GEMRM

http://www.quilterscache.com/E/EasySpiderWebBlock.html

Is this the one you're talking about? Based on a triangle with a centre white piece , the blocks come together to make the larger block pattern.

Watson

GEHRM...I really like that one, but it's paper piecing. I found a nice free pattern for that same block with string piecing.... https://quiltingcubby.com/make-this-...ag-of-strings/

Watson

tranum

Muslin or a old thin sheet from a Thrift Store works for me. I don’t want to spend time removing paper. If my sheet backing has stripe or color, I usually double the white so it won’t show through. I have a thin curtain fabric I picked up to use next time.

zozee

Watson, if you have mostly 2.5" strips already, you could make something like this. No foundation required. Granted, this one is made from a "real" jelly roll with a limited number of prints. However, you could still design your own, maybe choosing a colorway you like. It would prevent most of the hassle of cutting to various widths . I have it on my design wall now, and really like playing with the layout.

Whatever center strip you use on each block will dominate the pattern when you put it all together. So if you want all white diamonds, use all white centers. If you'd rather mix up the colors but still have diamonds visually "guiding"the overall design, make sure you choose 4 prints of a certain color for the centers (in this pattern).

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...57CF&FORM=VIRE

maviskw

This is the way to go. No need to go out and buy new. Any old trash fabric will work but it should be thin.
The well-worn parts of bed sheets work wonderfully. The outside edge pieces of a worn fitted bottom sheet will probably still be too thick.

SusieQOH

Watson, I've used the paper they use in bakeries and it makes a great surface for sewing your strips on. I bought some at Meier for like 50 cents for a huge pack of sheets.

Jojk

I always iron ahead of time - for bulk work I stand at the ironing board. I always iron press my seams but I'm too lazy to get up every time so I have a table beside me with a wool press mat and a little pointy iron. Its so much easier to pivot to that after sewing the seam. And since I'm a pinner, its a good surface for that as well.

Theresa

The pic above by Sewbizgirl is a perfect example of a string quilt! Decide ahead of time how big you want your blocks. My backing (a light gauze) is cut 1/2" bigger, so when the block is done there is some trim room. The tricky part for me is the triangles at the end of both corners. Ideally, I like for them to be big enough so when I trim the excess 1/2" there is still enough fabric to work into the design. (Once your 1/4" seam is used on two sides of it, I don't want it to disappear!) Another thought: a variety of widths is visually pleasing on these blocks. Enjoy the process! These are so fun to make!

Friday1961

I'd iron them. And cut a few narrower than 2 1/2, just to vary the width of the strips. And yes, I ironed after sewing each strip or string. It's easier if you have an iron by your side but I not only had to get up, I went to another room! But it's okay; I always need the exercise, lol.

I also started with a white strip/string, always the same width. But string quilts without a central strip are striking, I think. I used Carol Doaks paper left over from paper piecing a Union Jack quilt about 2 years ago.

There are a lot of photos of string or strip quilts both on QB and available thru Google. Is there a difference between string quilts and strip quilts? I'm using the terms as though they were the same.

Corky

I made a string quilt out of leftover strips of bright plaids (which I love and collect). I used purple as the center strip. You've inspired me to make another one