String Quilt Tutorial

As promised here is a quick tutorial of how I used foundation paper piecing for this string quilt, it's really fast and easy....

All that's needed is a tub of string scraps and a telephone directory. String scraps are strips of scrap fabrics measuring 3/4 - 2 inches wide.....length can vary even pieces as short as 3 inches can be used up in this technique as long as your paper foundation is covered. 

In the UK we have these dinky telephone directories. The size is perfect for a 6 inch finished block.... I pull out a few pages in a wad and quickly cut of the glue residue from the edge with a rotary cutter and ruler and then trim to a square roughly 7 inches x 7 inches. You can if you think it necessary draw a diagonal line on each piece of paper however I don't.

From your tub of string scraps take a light and dark string, place right sides together and sew right on the diagonal line. For this quilt design a good contrast between the light and dark fabrics for the first two pieces really adds to the design.

It is necessary to press each piece as sewn so have your pressing station close to your sewing machine and press open.

Keep adding lighter coloured fabric to the light side of your square, they don't have to be in any particular order just as long as the colours are in the light to medium range. Make sure you cover the paper foundation and be sure to press open after each piece is added. 

Now pull darker strings from your tub and add to the darker side of the square, again no particular order as long as these strings are in the medium to dark colour range.

Once all of your paper is cover it will look like this from the back.....

I used a 6 1/2inch square up ruler and trimmed to 6 1/2 inches x 6 1/2 inches.

I made up 48 blocks and then removed the paper,  this paper is very easy to remove.

Then all that is necessary is to choose your layout. The contrast fabrics on the diagonal provide many opportunities for choice...

I chose a layout that gave a diagonal looking block design where the darker part of the blocks fell to the edge of the quilt and gave the impression of lighter blocks in the middle. I added a red border and quilted with an all over pantograph design by One Song Needle Arts called Chocolate Leaves.

I have the best customers....

In between horsey blog posts I am trying to catch up with some recent customer quilts too.....

This lovely geometric quilt is a gift for Doreen's Granddaughter to take to Uni with her.....Doreen and her Granddaughter chose the fabrics together  and asked for it to be quilted the same as a previous quilt with Happy Times pantograph with silver grey thread.

It turned out really well and is now all ready for a trip to Aberdeen....

This lovely sampler quilt is destined as a Silver Wedding anniversary gift. My customer asked for an all over design and chose Sherry Berry and a pale lilac/silvery thread.

My customer Anne and I were really pleased with the finished quilt.

I've been trying to usefully use up a bucket full of scraps.....A while ago I made up this string quilt....watch out for a quick tutorial on this technique very soon.....I mean very, very soon

Sundries.....

As usual it's a bit soon to show any customer quilts just yet this month but they will be delivered soon. Instead here are a few photos of the 'Delightful Stars' sampler sew a-long I'm  doing.  It's surprising how quickly this quilt is coming together even though I seem to be doing it in fits and starts, although we will still be sewing-a-long till into August.

So that is another 3 stars plus a Friendship Star to send off to Canada for the Teacher......

I had a commission to make a set of Aga hob covers so decided to make two sets same fabrics slightly different binding and stars. I think I like the stars with the skinny spikes best.  For those of you who have never heard of an Aga, it's a stove for heat and cooking. The hob covers save the stainless steel covers from getting scratched by plates and pans and also let you warm your hands when it's cold outside without getting your fingers burned.

I seem to have overflowing scrap bins, this is the second flimsy I've pieced up recently and guess what the bins don't look any different now than they did when I started.  Another quilt top in the queue for quilting.....