Stringing Along

I have a new hobby! (As if I need something else to do.) It’s called string quilting. Have you ever come across it before? Have you done it yourself?

I’ve always fancied trying my hand at quilting, but it was one of those crafts I was putting off until I had time to focus on it. Well, that’s all changed now. My fabric scraps were threatening to take over my work room, so I decided it was time to do something with them. Many were too small to use – or so I thought.

I researched quilting with scraps and discovered string quilting. It involves sewing thin strips of fabric diagonally across a square of fabric until you have a quilt block. I also came across the ‘quilt as you go’ method where a square of fabric is sewn directly onto a square of batting and quilted, then the squares are joined and a backing added to create the finished quilt. I chose to combine the two techniques and sew the strips of fabric - my ‘strings’ - onto a square of batting. It’s worked out well so far.

While researching I found some quilts that used completely random fabrics, all mixed together with no attempt at control at all. That was too much chaos for me, I like a little more restraint, so I came up with a roughly colour-coordinated design with a white strip in the centre of each block which will form a diamond pattern and separate the colours.

I find it very relaxing and a great way to unwind. This is not going to become yet another project that I have to complete within a certain time. It’s comfort sewing, and I’ll work on a square whenever I need a break from everything else.

Here’s part of my first row - two more blocks will be joined on to the row at the right-hand side to complete it. What do you think?