Batik Strings

I mentioned about two weeks ago that I wanted to start sewing string blocks as leaders/enders.  Normally, sewing strings can get quiet messy with fabrics strewn everywhere.  It hasn't been a problem with these.  I began by slicing a pile of short strings to approximately 4 inches long so I'm able to just grab one and sew to the foundation as I go.

I have about half of the blocks I need finished and I checked my calculations.   I do have enough of the background fabric at the top of this photo to make a quilt 54" x 74", a nice size lap quilt.  

Here is the free pattern again by GE Designs that I'm using with strings rather than 2 1/2" strips.  I've altered the size a bit to fit my string foundations.

I have so many light strings I may have to frame the background blocks with a bright color to make them pop rather than blend in  I really want to work with stash fabrics as much as possible so I'll try out a few and see which one looks best. I'm anxious now to get the rest of the blocks completed!

String Block Challenge quilt

 I finished my first string quilt for this year's Heartstring 365 block challenge.   It will be donated.  The goal is to average a block a day.  I chose to make sure I work on them every Sunday if I haven't completed 7 blocks during the week.  

I originally saw a quilt like this in a photo of a Modern Quilt Guild show.    Hopefully, I can get a better photo of it when I get a replacement thumbscrew for my stand.

I hoped the white centers, block setting, and horizontal straight line quilting would give these traditional fabrics a more modern look. 

The quilt measures 84" x 84" and consists of 64 blocks in the following (unfinished) sizes:

When making the rectangle blocks, be sure to sew half of the center white strips in one direction \ and the other half in the opposite direction / making mirror image blocks. 

String block challenge

 One of my 2021 Quilt Goals is to try and complete the 365 Heart Strings quilt block challenge.  I plan to make 10 a week (rather than 7).  My hope is, if I average more than one a day, especially at the beginning of the challenge, I'll be a little bit ahead and won't need to play catch-up for the weekends we go camping. 

I'm making the blocks with a specific pattern in mind for each set.  And, I'll finish the quilts as I accumulate enough blocks for the size/pattern I decide to make.  Luckily, there is no shortage of inspiration photos on the web to give me ideas.

The first quilt will be made from my Thimbleberries and Kansas Troubles bin of scraps and strings and I can't wait to see this one come together.  It has a rather unique layout.

This quilt on the Heartstrings page is one I made in memory of one of our group members that passed away last year.  She always reminded us to make quilts for little boys too. 💙

Strings and things

 I made a list of goals for 2021.  You can see my list by clicking on the tab at the top of the home page or at this link.   I can hardly wait to start checking items off as they're completed! 

One of my goals is to take part in the Heart Strings 365 block challenge next year.  If you get a chance, take a look at all the wonderful quilts made with left over strips of fabric from other projects, also known as "strings".

Last year I made some blocks but, I didn't make 365 (and one extra for leap year).  I hope to do better in 2021.  I tried to think of a way to make sure I'm keeping up with making an average of one string block a day and work simultaneously on my UFO's. 

The simplest way to accomplish both seemed to be to just choose one day a week to work on string blocks.  I chose Sunday for two reasons.  First, I'm usually doing laundry along with about a million other things so I'm up and down a lot.  Having something to sew that doesn't require a lot of concentration is ideal.  Second, and probably more important, is knowing the quilts I make from these blocks are going be donated.  It'll be a lot harder to wake up on a Sunday morning, of all days, and say to myself  "I'm just too busy today to do something that might bring comfort to someone". 

This is the last Sunday of 2020.  Tonight, I'm cutting some muslin foundations and prepping a bin of strings so I'll be ready to start my first seven (or more) blocks next week.