string quilts why use base?
07-10-2012, 05:10 AM
#31
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Location: Mena, Arkansas
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I don't use a backing, but then I don't make my string quilts in the typical manner, either. I sew long strips of fabric cut from the whole width of the yard, not scraps. I sew my strips together, starch the snot out of them, then I cut on the bias into squares and assemble. The starch stabilizes the bias edges.
07-10-2012, 05:30 AM
#34
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: USA
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I love scrappy string quilts but hate tearing and picking those bits off the seams. I am looking for a way to do it that is both light weight and cheap. I mean I need it cheap, or else I wouldn't be using scraps, would I?
07-10-2012, 06:51 AM
#36
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I'm taking the BOM from Craftsy classes and one month we did string quilts. We didn't cut on the bias. We did two blocks. One we had backing, and the second we had backing just so we knew how long to make our pieces, but we didn't use the backing...we cut it away after we sewed our string block together. I liked that method better because the block was thinner. But, like I said, we weren't using bias fabric. Anyway, why do you use bias fabric for string quilts? Wouldn't it be easier to cut on the grain? Am I missing something?
07-10-2012, 06:52 AM
#37
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That's exactly what I do. Or paper and remove it. But, I'm finding the paper removal is very tedious. So, am sticking to fabric that doesn't need to come off in the future.
07-10-2012, 06:55 AM
#38
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Spokane WA
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String quilt strips
If I'm using true scraps for string quilts I usually cut so I get the most out of the scrap. This might mean that some come out on the bias and some on straight grain. If one sews a bias cut strip laid diagonally on a foundation square then the outer edge will be on straight of grain when trued up. If the strip starts out on straight of grain the outer edge will be bias when laid on foundation.
07-10-2012, 07:02 AM
#39
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
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I'm taking the BOM from Craftsy classes and one month we did string quilts. We didn't cut on the bias. We did two blocks. One we had backing, and the second we had backing just so we knew how long to make our pieces, but we didn't use the backing...we cut it away after we sewed our string block together. I liked that method better because the block was thinner. But, like I said, we weren't using bias fabric. Anyway, why do you use bias fabric for string quilts? Wouldn't it be easier to cut on the grain? Am I missing something?
07-10-2012, 07:40 AM
#40
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Any place I can sew
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Since these are made with strips of fabric why bother with a paper or muslin/fabric base?
Couldn't you just sew strips together then cut out the shape you want whether it's square of triangle?
If it's because of the bias edges which would only be the width of each strip there should be very little stretching.
What am I missing?
Couldn't you just sew strips together then cut out the shape you want whether it's square of triangle?
If it's because of the bias edges which would only be the width of each strip there should be very little stretching.
What am I missing?
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