This great tutorial is from the blog, "A Quilting Life".
Photos via A Quilting Life
Here is a simple tutorial for
creating string quilt blocks using a muslin foundation:
**Strips are Scrappy – your
choice of color and width
Supplies:
·
Start by saving strips and strings of fabric. Don’t worry about
trimming them to any particular size — a good variety of sizes looks best in a
string quilt. Strips ranging in size from 1 1/4” to 2 1/2” are a good choice.
Although smaller strips can be used, they don’t show up well after seam
allowances are taken into consideration, and larger strips tend to take up too
much of the block. Squares of fabrics can also be used for string blocks — they
are perfect for using on the corners of the blocks.
·
You’ll also want to collect fabric for your foundation squares.
A thin muslin fabric works best. Using this method will result in a quilt top
that is a little bit heavier than normal, however, you can use very thin
batting or even a piece of flannel in place of batting to keep your finished
quilt from becoming too bulky.
·
Another idea to save on bulk is to skip the batting completely
and use flannel or corduroy for the quilt backing.
·
These squares can be cut to any size depending on the size you
want your finished block. Add 1/2” to your desired finished block size. For
example: cut 8 1/2” squares to end up with 8” finished blocks.
Begin by placing one strip of fabric face up diagonally across
your foundation piece. Secure the strip to the foundation using a couple of
pins or a few dots of appliqué glue. You can also use an acid-free glue stick to
secure the center strip. This step is important to prevent shifting before the
strip is secured on both edges to the foundation.
Add a second strip of fabric, right sides together, to the
center strip. Sew through all layers using a 1/4” seam allowance. Press to set
the seam, then open up and press the top strip open.
Continue to add strips in this manner until one side of your
foundation is completely covered with strips.
Then, begin to use this same method to cover the remaining half
of the foundation square.