Today I’m sharing my fourth string quilt – this one is sewn up using mostly pinks. So far I have made a string quilt using fabric as a base, paper as a base and now this one uses left over batting scraps as a base.
I really liked using the batting as a base because it’s a great way to use up those leftover cut off pieces of batting. I did not quilt the design as I went and instead assembled the quilt top and then added the backing and quilted like normal. But that would be a good option with batting as a base.
You would attach the string scraps to the batting – then quilt the design on the front and when it comes time to add the backing – a lot of quilters will just stitch in the ditch or even incorporate more of the quilting design. You could even quilt-as-you-go bigger chunks of blocks at a time instead of doing them individually.
I really liked this method and will definitely be doing it again. I did however learn some things as I went!
Quilt Dimensions
8×10 layout = 80 blocks
8 inch (7.5 inch finished) blocks
Measures 60″x75″
String Scraps
I started saving my string scraps many years ago. String scraps are long skinny scraps. For me – that is anything under 2.5 inch wide. If it’s 2.5 inch wide then it goes in my regular scrap bins. I keep my string scraps in this teal basket under my ironing board. It’s a pretty big basket!
Whenever I end up with those long skinny scraps – I toss them in. I get these scraps a lot when cutting fat quarters and you end up with just a sliver left.
And when the basket is overflowing – it’s time for a string quilt!
When I make a string quilt I usually dump it out on my floor and keep them out until the quilt is done. That means a messy floor for a few weeks.
Adding a cohesive strip
So far every time I’ve made a string quilt – I have added a cohesive strip down the center of each block. I kind of like how it adds just a touch of cohesiveness to this otherwise scrappy chaotic quilt. This time I went with a subtle polka dot print. The center strip is 1.25″ wide (.75″ finished) on these blocks.
I tend to work on a batch of blocks at a time. And this time I pulled out some paper plates to keep them sorted since the fabric was sticking to the batting on the block before it.
There are tons of tutorials out there on how to make a string quilt. My past string quilt blog posts have a lot more detail. Especially the first and second one.
I thought this stack of completed blocks was kind of fun. It was a big pile since the batting is already attached.
Bulky batting seams
I was a little worried about these seams since they have batting in them and are pretty bulky. I sewed the blocks together using a 3/8″ seam allowance and I would highly recommend that! I pressed the seams open and I think the bigger seam allowance allows them to lay just a little flatter. I sprayed them with a water bottle and pressed flat. I didn’t have any trouble pressing the batting. You might need to be careful if you have a poly batting.
My blocks are a mix of 100 cotton, 80/20 cotton/poly and bamboo. And the only reason they are a mix is that I don’t label my batting scraps and couldn’t tell them apart..lol.
You can see a little of my block making process above. I wanted this string quilt to be heavy on the pinks and peaches so I would sort out good options to use. And yeah – this is what my sewing room looked like the entire time I made this quilt.
I think for the next string quilt I make I might try to go super random on the scraps and see what happens. Like maybe blindly grab the next scrap and just use them all up. Because after this quilt I have certainly depleted those warm colors from the basket.
Spray basted and wavy stitch quilted
I assumed I would send this off to my long arm quilter with no issues. However- I decided to check with her as I was writing one of my weekly newsletters. She actually said quilts like this with bulk seams can be challenging. They can cause skipped stitches and the quilting design can go off course. So I decided I’ll tackle it myself instead of being a pain of a client for her…lol.
Since the blocks already have batting – I just had to add the backing. I used a cotton sheet for the backing. I really wanted to use minky because I thought it would help hide those bulky seams a little. But I didn’t have a color to use on hand. So instead I used what I did have – and that’s this cotton sheet. Well – I didn’t quite think it through and you can see how below.
It quilted up just fine on my Janome MC6700p! I went with the wavy stitch with lines spaced one inch apart. You can see the settings on my machine below.
Here’s the part I didn’t quite think through…. I used a light colored sheet and you can see the seams through it! I use lighter backings all of the time but forgot to consider the fact that there wouldn’t be a layer of batting between the top and backing on this one.
You can clearly see the block grid on the back. Oh well! It’s still a cozy quilt and someone will enjoy it.
I always find these string quilts enjoyable to sew up and this one certainly won’t be my last!
Hello, I'm Emily