Quilt Block of the Month–String Quilt Block (Part 1)

It’s the first Monday of the month and we are continuing our Quilt Block of the Month Tutorial and this month is one of my absolute favorites for using up scraps. Today I am showing the quilt block itself and then on Wednesday I will show you how to  complete the mini quilt using 4 string blocks.

The String Quilt Block is a quilt block that dates back to the early twentieth century when fabric was scarce. It could be made from such small scraps so no fabric would go wasted. Women made them from old clothing and blankets and even sometimes other worn-out quilts.

It is a versatile quilt block that can be made in any size you want and it is a foundational paper piecing technique….although I prefer to make them with quilt batting. It saves me a step in basting the quilt…which I will show you on Wednesday. If you want to make them out of paper you will substitute the squares of quilt batting for paper and the paper will be peeled off after the quilt block is made. The batting method stays in and will be used as the batting for the quilt.

Let’s get started with your materials:

10″ by 10″ quilt batting–I like to use an all cotton batting  (You will need 4 to complete a mini quilt)

Fabric scrap strips in multiple sizes….I cut mine from 1″ to 2.5″ strips (some need to be at least 10-12″ long to fit the block)

4 White Strips for the center sections 1.5″ by 12″

String Quilt Block Tutorial:

    

Step1: Cut batting 10″ by 10″ (or any size you want). Draw a straight line from one diagonal corner to the opposite corner.

Step 2: Cut scrap fabrics from 1″ to 2.5″ (or larger if you choose). A variation of fabrics works very well for this quilt block.

Step 3: Lay a white strip on the middle of the diagonal line. I like to use a white in the center….it keeps all the blocks the same.

    

Step4: Lay another strip on top of the middle white strip right sides together. Stitch using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Step 5: Repeat with the next color strip.

Step 6: Keep adding strips until you have completed the first diagonal side.

    

Step 7: Repeat on the opposite diagonal of the batting just as you did for the first side.

Step 8: After all the strips are sewn together, turn the quilt block over and trim back to 10″ by 10″.

And you are done!!!