Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Skinny Strings

My string boxes are overflowing so I decided I had better work on some string quilts.  I sorted out the skinniest colored strings and left the fatter strings and low volume strings for some other quilts.  To start with I will work on 3  different colored skinny string quilts. 

These blocks are inspired by blocks I saw on Flickr a long time ago.   I like how the blocks are divided into hot and cold sections and how the gray is used.  But I went a different route. 

Then I sorted out all the black multicolor strings and dug through a drawer of 6.5 inch squares and came up with a "Let's Party" theme for the center squares. I'm making all my string blocks 6.5 inch square with black strings on the diagonal and on the outside of the blocks.  These blocks will finish at 18 inches so I only need 12 blocks total in a 3x4 layout that will measure 54 x 72. 

These are the 6.5 inch squares I'll use as the centers for Let's Party.  After I finish the blocks for this one I'm thinking I may make another one with a different theme. 


These are really really really really old string blocks. It's about time I make more and get a quilt made with them.  I used a tutorial from The Long Thread to make these Crossed Quilt blocks that finish at 9.5 inches. I have 10 old blocks and will aim for a twin sized quilt. 


Then with some really short skinny strings I made some scrappy string blocks like I saw at Den Syende Himmel.  As I make the other two skinny string quilt blocks I'll accumulate the shorter strings to use in these blocks. 

I've been cutting an eclectic mix of mostly floral 5 inch scraps to use as the backgrounds. 

I will not use sashing in the quilt. Somewhere along the line I think I figured out I need 252 five inch squares for the size of quilt I have in mind. 


 I've been using some black waste triangles for what will be the centers of all these string blocks. 

13 comments:

Gretchen Weaver said...

These strings will keep you busy for the rest of December, happy stitching!

Quiltdivajulie said...

You chose two of the blocks I plan to use for RSC projects next year! The first and third ones ... but no worries as there are plenty of scraps to go around - fun projects!

gayle said...

Let's party, indeed! I love all three of your projects! (And my to-do list just got a tad bit longer...)

Linda said...

Three great ideas for Skinny String blocks. Your scraps just keep on coming!

audrey said...

I need to start keeping my strings separate from the rest of the scraps. These are looking wonderful!:)

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

These are all cool blocks - like the top one the best!

MissPat said...

Yes, the strings are multiplying like rabbits, but so are the crumbs. Time to put them to work, I guess.
Pat

Cathy said...

Oh, I love your string blocks! I’ve had that Crossed Strings quilt block on my Must Make List for a year or two as well. I see a lot of string blocks in my future (due mainly to all the strings I have), so I’ll be following closely! xo

Pamela Arbour said...

I always enjoy seeing what you are up to and thank you for sharing your thoughts. I never thought of using my waste triangles for the corners of string blocks!

maggie fellow said...

oh this will be fun to watch and learn

Ann said...

What a great idea to use only the skinny strings. And the perfect place for waste triangles. I love using every little bit but you are the champ! Thanks for sharing.
Stay safe. Merry Christmas.

Nann said...

I copied the Crossed Strings block and come across it in the Pile o' Patterns every so often. I'll take another look......but meanwhile, Let's Party is a great theme for an almost-New Year's Eve quilt.

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

It is always inspiring to see what you are up to!