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Do you use a "foundation" when you make string quilt blocks?? I just found a large bag of strings.....would rather not use a foundation for them, can I do it that way??
Thanks!

• • • Of course you can! Strip piece them all together and then cut them to size. This way you can actually piece more than one block at a time.

The reason they use the foundation is because of the bias edges since your strips run on the diagonal.

PWife, here is a quick tute I did awhile back that shows you how to best use the foundation block with strings. The full directions will be under each picture when you open them up.

http://home-and-garden.webshot...lbum/578038497uozgKX

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KC1930,

I did a string quilt that didn't have you sew the blocks on a foundation. It went together just fine. I pinned more and sewed slower though...just a little afraid of all that bias.

I agree with Jayardi...you can sew more than one block at a time that way.

Feel free to let me know if you want more info on how my pattern had me do it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Will Quilt for Chocolate,

Have done them using both methods. No problems with either one.

WQFC, I just love that quilt!

omg! I love that quilt too, what pattern did you use WQFC?

I like using some thin muslin as a foundation - cut a bunch and sew away.....I can sew faster since I don't have to be so careful. I have some fabrics cut to make some not using foundation and just haven't wanted to dive into it yet. I have some of the strips sewn but not the cutting.

I got the pattern with a kit. It's called Coffee & Teal and it's by fourth & Sixth Designs.

http://www.4and6designs.com/pa...roduct=30&category=1

I always use muslin as a foundation. You can also use old sheets. Never tried that mut am sure they would work fine. Better than throwing them away when you are done using them.

WQFC -- you can use newspaper as your foundation. Leave it on the squares until you get the top put together and THEN remove the paper. It serve the purpose of stabilizing any bias edges, but you don't have the extra weight and cost of foundation fabric. I've found that tops get quite heavy with fabric foundations.

FFG - thanks for the advice, but I'm not the one who needs it! LOL! I was just showing PWife the quilt I did without foundations. I wouldn't use newsprint though...afraid of the ink letting off.

Jill that is even more beautiful then I remember!!!!

Anyone thinking of using newspaper or phone books might want to check the ink for the possibility of transferring on to light fabrics.

I don't use the foundation method. I like the weight of a single layer.

I have used some flimsy cotton that was not of high quality. Great way to use it up.

I use phone books for string blocks ALL the time and I have never had a problem. I love the idea because I also use the paper to trim down blocks/units especially when my string unit is a triangle.

i use the cheapiest muslin i can, 99 cents a yard stuff. works for me. i love doing string quilts. so easy to make, i like do scrappy fabric.

patsy

I have used muslin in the past. Muslin added lots of weight to the quilt--nothing to remove was the benefit! I did quilt it and use batting--some quilters do not use batting if they have used muslin for a foundation--no batting (some use flannel for batting)used gives you a "summer quilt."

I have done some of Bonnie Hunter's mysteries with string blocks. She introduced the idea of old phone books or kids scribble pads ($1 store) to be used as a foundation. A size 90 needle with smaller stitches is used. You can easily work a few blocks at a time (sew a strip on a few blocks--then cut them off leaving one block under the needle, add more strips to the ones you started, cut off the back etc.). She removes papers after the blocks are trimmed to size, but before piecing them into the quilt. I really like this method. The papers are very easy to remove if you use the larger needle and smaller stitch length. In case you haven't heard, her next book due out in July features strings (STRING FLING is the title). Scroll back through her blog posts and you will see a preview of patterns. They look really interesting and most likely I will buy the book!

What I like about Bonnie Hunter is that she uses scraps in her quilts. So many of the "Scrap" quilt books use what I consider purchased fabrics, a yard of so many fabrics or fat quarters... Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Will Quilt for Chocolate:
I got the pattern with a kit. It's called Coffee & Teal and it's by fourth & Sixth Designs.

http://www.4and6designs.com/pa...roduct=30&category=1

You KNOW i love it..i had to keep bugging you to make it so i could see it! it was in Keepsake quilting when you got it,right? It turned out beautiful!

I used muslin and since I pre-wash all my fabrics, I also pre-wash my muslin. Sheets might be fine, but the thread count is sometimes so high it is hard to quilt.

In my signature, you will find a Webshots photo album--check out the string quilts from the HGTV ladies. If you would like to add a photo to the album, please PM me for my email address.

kim - so grateful that you did! It is what got me going on it again! It was from Keepsake. I was disappointed in the fabrics that they sent (didn't correspond with the amount the pattern said) but they sent me some more.

And...it all goes together without foundations!

Thanks so much for all the answers.......am doing it without the foundation. I love love love that brown and blue/aqua quilt.......it is gorgeous!

Hugs to you all!

Vickie the Preacher's wife!!