Strip an string quilts
 

What is the difference between strip and string quilts? Thank you, Jeanne

My interpretation is a strip is atleast 2" wide including 1/2 " seam allowance. String is more narrow and like a scrap. Like I stated "my interpretation". Bonnie Hunter has videos for patterns to explain using scraps.

That is an interesting question. I think strings are various smaller pieces while stripes may be larger and possible the same width???

I strip piece all the time, but I don't think the results qualify as strip quilts. My personal definition of a strip is any long, skinny piece of fabric. Some of mine are ¾" wide unfinished, some are much wider, none are scraps. I don't have a definition of a string, not as it relates to quilting anyway. :) I'm not much help at all I guess, huh?

I think I have thought of strip quilts are quilt patterns that are pieced from "strips" like jelly rolls or other cut strip widths that are sewn together and often cross-cut and sewn together in a pattern. String quilts on the other hand are more free-form quilt designs made from long scrappy pieces or cut strips in various widths and usually sewn together with a paper or muslin foundation in a free form design.

In my opinion string quilts use 1-1/4 - 2" strips wide. Strip quilts are 2-1/2 - 3" wide strips
I also think all string quilts use a foundation or done in a QAYG block.
I may not be right but, that is how I do them.

strips imply a particular cut size all the same; strings are just that -- any little thing you can find and all different sizes!

My personal opinion is that strips and strings are one and the same. No difference as far as I can tell by looking at patterns in the books I have. Just depends on which name you like best.

Interesting question. I think the difference is in the spelling - string vs strip.

I am making a string quilt and have used a thin muslin to sew the "strings" to although you can also use phone book pages or other thin paper. My strips or strings vary in size depending on what I have in my scrap stash. I've done 4 squares so far (it's my fill in project, so no rush) and they look very nice. I have used white as the first and center string going from corner to diagonal corner for each block.

so if I am using strips to make a log cabin, would I sew them onto a light muslin also, or just sew them together???

String quilts are (generally) scrap quilts made from scrap strips of fabric in various widths/lengths. Strip quilts are (again, generally) made from a specific width/length of fabric strips - cut from new fabrics or using precuts. ( jelly roll quilts are strip quilts) , not string quilts

LOL Good way to decide.

When I think of strip quilts I think of the Jelly Roll Race quilt. My string quilts come from my scrap drawer and are various widths and lengths and I sew them to a foundation, usually phone book pages.

This is my scrap/strip quilt that I just finished....they were strips and scraps....My mom made these all the time I was growing up, because all she would have was scraps other people would give her......they helped keep us warm on many cold nights.. so many quilts on the bed, you couldn't turn over....LOL I used the 10" piecing papers from Missouri Star Quilt Co...

I do not sew log cabin blocks onto muslin. I just sew my strips together.

I just completed 128 what I call string blocks to make two string block quilts similar to yours. I made my blocks 8.5 inches, no foundation used. After all the blocks not sure I have the energy to make a strip pieced border. Here I was trying to reduce my scrap pile but that didn't happen.

These I would classify as string quilts due to the strips of fabric being various widths and lengths. I like your top.

lol,my interpretation also

Shayarene, most log cabins are strip quilts and do not need to be sewn onto a foundation. I have made 2 and just pieced them like regular quilts, my log strips were 2" or 2 1/2" wide. However, if your "log strips" are very long and thin (1" wide or less) and you are making large blocks, a foundation can't hurt.