Hello Monday, and welcome to the second Scraps Monday post. The end of last week was busy for me as I taught three classes at a new to me event, “Quilt St. George,” in sunny St. George, Utah. It was a wonderful event, and I met some wonderful quilters from several states: Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and California! When I got home I just wanted to sew…and my scrappy string blocks were just the ticket!
Scrappy projects are perfect to work on when you want to sew and accomplish something but might have limited time (or as in my case Saturday afternoon, limited energy)! I think the key to being able to work on scrap projects at any time is to always have them ready to go. I keep a basket of scraps for these blocks, but I also occasionally pull from my 1 ½″ strips stash and another basket of strips for my scrappy log cabins. I also try to keep a stack of the foundation fabrics on hand that have been cut to the right size.
For this string block project I’m using a muslin foundation method. I’ve been working on them for quite a while. Here is a link to my tutorial for this method of making string blocks. The only difference with these is that I started with a 6 ½″ foundation fabric and trim to 6″ before sewing them together in groups of four.
I have another string project using a
paper foundation which requires tearing off all of the paper after each
block is completed. I’m not going to combine the blocks from the two
projects since the paper method blocks are so much thinner.
This is where I was when I began on Saturday–just two completed blocks with ¾ of another block ready to go. I’m going to try and make a couple of these every day for the rest of the month, so we’ll see how I do on this goal.
After just a little sewing Saturday night I had three more blocks finished up. It was just the right project for a little sewing and also has me motivated to continue working on these.
It was so fun to visit all the links from the first Scraps Monday post. Feel free to link up every week and share your progress and goals for scrappy sewing for the week.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Karen says
Your bright color strings make me smile. This will be a fun quilt.
Ramona says
Your string blocks are so much fun! I really need to make some of these. Beautiful!
Karen - Quilts...etc. says
I just have the binding left to put on my baby quilt and then this little scrap quilt is finished – even the batting was scrap pieces!
Needled Mom says
Those blocks are so pretty. Do you prefer the muslin to the paper for the backing?
Kris says
I love string blocks and these look really fresh and bright. I want to do another qayg string piece as my scrap bins are overflowing. I did three qayg herringbones last year and barely made a dent. I think they grow!
Karen says
These are so perfect! Will make such a happy quilt!
Hildy says
Love your happy and bright little blocks just the eyecandy I need on this rather grey day! And it reminds me that I really need to work with my scraps my bin is overflowing!
em's scrapbag says
Your string blocks make me smile.
Sandra says
All your quilts exude joy, and these blocks are no exception! When you join them in groups of four, do you press the seams open?
Nanna says
beautiful bright blocks, my Aunt taught me this method using newspaper, I still laugh wehn I think how I argued that it wasn't gonna work lol!
Helen
Flo @ Butterfly Quilting says
I love string blocks, and I do the same thing when I just want to relax and play a little bit!
I have started not using no foundation, and just using my 6-1/2" ruler to size the strips as I go. That way they aren't as thick and heavy as a fabric foundation, and I dont have to tear off the paper!
Christine S says
I enjoy these posts. I need to start working on scrap things. thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Judy says
I love making string blocks, they are fun to do and a great project to take to day retreats as you don't need to think about what you are doing. For the past four years I make them as doll quilts for a charity Christmas party one of our lqs help sponsor. I have been told the expressions on the little girls faces when they receive them are priceless. Gives me a great feeling knowing a little girl is going to be happy.
Jen says
I have plans to make some of these myself when I finish a couple other projects. Yours are so pretty, love the colors!
reddoorquilts.com says
Yum- string blocks are my favorite! I've never used muslin foundations, but have seen many quilters online doing so. Do you have a preference between paper and fabric foundations? I fall into the old phonebook paper foundation method currently, but could be convinced to go fabric 🙂
Your bright colors are wonderful- thanks for sharing!
Hugs, Jo 🙂
Jennie in GA says
Sweet, bright strings. I love your scraps.
Cara says
I love how happy the colors are that you always use in your quilts! These string blocks are no exception. Beautiful!
milainoa says
Me gusta esta forma de reciclar retales sobrantes el resultado es genial, mi manta de sofá es igual a lo que tu estas haciendo…
un abrazo…