String Blocks - What Was I Thinking!?
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,066
I do string quilt blocks on phone book pages I use best press before I square them up and then sit a few minutes and remove the papers. I would be overwhelmed if I waited until they were all sewn. Then I press again with Best Press. Also use a tweezers and small scissors to remove paper, seems to work well for me. I store them in a plastic square storage container.
#16
Power Poster
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
#17
I've done several string quilts with phone book pages - the books have been printed for quite a while so I think the ink is pretty stable, unlike freshly printed newspapers. I've never had any ink come off and stain the fabric.
#18
I have said this before and will continue to because It is one of the best things I have learned to do that has improved my piecing.
Elmers Washable School Glue is wonderful for holding bias seams in place for sewing. I also use it to hold intersecting seams where I really want points to match, long seams, attaching binding (especially bias binding). It is a great sewing tool.
As for string quilts or any paper piecing, which I love to do, starch the fabrics well, remove the paper after I finish a few blocks and starch the blocks again. It is such a chore if I wait till the end of making all the blocks. Doing it a few at a time is much easier, emotionally.
So sorry for all the trouble you encountered. Keep seeking easier methods and never give up!
peace
EDIT: Taking the paper off before sewing blocks together has never been a problem and with string blocks, if they get a little distorted due to stretching, just trim them back to size, no problem.
Elmers Washable School Glue is wonderful for holding bias seams in place for sewing. I also use it to hold intersecting seams where I really want points to match, long seams, attaching binding (especially bias binding). It is a great sewing tool.
As for string quilts or any paper piecing, which I love to do, starch the fabrics well, remove the paper after I finish a few blocks and starch the blocks again. It is such a chore if I wait till the end of making all the blocks. Doing it a few at a time is much easier, emotionally.
So sorry for all the trouble you encountered. Keep seeking easier methods and never give up!
peace
EDIT: Taking the paper off before sewing blocks together has never been a problem and with string blocks, if they get a little distorted due to stretching, just trim them back to size, no problem.
Last edited by ube quilting; 08-05-2018 at 03:18 AM.
#20
I always string piece on USED fabric such as the sides of worn cotton sheets or thrift store cotton flannel blanket but my favorite was on squares cut from a quilted bed skirt. The last only needed a lining and a little tacking. Just cannot deal with that paper!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post