Wednesday, January 23, 2008

String quilt...

I should have known better than to post and not give details. I always love to receive details so I humbly apologize for not sharing all the current particulars for the blocks I'm making.

I think Beth came up with the 4 inch measurement because she was in close proximity to the actual quilt. Although I think I remember her stating in an email that she kinda wished she had gone smaller. These are perfect for me. I'm making them 4 inches, so they finish at 3.5" when sewn together.

I cut my strips at 1", 1 1/4" and 1 1/2". I did not measure with extreme precision. I just guided it toward the line and whacked.I cut way too many strips...I already know I did. I had scraps and then I kept looking at my stack of FQ's and wishing I had just a smidgen of that or this and I started cutting. Who knows there could be more than one quilt before I'm done. Oh and I also decided not to use a backing fabric. I started on a thicker muslin and hated the stiffness of the joined seams. So those got the backing cut off and from then on I have just sewn strip to strip. I sew like 12 at a time in chain piecing fashion. I have a mat on my sewing table beside my machine and I just use the corner 4 inches to measure the strips keeping them at 45 degree angle. You don't have to maintain that angle, I decided to so I am. It's your choice.

I'm making mine the same size I believe Sharon's quilt is made.... 7 blocks by 10 blocks. When I say blocks I mean each tiny block. I think this will make it work for both the wall and the table perfectly. I have 42 made as of today. 4 more rows to go and I think I can bang those out tomorrow. I would have gotten further but I sewed together some Valentine charm squares and then cut them again to make new squares. Well, you'll see. I saw it some where in a book once, but I think I went too big...and oh well. I have to put a border on tomorrow and then quilt it and I can get it on the coffee table for the holiday.

So there's all the details. I expect to see some lovely string quilts out there. I'm still sewing the Christmas sampler blocks, but slower and hey, Christmas is a long way off and I have a few holidays before then that need quilts too. SO I'll still keep up with it, never fear!

17 comments:

deb said...

Beautiful quilt, I wish I was a far along as you! I enjoyed reading your blog!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Yours are all nice and even, I didn't use a ruler at all when I cut my strips, I like the uneven wonky look. I see some fabrics in yours that I have too! We ought to trade strips when we are both done. I too have enough probably to make another one.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Love that quilt. I just love mine. I wanna make another one the larger size. That was the size of the real pattern that I taught but I wanted to go small. Now I wanna make a big one. Great job!!! You can sure use up alot of scraps doing this quilt.

Ginger Patches said...

It looks so cute! I'm thinking I need to make one for my table too!

Lucy said...

Love thsi quilt. I just started a new quilt, but when it is fiished I think I will start a string quilt. I think it is fun to do with a great result!

atet said...

Lovely. I think I need to go play in my scraps and do a string quilt soon.

Darlene said...

Judy, it's sooooooo cute! I have one of these in my future sewing plans. I've made two string quilts in the past with larger blocks but tiny blocks would be so much fun.

Thanks for sharing the details!

antique quilter said...

another great quilt Judy and yes thanks for sharing the details.
I saw this on Beths blog and decided I have to do this one too. I love your version too.
Yes its officially on my list and I just happen to have some 30's strips cut from my 30's quilt I am working on . So I just might have to make a block or two to try it out :)
Thanks again.
Love working with 30's fabric this time of year , the fabrics always make me smile! bright and cheery in my book!

Melanie said...

I've never made anything with the 30's prints-- love what you've done...great job.

Lea said...

You made me laugh about Christmas! New Year is just started, but you know what!? Times fly quickly! *LOL*
Goodthing is you already started to making Christmas quilt!
I usually start my Christmas project after Halloween and not enough time always.I should be like you, I think.:-)

SandyQuilts said...

Adorable, I love string quilts. Check out http://marysquilts.com for similar type quilts ... instructions too.

Lisa in Ohio said...

I love, love, love your 1930's string quilt!!! I am fairly new to quilting and have recently gotten interested in the 1930's fabrics. They are so beautiful!!! If you have any scraps left you'd like to share I'd love to take them off your hands!! :)

Libby said...

It's just a wonderful quilt - so fresh and scrappy *s*

Chris@Cats On My Quilts said...

Love the little quilt. Such happy colors for a gray winter day.

I had to laugh over your snow report. We've had over 5 feet of snow so far this winter in NH and February is usually the snowiest month so we have more to come. Good quilting weather though.

Carol said...

Judy I just love it!

Julie said...

thanks for sharing this string quilt instructions. I have some fat quarters and fat eighths of repro fabrics that would be so cute for my daughter as a doll quilt.
julie

YankeeQuilter said...

Working with 30's fabric is always so cheerful! really love how this one is coming along.
Sio