Sunday, April 1, 2007

String Block Progress

I have joined many of the quilters in blogland in the latest quilting craze--string blocks.

I started by using used dryer sheets as foundations. I made 10 blocks during the month of February and another 17 blocks during the month of March. The total string blocks that I have pieced to date on dryer sheet foundations is: 27. These blocks measure 6" x 8.5"

Thanks to Finn I have also been using old color catchers as string foundations. Thanks to Mary I have been making these string blocks into coins. These blocks have been trimmed to 4" x 9.5".

These string blocks are more traditional in nature as they have been pieced on a muslin foundation. I made a total of 12 of these blocks during the month of March. These blocks finish at 9.5" square.

At this point I am just making the blocks in the spare moments that present themselves during the week. As the blocks are finished they are sorted into boxes by type, where they will sit until the right quilt setting presents itself.......................or until I run out of strings (Like that will ever happen! *VBG)

18 comments:

  1. I love to see something bright and bold appearing out of scraps. Sometime they will become a really lovely quilt; well done - keep up the good work.
    Your previous picture of the colours with the black and white works really well.

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  2. looking good, what a great idea, cutting into the narrowing strips. I like that, might have to do that myself. I just bought dryer sheets today to get started.

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  3. I'm becoming intrigued with these string blocks too. I'll have to look into the dryer sheets. Some of the heartstrings creations are so beautiful and the variations are so wide I think it will be a must to do ! (Like the log cabin block! Every quilter has to do that once in their life.)

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  4. They are SO addicting, aren't they!

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  5. Ok, so you use the dryer sheets as the backing foundation? Wow, cool idea. I'm going to have to look into that. I hate to be the only one not doing fun things! :) tee hee

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  6. I love string quilts and yet I've only made two. Might be time to join the craze.

    Yours are great!

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  7. Makes me want to go home and make string blocks!!!
    Good job! I especially like the last picture.

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  8. I love them all! I bought some lightweight interfacing to try as a foundation last weekend. I dont' like to use paper because I'm not going to tear it all out and sometimes I want something a little lighter weight than the muslin.

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  9. Hi Norma, what a great selection of blocks coming from that pile of scraps and strings *VBS* I'm very pleased so far with both dryer sheets re-used and with the used color catcher sheets. As Mary says, something lighter weight than fabric for a foundation. And like her, I'm not willing to pick all that paper off a scrap quilt.
    It's such fun to see all the variation on a string block. Hugs, Finn

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  10. That is quite nifty. All the different patterns you could make with the strings. I don't really have many strings at this time, but I am starting to collect them.

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  11. Well done, Norma---just a few minutes here and there and you have a pretty nice stack of blocks from something that you might have tossed. Those chevron strips look pretty intriguing as well.

    I have been saving my used color catcher sheets but don't use the fabric softener sheets. Maybe I should see if any of the Belles do as those seem ideal for a foundation you don't have to remove--much lighter weight than the muslin.

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  12. Wow, what a great way to recycle! I think I need to learn more about string blocks. Sounds like a great way to get rid of your left over binding strips etc... Happy quilting!

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  13. love all the string blocks Norma!

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  14. Love all your string block variations. I think you are right, the strings will never run out. As fast as you use them they will just 'fluff up' to fill the space left behind. At least that is what mine do :)

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  15. Love all your string blocks!
    Are you using used fabric softner sheets? Either way, that has got to be one fragrant quilt! I still haven't tried this, but really need to!

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  16. Great idea! Your string blocks look so bright and cheerful!

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  17. Love your string blocks!!! And, yes, they are so-o-o addictive. Do you leave the dryer sheets in?

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  18. What a great idea ... scrappy blocks on hand to assemble whenever the mood strikes! Will look forward to see what you do with them.

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