January 24, 2010

String Blocks Tutorial


As a result of cutting lots of 2 1/2" strips, I've accumulated lots of "strings" along the way.  You know -- those narrow little pieces that you can't bring yourself to throw away if you had to.   As if I didn't have enough projects to work on, I've been playing with these little blocks.

  

I keep a stack of cut pieces beside my sewing machine to use as "thread savers."  Instead of cutting my thread at the end of chain-piecing, I feed something through the machine and cut off my chain, leaving the "thread saver" in the machine.  And since I have a short attention span, it also keeps me from getting bored!

If you'd like to make your own string blocks, go grab your strings and leftover strips and Jelly Rolls, and come back here!

Back yet?  Great!  Now take a look at your great big pile of strings and scraps.  (Let's not pretend I'm the only one.)  Depending on the size of your pile of scraps, you can probably find at least two or three different "themes."  Sort your scraps into smaller piles of fabrics you think might look good together.  I showed a few ideas in a previous post.  Click here, then scroll down to the bottom pictures. 

Once you've sorted your fabrics, separate the "strings" from the "chunks." The chunks are larger pieces that can be used for squares. Press the chunks and strings to remove the wrinkles.


Decide what size you want your blocks to be. Mine are 6 1/2" unfinished. When they're sewn together, they'll be 6 inches.  If you prefer, you could make your blocks larger or smaller. 

Using your "chunks," cut a few squares in different sizes -- any size you like. For my blocks, I cut them anywhere from 1 1/2 inches to 4 inches. You can even cut them in 1/8-inch increments. 


Select a "string" you'd like to use for your first row.  I don't use strings that are less than 3/4" wide at any point.  This ensures that I have enough width for at least 1/2" that will be used by the seam allowances, leaving me with 1/4" for the strip that actually shows in the block. 

Place your string on top of the square.  Using scissors or a rotary cutter, slice a piece of the string a little longer than the square.  Then place the string on the right side of the square and cut another piece as long as the square and the first cut string. 
 

Sew the shortest cut "string" to the top of the square, sewing the side with the straightest edge to the square.  If your string is a little wonky, make sure you can see the edge of your square underneath, and use your square to guide along your 1/4 " seam mark on your throat plate.  The seam allowance of the string isn't as important as the seam allowance of the piece that you're sewing it to.  You'll want an accurate 1/4" seam on the foundation since it already has an accurate 90-degree angle. 

Press the seam allowances toward the string that you just added to the square.


Place the second string on the right side of the block.  Don't worry about trimming the end of the first string.  You can snip it off with scissors after the second string is sewn to the square.  Place the second string along the edge of the square as shown.  Use your 1/4" foot to get an accurate seam allowance.


Press the seam allowances toward the string.  The seams where the strings are joined to the squares should be 90-degree angles since you started with an accurately cut square.  But everything else about your block will look very wonky -- like this:


Now it's time to trim to make it square again before adding more strings.  Using a square ruler, find a marking on the ruler to place along the seam line (see red arrows).  It doesn't matter which markings you use.  Eighth-inch markings are just as good, as is placing the seam between eighth-inch markings.  You'll just want to make sure that you trim the same distance from the markings on the top and right-hand side of the block.  Make sure your fabric extends a little beyond the edge of the ruler, and make sure that you trim the same distance from the seam.  In the photo below, I used the 1-inch mark. 


In the next photo, I've placed the seam between eighth-inch marks so that less fabric will be trimmed from the block.  Notice that I've used the corrner of the ruler where the lines follow the lines of my block.  It's easier for me to square it up using the lines as a guide. 


Trim away the excess fabric from the top and right-hand side of the block.  You'll have a good 90-degree angle again and you'll be ready to add  more strips the same way you added these.  Don't worry about trimming the other sides of the block.  We'll trim them later.


Add anther row of strings the same way you added the first row.  Make sure that your cut pieces are long eneough to extend at least evenly with the square, preferably a little longer. Trim after adding each row.


Continue to add strings until your block measures a little larger than the size you need. 


Now it's time to trim the block one last time.  Since I have a 6 1/2" ruler, I use that to trim my block all at once.  That way, I can move the ruler around to see what the block will look like.  Sometimes I may want the outside rows to be skinnier and my square bigger.  Sometimes I like to use almost all of the outside rows and make my square smaller.   Place the ruler on top of the square.  Line up one or more of your seam lines with the lines on your ruler.


Trim around the ruler on all sides.  You now have a perfect square! 


This project goes a lot faster when you work on several blocks at once. I like to sew all the blocks, iron them, then trim all of them at once.


If you make any of these blocks, send me a picture if you'd like.  I'd love to share them here. 

Have fun!
Kim

61 comments:

Quiltpiecer said...

I saw your previous post and was hoping to learn how to make these blocks. I have tons of scraps so thanks a bunch for posting this!

Darlene said...

Woohoo - the promised tutorial. Yeehawwwww!

Well.....we know I have SCRAPS. LOL

This looks like so much fun - can't wait to play soon.

Michelle said...

I can't wait to start making some of these to try to decrease my scrap stash. Thank you so much for sharing this. Now I just need a couple of more hours in my day.

Trails of Grace said...

I would love to see your finished top or some of the pieces sewn together! Thanks for the tutorial~!

Loris said...

Great tutorial. Thank you for posting it! I hope to get going sorting and cutting some scraps. Can't wait to see these blocks all put together.

Sherri said...

Thanks so much for all of these tips and ideas! Just wondering if you sort your strings by color...or if you just store them all together?!

Anonymous said...

A tutorial...great! Now your expecting us to whip em up right?! Hee!!

Danielle said...

Looks like a great way to use up some strips!

Barb said...

What a wonderful tutorial@@@

Unknown said...

Beautiful blocks! Great tutorial. I think I need to make these.

Lynn said...

Great tutorial! Thanks for the inspiration to use up all those strings.

West Michigan Quilter said...

Great tutorial. I'm always looking for ways to use up those scraps. Your fabrics are beautiful.

Susan D said...

But where's the top? I kept looking, thinking I'd missed it somehow-- what do you do with all these cute blocks?

Cornfield Quilter said...

Love those blocks!! Thanks for the tutorial, these are on my list to make next!

Em said...

Absolutely stunning, so fresh and spring-like. I LOVE KAFFE fabrics, thank you for the tutorial! Em

Jan said...

Great instructions; thanks! I've never thought of using strings to make half log cabins. Think I'll give it a try!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

This is a great tutorial and very useful for everyone!! Thanks Kim.

Carrie P. said...

Awesome tutorial. Another great way to use scraps.

tubakk said...

Wonderful colours you use. I really like them. Thanks for the tutorial.

Tammy said...

Great tutorial! Thank you taking the time to share :)
Love those scrap quilts!!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

Great cute blocks Magnolia bay!

MamaT said...

Thanks for the tutorial. I started making some of these blocks today while snowed in (Yeah! for snow). I will post some pictures of them on my blog soon. I will have lots of fun with these blocks!

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

nice blocks!! i may try & make some of these...

scrapsalot said...

Hi Kim, I just purchased your book from amazon.com and just have to say that I LOVE your book. Never have I ever gone though a book to realise that I would make nearly every quilt in it. Thanks so much. Oh, and I've just realised that you have a blog so now I'll explore that too. Happy scrapping!

Nancy Page said...

Excellent tutorial. What a great and fun way to use your scraps. Thank you for sharing.

Have a great day.

Zlaty said...

That is a such a great idea! I have to try that!

Happy sewing!

Saska said...

Love this! Great way to use scraps. I also want to see how you set these blocks together...I know there is a million different ways to do it, but I want to see your version!

thanks for the tuitorial.

Anonymous said...

Love this!!! Amie :o)

Helen in the UK said...

What a great blog!! I came for the string block tutorial (from a link posted on the HeartString Group) and have ended up adding your book to my wish list on Amazon!! I have lots of strings, so the tutorial gives me a brilliantly different way of using them up. Also have lots of pre-cut strips and your book gives lots of different and fun ways to use them. Thanks so much :)

Sharon said...

I am inspired! Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial, and also the storage information...I'm ready to start stripping and organizing!

SueR said...

Thanks so much for sharing--very nice tutorial. I'd like to try some of these too.

Millie said...

Thanks Kim for sharing. I love to make string quilts and would like to try your tutorial. All the blocks are so pretty.

meli B said...

Thank you. I have seen so many finished quilts using these kinds of blocks and now I have a better idea of how they are put together.
Great tutorial.

Willow Lake Stitches said...

Love this and can't wait to try it ! Great tutorial. . .. thanks so much for sharing !

Beth

Willow Lake Stitches said...

I'd LOVE to link to your string block tutorial on my blog, may I ?

Beth

Karen Kennedy said...

I know this was from four years ago, but I just saw it last week. Thank you for so much inspiration. I am recently retired and now have the time and energy to quilt again. This reminds me of just now much fun all that colour is.

Kokopelli said...

Just stumbled upon this tutorial. Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

RoRo said...

These are the cutest - my kind of quilt block - hope I can squeeze in some time to play with this technique.

Lesley Gilbert said...

I just came here through Pintrest - I've seen this type of tutorial before but this one had lovely photos to look at and very clear instructions - thanks for sharing

Norma said...

I was inspired by your tutorial back in 2010 to start my own version of this quilt. I finally have my blocks together into a flimsy - and it is now just 2015! LOL

www.silverthimble.ca

silverthimble@shaw.ca

David and Patty said...

I love this, a reminder really but really great. There was a call for quilt blocks for the people that lost so much in the flooding of the East coast, (Terrible memory on names) and they were called Wonky Log Patches. Using the strips, as you said, not less that 3/4 of an inch and going from there. I never heard back as to how many quilts were actually made but it was fun being a part of that project. Oh, I remembered, Hurricane Sandy! Anyway, love the tutorial and going to go sew now. Thanks ;)

Bonnie said...

Your timing is perfect for me. I just spent 13 hours going through and organizing all of my scraps by color or holiday. Now thanks to you I have a great way to use them.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

I love this tutorial. And the quilt is beautiful. I am new to quilting and I think I will give it try when I am in Fl for the winter. thank you for sharing !
Susan

Jean said...

I have been organizing my fabrics and scraps the past few days and am very excited to see your tutorial. I'll be getting into mine very shortly Thanks for more inspiration.

Anonymous said...

I don't arrange anything - I grab blindly from the bag and sew onto a 4.5" strip kind of like making jelly roll strips....One day they'll be sewn together in a truly scrappy quilt.

Fall 2008 said...

wow, as I am a newbie that looks great.... today I have a long!!!!!!!!!!!!! string as I boobooed on my boarder so will save it instead of todding it,,, thannkx for the inspirations/gmakitty

Unknown said...

I say...let them be wonky :)
Wonky blocks make cheery quilts :)

Brenda Gale Thompson said...

Help! I've made 23+ blocks after your pattern. need Ideas on how to put them together to make a quilt. Please post a pic of your finished quilt with these string blocks. My daughter and friend say they're too busy!

THanks!

Jenyford smith said...

https://sewcraftyjess.blogspot.com/2012/06/x-marks-spot-block-tutorial.html?showComment=1594400687708#c4835298181932944963

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Barbara Nimmo said...

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Phyllis C said...

Sew easy, and it looks sew good! Let the sewing begin! Thanks for posting another great scrap buster.