My stack of blocks-
Finished! It is 81 x 90 inches finished- whew! One of the biggest I've ever made! I used a yellow and gray polka-dot on the backing. It was tough to choose a backing that didn't scream "baby quilt!"
I have always loved string quilts, but since I usually choose more large scale, modern prints, I always feel like I shouldn't cut them into little bitty strings. So, I thought that my stack of 1930's reproduction fabrics would be perfect! I love how it turned out. I had hoped to get a picture of the quilt outside in the sunshine, but it has been raining here for two days, so I guess that's just the way it goes.
(**updated- finally got some good pictures outside in the sunshine, so I changed the pictures just in time for the String Fever Festival of Strings at Stitched in Color)
I'm linking this to Finish it Up Friday at www.crazymomquilts.blogspot.com
and linking to String Fever at Stitched in Color at the end of May!
What a wonderful quilt! It is very beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteEsther
Thank you very much for your kind comment! It was lots of work but I like the way it turned out too!
DeleteI love this quilt!!! Is your center strip the Kona white showing through, or did you sew a white strip to the Kona White?
ReplyDeleteMy center strip is the Kona White showing through. Even though the rest of the quilt is "double layered" and the center strip isn't, all finished, it isn't noticeably thinner since Kona is nice and thick all by itself. :)
Delete-Kelly
and thanks SO much! :)
Delete-Kelly
I've not yet made a string quilt but had thought I would sew directly onto white fabric if I do. It just seemed to make more sense to me and adds stability to the quilt. Apparently this is how string quilts were made many years ago.
ReplyDeleteI definitely liked sewing to the fabric rather than paper, and I definitely appreciated that the strips didn't feel flimsy while sewing, but I might do muslin next time. Kona is just so heavy by itself.
DeleteBeautiful quilt and I love strings too!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love it1 and love heavy quilts too!
ReplyDeletedid a similar one for my son https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=468530900985&l=c61285c1ca
Sorry, meant to add I think I used a cheap muslin from joanne's for my "base" fabric . .. it is still heavy, but we live where it's cold!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!! Yes, there's nothing like sleeping under the weight of a really heavy quilt when it's cold at night!
Deleteps- responding here instead of by email since you are a no-reply blogger. :)
Your string quilt is so pretty!!
ReplyDeleteI adore the fabrics you choose.
It's beautiful! Being heavy would be a bonus in my book, but I know it must have been a bear to quilt.
ReplyDeleteYour 30ies prints were perfect! I'm always so torn between brights or the softer colors of the '30ies. So glad we don't have to make one choice...each quilt gives us opportunity to play. Toni
ReplyDeleteSo gorgeous!! I have a set of 30's string blocks from a swap in my UFO Collection... after seeing yours I think I might have to bump them up the priority list a bit! I just love the clear tones in 30's fabrics - so refreshing.
ReplyDeleteI don't often use 30s prints, but I do love them. I think the strings are a fun way to use them. Just such a pretty quilt.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty!
ReplyDeleteI just love this - I have always wanted to do a quilt using 30's reproductions and this is a great way to do it. Just fantastic!
ReplyDeleteGreat choice with the 30s repros. It looks great!! I'll bet that heavy weight will be perfect come winter and you'll feel like a genius! ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your string quilt! you make me want to finish mine RIGHT NOW!
ReplyDeleteI love your repro fabrics! Such a calming-happy color scheme they make. I pieced onto paper and ripped the paper off, and my string top is still plenty heavy because of all the seams. I believe you that yours took muscle!! Great finish.
ReplyDeletethis is stunning!
ReplyDeleteI am here after hearing about the Stitched in Colour Festival and love this quilt of yours, great fabrics too..........yummy!
Beautiful quilt! I love all the 30's and 40's reproduction prints and have a while collection of them myself. They look perfect in your quilt. I bet it will be super warm on some cold winter nights.
ReplyDeleteSuch a good idea to use the repro prints as strings, over modern ones. I agree - it's hard to cut them up!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a really amazing quilt! You did a beautiful job! The more I see of string quilts, the more I want to drop everything and do one! Beautifully done and thank you for linking up!
ReplyDeletexo -E
I just recently finished some string quilts. For a stabilizer I used dryer fabric softener sheets. Pressed them flat with low heat. They are 6"x9" after I square them up. Sewed 2" strips to sides and made 9 x 9 blocks and then placed them -|-|-| so they look like colors in a square. Have made 5 so far for charity quilts for men in a group home for the mentally challenged. One in browns, one in greens, one in blues, etc. turned out great and they smell good too. Just not good for anyone with allergies to scents. Would post pics, but too computer challenged to do so. LOL
ReplyDeleteNadine, Manitoba, Canada
I made a string quilt using the white background too. Did you use batting in between? I can't decide if I should leave the batting off, since like you said, it is heavy already.
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt! I pieced a spiderweb quilt on paper and would NOT do that again. Thanks for the tip on using lighter fabric for the foundation. I hadn't thought about the extra heaviness.
ReplyDelete