain width. Or do you just use them as you pull them. Right now, I am sorting them by color. But they are all different widths, from about 1" to about 2 1/2" wide.

If you use the same color and width for your center strip, then mix them all up for the others, you get a certain order amongst the chaos. I think they are prettier that way, myself.

I have done them both ways. One color for the center about 2 inches wide, then random widths. I have also done them completely random.

I allways start with either a 2" or a 2 1/2" inch width for the center of the block. Then what ever I pull out, random widths from the rest, any where from 1 1/2" up to 3". I don't pay any attention to color or patterns.

It's really your choice. That's what's so fun about string quilts. You can sew with random abandon and the quilt will still come out amazing. ~ C

We have an older lady in our Guild who specializes in using scraps for string quilts. She has used old dryer sheets, large commercial size round coffee filters and phone books as base for string quilts. They all come out wonderful! I wish I had a photo of one of her round ones, they end up looking like a dresden plate with a circle appliqued into the center.

There's a good tutorial on this board for a quilt as you go version:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...lt-t60764.html

I use phone book pages and sometimes control the use of color. All colors go together in the finish.

Made string quilts at a local guild event and had one woman who couldn't put random fabrics together. We mixed them up in a brown bag and told her she had to use whatever she pulled out. She complained and fretted for the first block. When she saw it trimmed, she admitted how much fun and freeing that block had been. And she tried a second block. After that she never looked back. Just grabbed and sewed. Maybe you could just try a block or two in this fashion and see if loosens your grip on order:-) Also having the center strip stay constant helps give it some order and forms a secondary pattern when all blocks are sewn together.

Paper Princess thank you so much for putting in this link to Ditter's String Quilt I am going to start one, but I studied the directions and somehow, I am just not understanding how to put it together with the strips. I am a beginner and maybe I just need to start it and see about that when I get there. LOL As I don't have a large enough machine to quilt a large size quilt, I like the idea of quilt as you go method, the only part that worries me is putting it together with the strips, has anyone just made the blocks and sewn those together into a pattern and then put a backing and batting and then tied it ???? that is probably my speed for a strip quilt. Yup, I am chicken LOL

I just grab whatever from my bag of goodies and as long as it isn't the same fabric as something else already in that block - and it's long enough to fit for the next piece, it's golden. I don't care if it "clashes" as when the block is done and used it's so colorful nobody sees that. I also use some selvages sometimes to add a little kick. Some people don't like them- but I think they make it "SEW" interesting! When I cut my blocks I sometimes can use the scraps for other strings or for crumbs. My waste really gets used until it goes into the doggie bed bag because it is just too small for the crumb bag. I'd just sew strings and crumbs and be happy forever.........

Here's one I sewed with 6.5 inch squares of newspaper...

I love making string blocks. I am not a huge fan of crazy uncontrolled scrappy, so when I pull a string from the bin, I make sure it at least goes with the one before. But they are so fun to make.

Here is a nice video. I have not yet used the paper but have made string quilts using light weight squared up xerox paper and did not use a lapel stick but just layed the center strip down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ02NM9-USw

Here is an opportunity to work on your OCD! Just give it a try with ONE random block and see how it feels. I adore string quilts no matter how they are made. You will be surprised how easy and gratifying it is.

Bonnie Hunter works on just 2 blocks at a time.Her website gives directions for this and it really is faster then chain piecing several before you cut them apart and add another piece.

I make string quilts all 1 1/2" width and sash them in black. I like that look.

I made a string quilt, following Ditter's Tutorial, QAYG. It is on my bed as I write this. I did an uncontrolled scrappy, repeating some of the strings. It is gorgeous. The more the colors and prints the better.

I taught a string piecing class and after everyone stewed & fussed over which color strings they were going to use (matched) I had them put them in a brown paper bag and then trade with the person to the right/left of them. You should have heard the groans! After you get used to it, it really is freeing. Of course I never had any problem being free to start with. My mother was a string quilter from waaaay back. I do like to have the center strip the same color because of the secondary design it makes but it's not a must.

Thank you all for your input, advice, pictures, videos. It is helping me tremendously. I think I understand just pulling a string and sewing. I just wasn't sure if I could liberate myself from cutting the strings all the same size. I think I'm going to try to basically use them at whatever size they are right now and see how it goes. I think I am going to piece them on muslin. I live in Florida and I think that this is one quilt that I am not going to use batting in between. I've seen on different blogs that you don't necessarily have to use batting every time. So this whole quilt is going to be one huge trial and error experience. Hopefully it will all work out okay.

I found a great quilt tutorial on quilt as you go. It's a video by Leah Day. It really makes joining the blocks look easy.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7_lwOfZWM8 I might try putting my blocks together like this.

I am also looking for a quilt as you go video that doesn't have sashing. I found this book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1607059010/...I1KJR8RRL9B2D5
I hope this works. It's a book by Jera Brandvig. I would like to see it in person though.

Good Tute! WHAT HAPPENED TO DITTER????? I miss her

Did you buy the book from amazon? Do you mean to see a real quilt or a pic done with this method? Maybe your LQS might be able to help you.....

Depends on if u want a random look or a more control look..I also have to have the material matching..but usually we pick the same sort of material when we buy..so u well be surprise how most of it matches.I like to have the center piece larger..but I also like to mix up the angle they are used..some I have done all at a corner to corner angle..others straight..really they are just fun to play with.after they are finish ..they never stay here very long as my family really likes all the color ..also I have made one with the larger strips in the rag style..it turnout well..just have fun..for the back..if I want a size before I start..use old sheets cut to the size square u want..sew the material to the block as u go..u can use a lite batting when u do this..or none at all if u want a lite cover..

Check out www.maryquilts.com She has lots of free string quilt patterns and good tutorial

Thank you all for the links to tutorials. I especially like the one by Ditter.

No, I didn't buy the book in person yet. Sorry, I guess I really didn't complete my thought on this. I meant to say, I would really like to see the book in person. I want to know that it has the information that I am truly looking for. When I have a bit more time, I will be researching the quilt as you go books to see if they have the info and technique I'm looking for. Loved the video on joining quilted sections though that I posted a link too.

To me, the prettiest string quilts are the ones where there is a solid color, usually white in about a 2" - 2 1/2" strip, then you attach the fabrics in the various widths to either side. You don't cut the strips first, just use random size strips and personally, I haven't seen an ugly one yet.

Update....:)
 

Well, I took in everyone's advice and I thank you all. I started my string quilt. I am using just about everything I have in the scrap bin. With the exception of the "I hate it fabric." Which at times, I still will pull a piece every now and then and use it. I am using a center 1 1/2" wide white center strip. I really feel it does enhance my strips. But, who knows, I may someday do another one without the center white strip. I am really enjoying using those scraps. But, lord, it doesn't look like I've used ANY from that particular drawer. lol :D
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_1354.jpg
I just put them down there, no particular order. But, I did space out the browns and blacks through out the quilt.

Judith1005, your quilt is great! It's amazing how those scraps just keep multiplying on their own, isn't it?:)

That looks great.

Judith---you did a fabulous job on that. I love it.

Your quilt is beautiful! The only string quilt I have made so far was with black and white prints. I guess I have some OCD because I cut my strips in 4 different widths so all the diagonals matched (More or less!). I liked the result, but took longer than I expected. Hopefully one of these days I will make a truly scrappy one!!

Hi Jeanne,

My strips are more or less about an 1 1/2 wide. Some a little less, some a little more. I didn't like it if the strips were more then 2 inches. So, I did do a little trimming. So, not completely scrappy here either. lol

Your string quilt is gorgeous! I really like that you used white in the center of each square. It really makes your quilt look great.