STRING PIECED QUILT AS YOU GO
This is a quick, easy scrap user for Charity quilts. Using the
pictures I took while making the sample, I hope you will be
able to follow these directions.
For the sample quilt, I made 7 ½” finished squares set 4x6, giving
me a finished quilt of approx. 30-45”. This is the size I will
refer to in these directions, but you can make them any size
that works for you (and your scrap stash).
I started with 8” squares of backing fabric. Not all of the backing
squares need to be the same fabric. Using several fabrics
will add to the quilt, making it reversible.
String pieced quilt as you go
2
I covered my backing fabric
with batting. Notice that
my batting is not cut the
same size as the backing
– I used up scraps and
didn’t even bother to
stitch them together. I
just pinned them in place,
making sure my backing
was completely covered.
Using strips of fabric cut 1 ¼”
to 2” wide, lay a strip
diagonally across the
batting, right side up. If
you are using pieces of
batting, as I did, try to lay
the first strip so that your
stitching will catch both
pieces of batting.
STRING PIECED QUILT AS YOU GO
3
Lay a second strip, right side
down on top of the first
strip, and stitch down
one long side, using ¼”
seam. Strips do not
have to be the same
width and color doesn’t
matter.
One variation of this pattern,
however, happens when
you keep your center
strip the same color
throughout the quilt.
This will form a
secondary pattern when
the blocks are sewn
together.
It is not necessary to press
each seam as you stitch
and flip. Finger pressing
is enough.
STRING PIECED QUILT AS YOU GO
4
Continue adding strips on each
side, until the batting is
covered. Don’t worry
about how messy it
looks, because we are
going to trim these
squares down.
Turn the square over and trim
from the back side to
required size – for my
sample I trimmed to 7 ½”.
STRING PIECED QUILT AS YOU GO
5
Now we will start to assemble the blocks into rows. But first, there
is another variable to making this quilt. You can cut your
backing 1” larger than your batting and proceed to cover the
batting as above. But in this variation you must be careful
not to stitch into that extra 1” of backing fabric. And you
must also be careful when trimming the blocks that you do
not trim away the excess backing fabric.
I find it quicker and easier to just go ahead and cover the
batting/backing piece and use the following method to join
my blocks.
STRING PIECED QUILT AS YOU GO
6
Lay out your squares out in a
pleasing manner. Note
that my lower left square is
facing the wrong way. I
guess I was in too much of
a hurry to take the picture.
Cut sashing strips 1 ¼” x
length of square – in the
sample 1 ¼”x7 ½”.
Stitch sashing strips to
backing, right sides
together on two adjacent
squares using ¼” seam.
Do not attach sashing strips to
the outside edges of your
rows. These will be
finished when the quilt is
assembled.
Open sashing strips out and
finger press
.
STRING PIECED QUILT AS YOU GO
7
Place two squares, back to
back with sashing strips
right sides together.
Be sure that your batting edges
are aligned and stitch
sashing strips right along
the edge of the batting.
You can use a zipper foot
but I find I can stay on track
if I stitch slowly.
Open squares out and
separate sashing strips.
Finger press them open.
Fold raw edge of sashing strip
under and top stitch in
place. This stitching should
cover the stitching from
adding the sashing to the
square.
Do the same on the other side
of the seam.
STRING PIECED QUILT AS YOU GO
8
Because the squares are butted up
against each other under the sashing
strips, I like to do a fancy stitch – wide
zigzag or similar stitch – down the
center of the sashing. I think this not
only looks good, but provides
additional stability to the seams.
Specially for quilt for kids, which might
take lots of use and laundering.
Continue to add squares until you have the
width you want your quilt to be.
Join rows in the same manner, stitching
full length 1 ¼” sashing strips to both
rows and following the square sashing
directions. Do not add sashing to the
top and bottom of the quilt.
The quilt can be bound in the usual way or
to be quicker, I just cut more 1 ¼”
strips and add them around the quilt as
I would a normal binding, mitering
corners, except that I sew it to the
WRONG side of the quilt and finish it
the same as the sashing strips, by
folding it under and top stitching it by
machine.
The greatest thing about this quilt is that it
is finished when you to this point – no
more quilting, etc. All it needs is the
label.
ENJOY!!!