String Quilting is a technique that grew out of frugality and practicality. A technique that makes use of fabric scraps and odd bits, string quilting involves sewing these strips to a foundation. The fabric strips are uniform in neither size nor shape, and are randomly placed, giving String Quilts a colorful, "scrappy" feel. Because fabric is placed without a specific pattern within a block, there are very few seams to match.

String Quilt Foundations

Traditionally, newspapers, pages from catalogs or muslin were used as foundations for String Quilts. Paper-based foundations were often left intact after a quilt's completion. Some felt the paper provided an additional layer of insulation and warmth; another testament to the String Quilt's heritage of frugality.

Either a paper or cloth foundation may be used in today's String Quilts. It is recommended that paper foundations be torn away before assembling a quilt, as the paper could break off during laundering, causing washing machine problems.

There are a few economical choices if a paper foundation is desired. Any thin, lightweight paper will do. Some quilters swear by freezer paper, but newsprint or tissue paper are good alternatives too.

If a fabric foundation is selected, however, quilters should be aware that the additional layer can make hand quilting challenging. To avoid discomfort and unnecessarily lengthy completion time, either machine-quilting or tying are the best options.

Materials for String Quilting

In a sense, String Quilts are similar to Crazy quilts in that fabric is used without a set pattern. In both cases, too, scraps, leftovers or remnants may be used.

The manner of starting and then constructing these quilts differs, however. Before a String Quilt is assembled, either string material or fabric strings are made.

String material is constructed by sewing long strips of fabric together. Unlike strips used for Strip Quilting, string material is made from fabric of varied shapes and sizes. String material can be cut into different shapes for use within a quilt block. Since uniformity is not required, this really is an ideal use for odd bits of leftover fabric.

A string, similarly, is just a long strip of fabric. Strings do not have to be symmetrical or of a uniform width. Depending upon your project, strings can range from half an inch to 4 inches, although 1 - 1.5 inches is most common. Strings most often are sewn together to form a quilt block.

String Piecing Technique

To create a quilt block using String Piecing, first gather uneven strips of prints and solids. While the fabrics should vary in color and texture, grouping fabrics with complimentary tones creates an attractive result.

Cut a piece of foundation fabric or paper slightly larger than the desired size of your finished block. When the block is complete, the fabric strings need to be squared up, so adding an extra inch to your foundation from the start helps.

Place one fabric string, right side up, on the left side of your foundation. If the string has a wider end, place it at the top. The next piece of fabric should be placed on top of the first with right sides together and the narrow end at the top. Stitch in place with a quarter inch seam allowance. Turn the fabric right side up and press. Continue this technique, adding one fabric string at a time, varying the position of the wider and thinner ends of your fabric until your foundation is covered. Trim string edges to square up the sides of your block.

For best results, spread out prints, very light and very dark fabrics across your blocks. This avoids drawing the eye to any one area in particular. For the same reason, alternate prominent, bold patterns with more subdued prints or solids.

Related : More Quilting Techniques