Purple Strings Quilt

This pretty little quilt is the result of  a challenge inspired by  Heartstrings Quilt Project.  The task was to make string blocks using a purple center strip.  I like how it turned out.  It will be given to the children's ward at our local hospital.

Heartstrings Group has just started a new challenge.  Try them out.  String blocks are  SO Theraputic.
Thanks for visiting and I wish you a blessed and happy day.

Purple Heartstrings Quilt

Heartstrings had a challenge over the New Years' holiday weekend. It was to make string blocks with purple centers.  I had a piece of purple and used up every bit for these 24 string blocks and binding.

The blocks are now sewn together into a top, just waiting to be quilted.  It will be a comfort quilt for the childrens' ward at the local hospital.  If you are looking for some great inspiration for comfort quilts, just click on the Heartstrings button on my sidebar and don't worry about running out of strings....ask me how I know.

Autumn Strings Quilt

My Autumn Strings quilt is finally finished. This project began way back on August 01, 2011.  It's purpose was to clear out some of the pieces in my scrap bins.  I decided on warm colors of autumn and started trimming strings and tossing them into the project string box.  When the box was full, I started the 36 string blocks. The posts for this project began here:
http://scrapboxquilts.blogspot.com/2011/08/string-quilt-2.html  When those blocks were finished, they were neatly trimmed to size and put back in the string box.  This seemed like a good stopping point.

Well, it seems my scrap bins are overstuffed again.  What to do?  I guess I'll have to sew more string blocks to get those bins under control.  So before I could do that, I had to quilt up the batch that was started last summer.  This should have been a quick undertaking.  Ha!  I  have been working on it for the past 2 weeks.  However, I now have a photo to share.  YAY!

and here is the back

Now I can plan my next string orchestra with a clear conscience!  Are you encouraged to make some string blocks?  Thanks for visiting!

More Scraps from Scraps

When I began a new set of string blocks #2, it was to reduce the scrap bin inventory. Yesterday, I got 36 autumn string blocks all trimmed up and ready for quilting at another time.

Afterward, I had this pile of trimmings to snip and work back into the scrap bins! I just dont know if I have the patience for a miniature quilt. I am tiring of these fabrics.

I did sort them into baskets, one for triangles and one for logs. Probably I should toss them and move on. That might be Step 3 of our 12-step program. 

The Before and After

This post shall be about how we ladies feel and look after a trip to the beauty parlour.

We go into the shop feeling all rough and raggedy     -  " the before "

We come out all aglow with trims, tucks   and tints  -  " the After "

 

 

This must be the comfort of making string blocks.

 Step 1 - You can sew on your scrap strings, willy nilly, feeling glad to diminish that lot! 

Step 2 - you look at the blocks and think they are so nasty looking, you will just have to give them away to somebody;     anybody............. and dont attach your name to it.

Step 3 - you trim them down to size, take another look and see how lovely they really are and wonder how you will be able to part with them! They contain memories of all the fabrics you have created something from.

I totally enjoy machine quilting string blocks into a quilt, but that will have to wait, for now.  I will be sure to stay out of my scrap bins for awhile.That is what started another string quilt # 2.

String Quilt #2 - p3

A bit of progress, Yes!  I grew tired of sorting scrap strings and pieces. I found I had an imbalance of colors going on -  small amount of cool colors, lots of warm colors. It seemed timely, I'll make an autumn-themed string quilt. Someone will like it. The narrow black sashing is showing off those tans very nicely. The dusty green center strip is very calming. I see an opportunity to 'control' the design with carefully chosen corner triangles.

So I took time to work through some of those strings I had tossed in the string box. I managed to sew and press a strip to both sides of the 36 blocks.  It's difficult to step away from working on those blocks.  I think I just started another project!  LOL

String Quilt #2 -p2

Step 2
My narrow black strings have been added to both sides of the beginning diagonal strip. They will finish at one-half inch (1/2") each. I was able to yield 3 pieces from each 'width of fabric' strip because the length required for this position is about 13 inches.

 

I suppose Step 3 will involve replenishing my string box with a new variety. These foundation blocks are begging for some color!

String Quilt #2

Step 1
I realized I did do something quilty yesterday. I prepared the beginning stages of my newest String Quilt, #2. I decided to use up a drab, dusty advocado? green that was hanging around my stash. It looks almost gray. I cut it into 2" strips for the diagonal. Hmmm,  I couldnt get 48. So I had to go with the plan of 36 blocks, plus a narrow border. This situation is what set off my blueprint plans for string quilts in EQ. You can find those blueprints in my Saturday post.

This photo is the result of my labors yesterday. A blinding bright white muslin and a dull, dusty gray-green. It looks drab, doesnt it? There are 36 blocks here, waiting to be covered in strings!

Next step................................adding the narrow black strip to both sides of the green strip. That should add a bit of drama to these blocks!

Blueprints for String Quilts

Let's see. What project shall I work on today? I had several choices. As I was sifting thru my scrapboxes, I decided to begin another string quilt. I wanted some 'mindless, stress-free' sewing.  HA!

I had a small bundle of muslin to use as foundation. I cut that up into strips. It will make 40 blocks. I have a mundane sort of green fabric. I decided to use that up for the center strip and outline it with a narrow black frame.  This method of framing the string blocks with a narrow sashing strip was first used by Melva and shared on the HeartStrings group. I do not take credit for creating this design element. This post is for illustration only.

I had planned to make a 48- block quilt with a narrow border. As I was preparing the green strips, I discovered it will not yield 48 pieces. Now what?  Why not spend the day in EQ and find out what you can really do?  LOL

I can see this will be a recuring issue, so I made up some blueprints for my string blocks. I want to know how many blocks I need and what size I will get from each plan.

This is a string block drawn in a 4-patch setting. You can achieve a few different settings, depending on the orientation of the patch.  Here are 2 different orientations. The sample layouts which follow, are using the first layout.  The measurements in the layouts are based on a string block finishing at 9".

This is a really nice size for a baby quilt or wheelchair quilt. The basic block setting measures out at 36". You can decide your own border treatment to make it a size you need. This diagram finishes at 45x45.

This one has 24 blocks and works up to a nice lap size of 49 x 67

Here is a 48 block plan with a narrow border. I think a border contains the strings and gives a nice, finished look.  This plan incorporates the QAYG joining strips. It makes quilting and assembly a very easy process!

I'm pretty sure this is the layout I'll have to use this time. It is a nice, squared plan and "sofa sized". It has 36 string blocks. The black joining strips are the same size as the black in the accent frame.

What is your favorite blueprint? Please leave a comment for me.

Hot July in the Midwest

Greetings everyone!  For some reason, the window AC is not keeping me dry. I hate sweating. I always have. I am such a prima dona. I know I was born from royalty. Was I sent home with the wrong family? Aren't all babies born with black curly hair and high cheekbones?

Well, let's fast forward fifty (50) or so, years.

I have updated the photo for my string quilt #1. With a little help from my quilt guild friends, I was able to get a straighter, full view of this scrapbox beauty!  LOL  You can find the new photo here:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwmD6ZEEaOYDrYXrDKQ8ShGnZ_TPwWeZmyBnOsgoD3BnwlAdJVxcjtRa2sBaw3kYqSI1ZtSIdh5XIJqvT-YuFlVF2yvudsRGQG5Oncqr8-aNber1MYDqKQ5MFYk3J59WZlO2XeWj9xOs/s1600/strings+001.jpg

Today, I hope to concentrate on a plan for some seminole patchwork.  I hope you all get to do something creative today.

String Quilt #1

I've just completed my first string quilt. Since I plan to make several string quilts in a variety of color families, I will just name this quilt.......String Quilt # 1.  How inventive is that! I think the black sashing sets it off. It reminds me  of stained glass. It is a lap size quilt, 55" x  75".  All the strings came from a pile in my 'scrapbox'.

This is the back of the quilt. Since I assembled it QAYG style, I was able to have fun with the layout. I enjoy machine quilting manageable sections.

It's out of the dryer now, I can stitch on that label. I made a very simple label by writing with a pigma pen onto a pre-printed label.