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String Quilt Block Rnd 2

Launch gallery slideshow

Swap Coordinator:crochetjunkie (contact)
Swap categories: Fabric  Sewing  Quilting 
Number of people in swap:14
Location:International
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Last day to signup/drop:October 31, 2009
Date items must be sent by:November 30, 2009
Number of swap partners:2
Description:

This is not my block, but I think it is simply beautiful!

Here's another beautiful version...I am doing one similar to this for myself only instead of pink I am using red. It will be beautiful! Anyways....

This is a higher stakes quilting swap. You will be making 6 of these quilt blocks for 2 different partners. So you will be making a total of 12 of these blocks. You will also be including at least 10 pieces of "scraps" that your partner can use in future quilt projects. These pieces must measure at least 2 inches wide by 4 inches long or bigger. Nothing too teeny.

This is for experienced as well as beginner quilters. This is such a simple quilt block and it's alot of fun to do. A great way to get rid of a bunch of scraps!

We will be going a bit smaller then the pattern says to. We will be sending 6 1/2 size blocks to our partners.

Here is a super simple tutorial for how to make these.

There are two ways of doing the string quilts...paper piecing and then using a foundation fabric. DO NOT USE THE PAPER PIECING METHOD! This is the foundation fabric method!!

When you get your pieces from your partners you should have enough to do a pillow or two, placemats, a purse, or to add to a stack of quilt blocks for a variety quilt.

YOU WILL IRON EACH PIECE DOWN ON THE STRING BLOCK AS YOU SEW THEM. NOT IRONING THEM CAN RESULT IN HORRIBLY MADE STRING BLOCKS. THIS IS A QUALITY QUILTING SWAP.

Since this should be light weight, the swap is open to international participants as well.

More info:

1.) You can use the same fabric in the same square only 2 times.

2.) If you want the scrap pieces to match the blocks you can, but you don't have to. Also, don't have more then 2 pieces of scraps the same fabric to each person. So don't send 10 pieces of the same fabric to one person. That kinda defeats the purpose. LOL

Some particulars:

  • You must have a rating of at least 4.95 or higher.
  • No no-sends with-in the last 3 months.
  • You need to have at least 10 package swaps that YOU HAVE BEEN RATED FOR under your belt.
  • If I get a "hinky" feeling about you, your profile or your ratings, I reserve the right to remove you from the swap for the protection of my other joiners.

UPDATE 101909

Make sure when you are putting your squares together that you do NOT use strips any wider then 1.5 inches before sewing. Some of the participants do not want to have huge wide strings in their quilt. I think, when using a 1.5 block and the 1/4 in foot that will put each strip on as 1 inch. That will be a nice width. If you want to go more narrow, go for it. But nothing wider then that.

UPDATE 102909

  1. Quilting cotton is best. However since this is a scrapbuster, some other cottons are acceptable.
  2. Yes the strings must be sewn diagonally. Horizontal and Vertical squares are not acceptable and are not true string blocks in my opinion.
  3. Basting the edges is not necessary. That part will be taken care of when the squares are sewn together in whatever project your partner uses them for.
  4. MAKE SURE YOUR SQUARES ARE NOT MATCHY-MATCHY!! Try not to use fabrics that are too coordinating...like strings from the same line of fabrics that will cause the squares to be matchy. This pulls from the true beauty of the idea behind the squares.

Discussion

junemoon 10/19/2009 #

The examples you show are beautiful, as you say. The top one is traditional -- string quilts are usually made to use up scraps from previous projects and are all sorts of colors and patterns and I love them. The second one, as you say, is also beautiful. I can't imagine making such a block unless I had a lot of excess from one project -- and some people might. But something that looks so planned would not fit into a traditional string quilt.

I hope I get traditional blocks. And I hope people don't feel they should purchase fabric specifically for string blocks, unless they simply don't have any scraps of their own -- maybe they should ask their friends for scraps.

imjustaguywhoquilts 10/19/2009 #

These blocks are so fun and fast once you get the hang of it. Thaks Jennifer for starting another round. Might I suggest starting a flicker group for folks to show off their string blocks?

crochetjunkie 10/19/2009 #

That sounds like a great idea Ryan...I may do that once I figure out how! LOL

June...I can see the beauty of each of the quilts. I looked at the woman's photos and she made this quilt for a baby shower. So, obviously it was planned.

I do like doing the traditional string blocks. I think they are beautiful on their own. I think when I am putting them together I am going to use a neutral color as a boarder between the squares so the colors and beauty can pop instead of muddling together into one "uni-color." so to speak. LOL

I do admit tho, to using the string method for a black, white and red quilt I am making for my husband and myself. i think i'm also going to use it to make a colts quilt for my lil sis and her hubby too. It's super easy and super fast. once you get the iron set up and at your elbow...lol...and you got all your strips the perfect size...it's go time! LOL

crochetjunkie 10/19/2009 #

Make sure you notice the updates I added to the bottom of the swap description!!!

junemoon 10/20/2009 #

A hint for those in the swap -- the quickest way is to use an assembly line method. Make a pile of your 12 muslin squared and a pile of your strips, sew a strip onto each square, then iron them one after the other, alternate sewing and ironing then you're not moving from sewing machine to ironing board every 10 seconds. But maybe everyone figured that out already.

imjustaguywhoquilts 10/20/2009 #

Jennifer and I did create a flicker group to share photos of the blocks you make if you want. Here is the address:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1263980@N21/

crochetjunkie 10/21/2009 #

I figured that out after my first few, June. I was like, man I'm doing alot of getting up here! LOL

MamaD 10/21/2009 #

Link to the Flickr group

=D And yes, I joined!

junemoon 10/22/2009 #

Just made the ones for this swap -- this is getting addictive.

crochetjunkie 10/22/2009 #

I know, tell me about it june!

mgarrt 10/28/2009 #

Quilters, I want to join this swap but do not know exactly what I am doing. Would you help me out by answering a few questions that I have so that you all get something from me that you can use? Do the strings have to be quilting cotton? Do the strings need to be sewn together on the diagonal of the square or would horizontal be acceptable? Do I need to baste the edges of the foundation to the "top" part prior to sending? JuneMoon: I am one of the braindead ones that would have gone back and forth from sewing to ironing; thanks for the easier method:) Thanks, in advance for all of your help!!! Melissa

fabricmom 10/28/2009 #

MGARRT- just sent you a message answering your questions.

TC 10/28/2009 #

I am really loving how these blocks are making a serious dent in my scrap stash!

crochetjunkie 10/30/2009 #

@mgarrt I will answer you here so others can know the answers as well.

  1. Quilting cotton is best. However since this is a scrapbuster, some other cottons are acceptable.
  2. Yes the strings must be sewn diagonally. Horizontal and Vertical squares are not acceptable and are not true string blocks in my opinion.
  3. Basting the edges is not necessary. That part will be taken care of when the squares are sewn together in whatever project your partner uses them for.
junemoon 11/ 2/2009 #

I have just posted the string quilt, lap size, that I made from the first round of this swap on my blog -- go to my profile and click "web site" -- it is a double sided quilt and I described some of my method.

Cakers 11/ 6/2009 #

@junemoon - I just looked at the quilt and I saw the ones I sent you in the last round. How very cool to see them used already, thank you so much for sharing. It's a beautiful quilt and I'm glad I could contribute. :-)

Patty

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