Photo of string quilt
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How to Make String Quilts

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Photo of string quilt block

The more time I spend quilting, the bigger my scrap pile grows. The thought of throwing away all that precious fabric makes me break out in a cold sweat, so I keep all but the very smallest scraps.

But what is a quilter to do with all those odd bits and pieces that accumulate as you trim off selvages, square up blocks, and cut out odd shapes?

The answer is easy: Make string quilts!

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What is a String Quilt?

“Strings” are all those leftover fabric strips and pieces that float around everyone’s sewing room. String quilts are simply quilts made from your longer fabric scraps.

To make a string quilt, you start with a foundation fabric or foundation paper, then use an easy sew-and-flip technique to attach strips and scraps to the foundation until the scraps completely cover the foundation.

That’s all there is to it! There’s no fussy measuring, no templates to follow, no precision cutting, no pattern to worry about. The license to be imprecise is my favorite part.

Here’s a string quilt from essie of Flickr:
blankI love this rainbow string quilt made by Jennifer Worthen of Flickr:blankHere’s a string rag quilt I just finished recently.

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What Kind of String Blocks Can You Make?

String quilt blocks are usually made on a square foundation and look more or less like this:

Photo of string quilt blocksYou can also make string quilts on triangular-shaped foundations, although the technique is a little more complicated. Here’s one made by Heidi Elliott:
blank I’ve also made string borders on long rectangular foundation strips. Here’s what one looked like:

Photo of string quilt border

In this post, though, I’ll show you how to make a square string quilt block with strips arranged on the diagonal.

You can make your blocks any size that works with the scraps you have. The smaller the block, the smaller the strings and scraps you can use. Larger blocks need longer strips to cover the foundation. In general, wider strips look good on larger blocks, and smaller ones look better on smaller blocks.

The most common setting for string quilt blocks combines four blocks into a large diamond shape. If you use large blocks to start with, keep in mind that the completed unit will be twice as wide and twice as tall as the individual blocks. I found this out when I made these big string blocks for a quilt I gave my daughter.
Photo of four string quilt blocks This four-block unit is 17″ x 17″ square! That poses some challenges when it comes to laying out a quilt. Luckily, I ended up using these in a bed quilt.

String Quilt Foundation Options – Fabric, Paper, and More

String quilters use many different types of foundations. Here are some of the options you might try:

  • Muslin
  • Quilting fabric in prints or solids. Darker foundation fabric may show through lighter-colored strings.
  • Copy or printer paper
  • Commercial foundation paper
  • Old phone book pages (this one recommended by Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville)
  • Wax paper deli sheets (also recommended by Bonnie Hunter)
  • Used fabric softener dryer sheets
  • Lightweight interfacing
  • Old bed sheets. This is what I use. Sheets are densely woven and are probably easier to quilt by machine than by hand.

Paper foundations need to be removed from the blocks before you assemble the quilt. Fabric foundations can be left in as part of the quilt. That’s one reason why I prefer fabric, although the added foundation layer makes the quilt a bit heavier. Any type of foundation helps stabilize the strings and make them lie flat. Using a foundation also means you don’t have to worry about stretching or distorting scraps that were cut on the bias.

Which Fabric Scraps are Useful for String Quilting?

Both small and large scraps can be used to make string blocks. Cut larger pieces into 1” to 2½” strips. The strips don’t need to be all the same width, or have perfectly straight edges. Smaller or odd-shaped pieces can be used to fill in the corners of the blocks.

Supply List

Most of what you’ll need for string quilting is already in your sewing room.

  • Pile of fabric strips and scraps from your scrap bin. These can be organized by size or color, or simply pulled out of the pile as they come.
  • Foundation fabric or paper, cut into squares.
  • (Optional) pins or fabric glue to hold the block’s center strip in place for sewing. I just skip this step.
  • (Optional) 1”-2” strips of a focus fabric to make “sashing” for the blocks. Unlike the rest of your strings, these strips should be cut neatly so they are all the same width.
  • Sewing machine. If you’re using a paper foundation, set the stitches to a short length for ease of tearing off the paper when the block is finished.
  • Denim or quilting needle, size 14 or 16. A large needle makes it easier to pierce the foundation.
  • Neutral colored thread (light grey or beige both work well.)
  • Rotary cutter.
  • Cutting ruler for squaring up the blocks.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Sewing String Blocks

  1. Start with your foundation square. Photo of string quilt block foundation square
  2. Lay a fabric strip right side up so it stretches diagonally across the foundation from corner to corner, like this. The strip should be long enough to cover the whole length of the square from corner to corner. You can pin or glue the strip in place, but I don’t bother.Photo of string quilt block with one fabric strip laid on top
  3. Place another string right side down on top of the first one, aligning its edge with one edge of the center string.  Make sure the new string is also long enough to more than cover the foundation from edge to edge. Photo of string quilt block with two fabric strips added
  4. Sew the strings to the foundation along the aligned edge, leaving a ¼” seam allowance.Photo of fabric strip being sewn onto string quilt block
  5. Flip the second string over to show its right side, then finger press or press with a dry iron.
  6. Keep laying on and sewing new strips in the same way until you have covered the foundation block all the way to the right corner. Photo of string quilt block with half the fabric strips added
  7. Then turn the block around and add more strings until you reach the other corner. Here’s the block with all the strings added. Photo of string quilt block with all strips added
  8. Press the block, then use a rotary cutter and ruler to square it up. After squaring, it should look something like this:Photo of completed string quilt block

That’s all there is to it! You are now officially a string quilter. Keep making blocks until you have enough for the quilt you want or until you use up all your scraps. (Like that will ever happen…)

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149 Comments

  1. I’ve discovered I can make the string quilts using a piece of batting – low loft – and a backing. No foundation material or paper to sew the strings to. Just sew your fabric strips to the batting and do the stitch and flip method. It ends up as quilting on the backing, the front is the stitch and flip strings and the block is finished., I’m just delighted I don’t have to do any more quilting or tying the sandwich together.

    1. Hello. What a good idea I have a box full of fat quarters and other pieces and I want to make some country cottage quilts so I may be able to start with what I have already. Thank you.

    2. I like this technique! How do you then sew the blocks together without it being too bulky where the blocks are sewn to each other?

  2. I’ve just started my first string scrap quilt and after trying a few different backings I’ve found that using paper towels, the ones that come so you can tear off a half size sheet, work great and they’re so much easier to remove than sheets of regular paper.

      1. One thing I forgot to mention is that I used a small paint brush and water to wet the paper along the stitches to make the paper even easier to remove.

  3. This is my first quilt, I am making a string quilt. I used light weight interfacing on my squares, and i am putting in a 1″ sashing. I cut my sashing strips 1 1/2″, should i use the interfacing on the sashing?

  4. I use warm and natural for my base not paper or muslin and then another material for the back after i square the top to 6 1/2 inches sew the fronts together and slip stitch the back by hand.

  5. I love that you touched on the lack of plans or cutting when you are making the quilt. My spouse and I are trying to make some blankets and masks for our family this year. We need to make sure that we are using quality fabrics so the products last a long time.

    1. Quality fabrics help extend the life of your quilts by washing them gently really helps. Soak your quilts in your washing machine. Don’t over crowd. After 15-30 minutes check really areas to se of stains are gone, soak longer if need. Spin water out. Re- load cold water, and squish quilt below water. Wait 15 minute, spin out water and repeat to get rest of soap out. Use dryer 10-20 minutes spread over plastic shower liner and clean sheet to dry. I use guest room bed or larger cleanest rug for this. Perfect drying. I replace the binding every 20-30 years or so. Little distracting colored circles on this site may ick my spelling.

    1. I am a machine quilter, not a hand quilter, so my ideas are about machine quilting. I quilt just about every quilt in the ditch — if I don’t stitch every seam in the ditch, I do stitch every few seams to make sure the layers are well and truly anchored together. Depending on your fabric and how active the prints you use are, that may be all you need. That’s most likely what I would do with the diagonal blocks shown in this blog post.

      1. I love the idea of a quilt that uses my scraps and I made a similar quilt years ago but did not like how the squares were put together. How do you attach your squares?

  6. I did a string quilt with my granddaughter almost two years ago and we did QAYG. I cut the backing and batting 10.5″ square and she sewed the strips on. I then trimmed the squares to 10″. Sewed the sashing on sides and sewed the squares into rows then sashed each row. I did the binding all by machine. She was sew excited and her mother said she walked around the house wrapped in it for weeks. She was 16 at the time. I am definitely going to do another one.

  7. Why do you do this instead of just sewing the strips together and cutting squares from that? It seems like the extra fabric would make for bulky seams when you sew the quilt together, especially if you use any fabric between them to separate them. I do have a lot of strips and scraps around….

    1. You certainly can make string blocks without a foundation by sewing strips together, but I find it’s a lot easier to sew a string block with a foundation. The foundation layer does several things I like: (1) it shows you how many strips you need to add to make a complete block. (2) It makes it easy to use smaller strips and odd-shaped pieces that wouldn’t work easily without a guide showing you where the block ends. (3) It makes trimming and squaring up the block easy. (4) It keeps the block from getting stretched out of shape while you sew.

    1. The foundation fabric is an added layer of the quilt top, and doesn’t substitute for the batting and backing layers. You can sew the string blocks together with 1/4″ seams, just like other pieced quilt blocks, then layer with batting and backing and stitch the layers together.

  8. Has anyone done a string quilt using the quilt as you go method. having a backing material then batting the attaching the strings. Any thoughts on this.

  9. I use deli paper because I had some. I elected to try it out (prior to seeing that any other had used). It works very, very well and I highly recomment. I have 10 x 10.75 on hand. Tear them in half and you can use them to make snack mats. Use the entire mat and trim down Tears away easily.

    1. This may seem like a dumb question, but what is the “foundation” square for? Do the fabric strips really need this backing? If so, how do some people us paper?
      Please enlighten me as I would like to try this, but don’t fully understand the purpose.

      1. The foundation paper or fabric makes piecing the blocks easier. It helps keep your strips from getting stretched out of shape as you sew. It also gives you a guide to how many strips you need to put on a given block. Once your strips completely cover the foundation, you can stop adding to that block and trim it to size.

        You can make a string block without a foundation, but I find it easier to use one. People who use paper as a foundation like it in part because they can tear the paper off after stitching and not have that extra layer in the finished quilt. I prefer fabric because I hate tearing off the paper and don’t mind the weight of the fabric in my quilts.

    1. I haven’t made string quilts with denim myself, but I know a lot of quilters like to sew with scrap denim. I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t work. You might have to use slightly larger seam allowances when you add the strips and flip them over, to account for denim’s extra weight and stiffness. Anyone else have a thought about this?

        1. Denim quilts made from old jeans make wonderful picnic quilts. Something to take outdoors for sitting on the ground or covering metal bleachers at sporting events. Perfects for camping.

    2. I have used denim work shirts. I made rag quilts for my grandchildren and used this string method for pillow shams. Also made a small quilt for my couch with the string method. Wish I could post a picture

  10. If using fabric for foundation
    Cut the squares a little larger than the finished block size
    The foundation has a tendency to shrink when sewing on the strips
    Then square up your blocks

  11. Could someone please explain tbis to me…… I have a box of fabric strips. I also have a growing pile of 5.25″ scrappy squares. Despite the fact that the pile of squares is growing …. and growing, the box of strips is just as full as it ever was! Is something magic happening? Will I ever use up my strips?

    1. The sad fact is that no, you will NEVER use up your scraps. In fact, I find that they never seem to reduce much, even though I make lots of scrappy quilts out of them. I just made a little graphic for this weekend’s newsletter that illustrates this enduring mystery: blank Sorry to be the one who has to deliver this bad news, Anne Marie.

  12. Hey everyone….. I use paper. Tried other foundations but don’t care for the cloth leave-in. I don’t mind tearing out process. Just wait until it’s a complete top, then pull off paper. Works great if you use a very thin paper like news print end roll.

  13. I have made string quilts out of baby flannel several times and love them. I was wondering if I use the foundation piece as a printed flannel and add strips to the wrong side of it if I could piece it together with a 1/2” seams, then snip the edges and make it as a rag quilt with out batting in the middle. Do you think the fraying on the diagonal would maybe make it bare in places?

    1. Yes, I think this would work. I don’t think the fraying would cause any problem or look too bare. What a great idea, Debbe! I’m going to put that on my list of quilts to try for myself.

  14. I’m anxious to try this but have a couple questions. Pls explain at what point you cut the large square into smaller pieces? I want to end up with approx. 18″ finished square centerpiece “blocks.” Do I start with 19″ square foundation, sew as described then square up & cut two diagonal slices & move them around & resew into diamond pattern? How do you deal with all the bulk in the very center?

    1. Hi Kay,

      To make an 18″ finished block with the strings forming a diamond, you start with four 9 1/2″ squares of foundation paper or fabric,
      and sew on your strings diagonally, as described in the blog post. Then you arrange the four blocks to make that diamond pattern and stitch them together with 1/4″ seams.

  15. I make string quilts all the time and use dryer sheets that have already be used in the dryer.
    never had a problem with them when ironing them.for the bigger blocks i use muslin foundation,

  16. Good Morning

    So I am not new to quilting but only make about 3-4 per year and I am stuck on the easy peasy turning 20 block. I really want to dig in and take on something more difficult.
    I have a question on this block, when sewing the strips together you are sewing then ON TO the paper pattern?

    Is there a video tutorial?

    Thank you for your patience!
    April

    1. Hi April,
      Yes, when you sew a string block, you do sew the strips to the foundation, whether the foundation is fabric or paper. If you use paper, you remove the paper after you finish sewing the block. I use a lightweight fabric or interfacing and leave the foundation layer in when I make the quilt.

      No video tutorials here yet — I’m camera shy and still trying to talk myself into making my first videos.

      Christine

      1. I’m loving this can’t wait to try. Christine your advice and ideas are brilliant I’d love to see video. Go on just do it. Thanks for all this info and the brilliant Q and A info is great too.

    1. I recently made placemats as a quilt as you go using backing and batting as the foundation. worked great

  17. I have just finished a string quilt and I’m ready to quilt it. Does anyone have any ideas about patterns to use or how I should quilt it? I’m stumped! Thanks!

  18. For years I have been using dryer sheets to make string quilts. They normally are apprx 6 1/2 inches square. Smooth them out when you take them out of dryer, then cut with rotary cutter to 6″ squares. After I sew my string scraps down,(and cut to size I want) I usually sew 4 blocks together to make 11 1/2 inch squares for quilts. I am big on scrap quilts, and this is a terrific way to use fabric you find in yard sales or close-outs. They make beautiful quilts!

  19. I love paper piecing. I make my own patterns for tiny 3 to 5″ dolls. Without the pattern drawn on paper, I could not sew it on the machine. In this manner the bodies come out perfect. Also making larger dolls 12″-16″ without the paper pattern for the fingers would be impossible to get them perfect.

  20. I still don’t understand why people use paper under the material. I made a quilt completely of oxcymorons with no paper whatsoever.
    Enlighten me.

    France

    P.s. I love your ideas

    1. I’m with you, France. I don’t use paper myself, because I hate the idea of having to tear all that paper free of the stitches. But the article tries to cover all the techniques that lots of people do use, so I included foundation paper. Maybe someone who uses foundation paper wants to weigh in?

  21. I use a 5.50″ parchment paper that I for the foundation. I get them at a bakery store on line. Get 500 for around 20.00 then tear off once trimmed.

  22. I have been making string quilts like yours for many years–they are my absolute favorite quilt to make. I have assembled into the diamond pattern like yours, I have put a navy strip down the center of the square and added strips from it–this makes a one inch “frame” that really accentuates the four squares that form the diamond pattern. I also made one using a triangle of navy blue on half of the square and strips to finish the other side. When you look at the quilt, you see diamonds of navy alternating with a striped diamond. I have a HUGE box of strips that I add to all of the time and a smaller box that holds small triangles for the corners. You can never have too many strips!

  23. I use this technique for making hot pads in order to practice making those 1/4 inch seams. They then make good gifts and use some of those nice fabrics in the process/

  24. Great tutorial! May I suggest the use of Sheer Delite as your foundation. It is sheer, lightweight, and does not have to be removed. It is a lightweight non-woven foundation which is ironable, it has no bias or stretch, and adds very little weight to your finished quilt.

    1. Hi Virginia,

      Is this Sheer Delite available in the states? Where have you purchased it?

      Thank you,

      Susan

        1. String quilts are so much fun!
          Angel Oak Stitchery is now the distributor for Sheer Delite and can be ordered in any quantity you desire. In addition to being available by the yard, it is available in 5yd, 10yd, & 25yd packages.

  25. I have made a number of these with different center colors for a secondary design. They’re great for filler projects as you can do a block here and there, and the number you need is done before you know it. I also made a triangle one with darker colors on the bottom of the form…looks very dimensional. I should really stop saving all these scraps!!

  26. DON’T recommend using dryer sheets for foundation fabric since they don’t like to be ironed as I learned the hard way. Pressing strips sewn to a dryer sheet left a gooey, charred mess of burnt dryer sheet chemicals on my nice, expensive iron.

    1. It must depend on the brand of dryer sheets. The ones I use can be used to clean the iron.I’ve ironed them and they are in a box waiting to be used.

    2. I have used “used” dryer sheets. There is no sticky stuff left on them. My concern is how they will hold up in the washing.

  27. I lOVE string quilts. I’ve two of them in progress right now. One of them is a throw made with 6.5″ blocks, copy paper pieced on the diagonal and I’ve made them in color groups – variations of red on some, variations of blue on others, etc., so that it will have a rainbow affect. It will have 2.5″ black sashing and a black border with colored diamonds in it. The backing is going to be a slightly mottled turquoise. Can’t wait to get it done but my only problem is deciding a color for the binding. Would anyone like to offer ideas or suggestions? I’ve got myself stymied on this one.

    1. Why not try a string binding? If you have scraps wide enough, sew them together to create the binding. I haven’t made a string quilt yet, but I have used all the fabrics in a quilt for a multi-coloured binding. It really adds interest when there is a solid border.

  28. What’s the method of sewing the squares together and sewing the back of the quilt on? I’ve never made a quilt before.

    1. Hi Janice,

      Once you’ve made a string block, you can either remove the foundation (if you used paper) or leave it in place (if you used fabric or interfacing) and sew the blocks together the way you would sew any other blocks to make a quilt top.

      If you need help with that, may we suggest our best-selling book, Quilts for Beginners, or the expanded, updated version, A Beginner’s Guide to Quilting, which you can preorder now for delivery at the beginning of October? Either book shows you exactly how to piece a quilt top and do everything else you need to make a quilt from start to finish.

  29. On the very first strip placement, does it need to be centered from corner to corner diagonally before I sew the second strip to it? Do I need to sew it down or just sew the second strip to it?

    1. Hi Linda,

      The strip does need to be centered and should stretch all the way across the quilt block. You don’t need to sew the first strip when you put it down — one side of the strip will get sewed down when you add the second strip, and the second side will be sewed down when you turn the block around and start adding strips in the other direction.

      However, you don’t HAVE to place the strip diagonally. You could also lay it out vertically or horizontally, which would make string blocks that look like they have vertical or horizontal stripes.

      Hope that helps.

  30. Love these quilts. One question: is there a “shrinkage” in the size of the quilt block from sewing on the strips.

    1. Hi Deb, I find that there is often a small amount of “shrinkage” in a block that has a lot of seams in it, and there is always some distortion caused by sewing on the strips. It always pays to square up your string blocks after you finish sewing them.

  31. The best quilt shop in Madison does something gteat. They have color coded bins for scraps, we can donate scraps we can’t use and choose others for our project. They keep it in the classroom and bring us an excellent variety of classes too. It is Blue Bar Quilts.

    1. For purposes of string quilting, it really doesn’t matter which direction you cut your strips. In general, I cut strips from selvage to selvage across the width of the fabric. Sometimes I cut strips on the length of grain, for instance, when I want to make striped binding and need the strips to run horizontally across the binding fabric, or if I need to cut a really long border.

  32. Hi, my volunteer group (in Edmonton, Canada) sews approx. 40 Bedsize string quilts each year for a local Women’s shelter. We use donated cotton fabric, which is sometimes already cut, or cut up the leftovers that are not the right size, shape, or color for regular block components. Strings are taken from a box in no particular order, except for length, and sewn to a Poly-cotton foundation, starting with a center strip, and sewing out to each side. That way you can press both new strips at the same time.
    The blocks are set in either ZigZag or Diamond patterns, and the Quilts are very colorful; NO two are the same. Who knew that these scraps can be so beautiful.

    1. Great thought. As I never thought that these strips would Amy to anything. Do u use muslin for the foundation.

    1. Thanks for the question, Karen. I think you’re asking if the scraps have to be placed diagonally across the foundation square, and the answer to that is no: you can place them vertically too. The scraps don’t need to be cut on the bias, either. You can use any old scrap that fits your foundation. Hope I’ve answered the question you were asking. If not, please ask again!

  33. Loved learning the “string quilt” directions. I’ve never attempted this kind of quilt before. The reason is I have always found the directions confusing and I was unable to picture it in my mind. With your pictured explanations, it was much easier and was simplified immensely.

  34. Wonderful tutorial! Very easy to follow. For the paper backing, I tried using inexpensive wrapping paper. Works great!

    1. I just thru some out that was on a roll but became wrinkled when it shifted in the box as there was no band to hold it together. Darn I wish I had read this sooner. Thanks for the idea.

  35. I have made string blocks and started with a red string as a starter string down the middle of each block. I can then arrange them make a pleasing design eg a red diamond when you put 4 blocks together.

    1. Thanks for the suggestion, Marjorie. It’s one of the ideas mentioned in the blog post, but I don’t think we included a photo.

  36. I make my stringers using quilt-as-you-go method. I cut my backing fabric and batting into 11″ Squares. I then layer them with backing wrong side up, followed by batting. Then I start sewing diagonalally like you do through batting and backing. Once squares are finished and trimmed, I lay them out the way I want them to be finished. I sew squares right sides together including a 1 1/2 finishing strip in the 1/4″ seam allowance. Finishing strips are of the backing fabric. Then I sew rows together with that same finishing strip. The edges of Finishing strips need to be turned under 1/4″ and hand stitched. Then I bind off quilt. Check out other QAYG methods on Pinterest for sewing squares together and rows.

    1. This sounds like a terrific method, Marsha. Thanks! You had me hooked until the hand quilting — but I’m going to try it and see if I can find a way to substitute machine sewing for the hand stitching. I have only made quilt-as-you-go squares with finishing strips a couple of times. Time for another try!

    2. Hi Marsha, I read your comment about how you join your QAYG blocks and I have a question… do you only use finishing strips in the front (in the same fabric as your backing) and have none on the backside? This is something new to me, I’ve done 1 quilt as you go quilt and I had finishing strips on both the front and the back sides. Just curious. Hope you have time to explain it more in depth. Thanks so much.

      1. I have done QAYG with only a set of finishing strips in the front. The procedure is complex enough that I think it calls for its own tutorial. Stay tuned!

  37. My mother made string quilts when I was a child. I got the job of tearing off the paper backing off each square. She used the pages from the Sears-
    Roebuck catalog for her foundations. By the way, her quilts were all pieced by hand!! I do not like to use a fabric for the foundation because of the extra weight. After experimenting I found that ordinary tissue paper worked best. Surprisingly it is tough enough to work well, but easy enough to tear away. I cut the tissue whatever size I want the block to be (lots of them). Then square up the block from the back with a ruler. Blocks can be made any size you wish to have. I mainly use the 4-block used as one block with sashings and cornerstones to put together. I spend a good amount of time pressing strings. I love it. Makes me think of my mother. Her quilts were made of necessity, mine are for fun.

    1. The things we did with our mothers make some of the best memories, don’t they? Thanks so much for your story and your tips, Helen.

    2. I would have thought the the ink from the pages like a phone book or newspaper would come off onto the fabric so never used those . Apparently it is coved with the string quilt fabric so doesn’t matter ? Thanks for clarify this.?the scraps sewed onto the paper in the old days did not bleed as they do today Correct?

      1. You can go to a newspaper office and ask if they sell their end rolls of newsprint paper after they get through printing. I went and bought some for $0.50 per pound. They weighed the roll. You can get a lot of paper and don’t have to worry about the ink.

        1. Newspaper rolls are great ! Then I found 8×11 paper, 500 sheets for $5 and its easier to work with (same paper as newsprint).

  38. I’ve made two string quilts. Like you, I have so many scraps. Love making string quilts. I’ve made my string blocks into tote bags as well. I’ve turned two of my newbie quilter friends into “stringers”.

    1. Thanks for your comment, Corinne. I haven’t tried making string quilted bags. That’s a great idea! Happy to know you are spreading the word about strings.

  39. I’m making one of these for my granddaughter…To make it a little lighter, I bought some thin flannel fabric. I haven’t got that far yet but I was told it’s much easier to hand quilt through this and it’s not flamable. (sp)

    1. Great idea, Pat. Flannel is so cozy and I’m sure it must be easier to hand quilt than a foundation of sheets, which is what I use (machine sewing only for me!) Just make sure you prewash to minimize shrinkage.

    1. Thanks for the question, Judy. I use polyester fleece in place of the batting and backing layers on most of my quilts. If you’re asking whether thinner batting makes sense because of the added weight of the foundation layer, my answer is that yes, anything you can do to reduce the weight of the quilt makes it more comfortable for the person who will eventually use it. I have used muslin as a foundation layer and found that it works fine — no stretchier than regular quilter’s cotton. I also use old sheets for the foundation layer. Hope that answers your question.

  40. One thing I hever see mentioned it the size that is prefered when making these blocks? If i dont have a pattern in mind. But would like to make them as i sew other stuff, what size do you suggest?

    1. That’s an important consideration, Michele. If you’re planning to make the popular diagonal striped string blocks and arrange them into a four-block diamond pattern, the finished diamonds will be about four times the size of the original blocks. The first set of string blocks I made were 9″ blocks, but then the diamond blocks I assembled them into were 36″ squares — pretty large to make a pleasing quilt pattern from. If that’s your plan, I would recommend making your string blocks 6″ (6-1/2″ unfinished.) If you don’t plan to use the diamond design, you can make the string blocks larger.

  41. There is a picture on Pintrest of a string pieced crazy quilt stype block and a reference to this website. I cannot find the tutorial mentioned. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

    1. Hi KB, and thanks for taking the time to comment. The article you posted your comment on is the main one on this site about string quilting. I can’t remember any string quilt we’ve made in a crazy quilt style. I wish I could be more helpful.

  42. I have Started to make a play mat for my great grandson who is due in May and will put the string blocks as a border with baby type fabric in the middle .
    Thank you for the idea of the string blocks . Sheila

  43. do you have to use a foundation block? Why can’t you just seam the strips together and trim to size at the end?
    I can see that using a foundation block makes it easier to lay out the strips to make sure the final size is correct, but why sew the strips to the foundation block?
    -R

    1. Good question, Rae. You don’t HAVE to use a foundation block. As you point out, you can just sew the strips together and trim to the size you want. And using a foundation layer can make the block heavier than it would be if you didn’t have that extra layer. I find, though, that having the foundation makes the whole project much easier and more fun. I can see exactly where each strip or piece will end up on the finished block. The foundation layer keeps the strips from getting pulled out of shape. The block is easy to square up because I can see what shape it ought to be before I cut into it.

      It’s really a matter of preference. I prefer to use a fabric foundation layer that stays in the finished quilt. Other people like to use a paper foundation that they pull off after they finish sewing. If you think you would like it better to go without the foundation layer, give it a try and see if it works for you. Happy quilting!

    1. Thanks for the question, Sarah. You can sew string blocks together using a standard 1/4″ quilter’s seam, just like any other blocks.

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