susiequilt

I think it's because some are using small scraps that could have been cut any which way.

Peckish

They're bias because of how they're made. You do cut the fabric on the grain and sew it, but the block itself is cut on the bias, which then gives you the neat designs.

Hopefully this picture will help explain.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]347818[/ATTACH]

DawnFurlong

I, too, am curious about the dryer sheets. Do those get pulled off later (such as one does with paper in paper piecing)?

Peckish

No, they stay permanently in the quilt. This has been a discussion of note in the past, some people have allergies and sensitivities to dryer sheets, and I believe most charities request dryer sheet-free quilts for this reason.

I used dryer sheets in one quilt, just one, and I will never ever do it again. I do not have allergies/sensitivites and the dryer sheets were used, but halfway through the quilt it got overwhelming and I had to put it aside for a few months.

w7sue

I have made several with dryer sheets - I just leave them in - they do fine in the final quilting process. I have seen posts about them causing problems with people with allergies - if you use dryer sheets, I recommend using the in the dryer four of five times, iron them between two sheets of newspaper to remove excess oils, then sew your strips onto them. I used to save mine in a basket on the dryer and when I wanted to do some blocks, I would toss all of them into the dryer with a load of clothes then iron and sew. I used Kirkland for a long time and I could get a 6" block from them (5.5" finished). I used a block that you cut in half, then added a strip of black down the middle - it made a really pretty lattice look and was super simple!

Krystyna

It really does help to stabilize the base and makes accurate cuts so much easier. I've made two without a base and will never do it again. But as someone suggested ... try it both ways. Why not experiment with a mini quilt first?

janegb

I haven't felt the need to use a base for String quilts.

coopah

Ditto. My string quilts were made before they had a name and following and books written about them. I sewed together leftover strips from other quilt projects, then cut them and stitched them back into a pattern I liked. Never have used a "base." Experiment and do what gives you the best result.

joym

[QUOTE=coopah;5352856]Ditto. My string quilts were made before they had a name and following and books written about them. I sewed together leftover strips from other quilt projects, then cut them and stitched them back into a pattern I liked. Never have used a "base." Experiment and do what gives you the best resul

I have done both ways. If you use a muslim base, it makes the quilt very heavy. I no longer use a base however, I am not the most particular quilter either. sloppy you might say.....but, I like the end result...

mhansen6

I make string quilts Quilt as you go. It saves so much time and effort. I use fusible batting and they come out perfect every time.