String Blocks - What Was I Thinking!?
08-03-2018, 05:52 AM
#1
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String Blocks - What Was I Thinking!?
I made some string blocks on a paper foundation.
That went well and good.
Then I decided to stitch about 1/8 inch all the way around each block - while the paper was still on the back.
It seemed like such a good idea to leave the paper on and keep the units stable - there were all those bias edges and floppy corners to keep in place.
Then I sewed the units together.
That paper was a challenge to remove from the seams.
Next time - I might use a very long basting stitch to keep the edges in place - or not. Maybe a touch of glue to keep the corners from flopping?
That went well and good.
Then I decided to stitch about 1/8 inch all the way around each block - while the paper was still on the back.
It seemed like such a good idea to leave the paper on and keep the units stable - there were all those bias edges and floppy corners to keep in place.
Then I sewed the units together.
That paper was a challenge to remove from the seams.
Next time - I might use a very long basting stitch to keep the edges in place - or not. Maybe a touch of glue to keep the corners from flopping?
08-03-2018, 07:08 AM
#4
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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Originally Posted by Jane Quilter
How about some spray starch on the final press of the block, then trim/square up the block. It should hold for you. So sorry for your bad experience.
and allow for a nice clean/square trimming.
If using paper ... be like PP'ers ... use a short stitch and the paper will come off with no problems at all.
08-03-2018, 07:10 AM
#5
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Location: Houston, TX
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I just finished a string quilt on paper foundation. I didn't stitch around the blocks before putting them together. I just stitched the strings to the paper and then stitched the blocks together and it worked fine.
08-03-2018, 07:58 AM
#6
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Originally Posted by cashs_mom
I just finished a string quilt on paper foundation. I didn't stitch around the blocks before putting them together. I just stitched the strings to the paper and then stitched the blocks together and it worked fine.
08-03-2018, 11:21 AM
#8
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Location: Houston, TX
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Originally Posted by Tartan
I did a big Spiderweb quilt with piecing on telephone pages. The quilt turned out but I discovered that I don’t like having to remove paper.
08-03-2018, 01:58 PM
#9
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Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Buckinghamshire, England
Posts: 628
I do lots of PP and I really don’t mind doing the paper. I use a stiletto or small pair of scissors to help, and because I use a stitch length of 1.4 (or 1.2 for teeny tiny areas) it all comes out fine. I do it front of the tv with the bin next to me.
08-03-2018, 04:11 PM
#10
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Location: Central Ohio
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Bear, don't you hate it when good intentions turn on you and bite? 
I just started a string project and I decided to starch them because they don't feel stable. I think that will help a lot.
I don't mind the papers,either. Kind of fun as long as you have a short enough stitch length.
I just started a string project and I decided to starch them because they don't feel stable. I think that will help a lot.
I don't mind the papers,either. Kind of fun as long as you have a short enough stitch length.
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