Question about string / strippy quilt piecing

[sewngran]

First, I want to thank you all for responding to my post and offering tips on piecing a strip quilt. I finally made the quilt without foundation or paper piecing by sewing my strips together and placing my 9 1/2" template on point on the strips and cutting. While it is a pretty nice quilt, I wouldn't make another one the same way because I felt I had to be so careful with those bias edges. You all had some very good ideas that helped me, but I didn't follow some of your good tips, which suggested foundation piecing, and I wished I had !

I talked to a few people locally who had made one without a foundation and they said it worked fine, so I gave it a try. I had it machine quilted and the quilter took extra pains with it and it turnd out fine, but I wouldn't use that method again and wanted to let you know in case there is someone out there who is about to try it. It obviously works for some, but it was kind of a headache for me. I will sure stick to your good tips on foundation piecing on the next one! Thanks again.

[cindyg]

Sewngran - I put a picture of one of my string quilts on the photo section. You have to scroll down quite a ways but it's a purple and red quilt. I used muslin for the foundation. I think I cut 12" squares, maybe 15". Anyway, you draw a line about 1" away from the center diagonally on both sides of the center and then lay a strip of fabric right side down on the line, sew 1/4" seam, flip the strip over and press and lay your next strip raw edges together, sew 1/4" seam and flip it open and press. I put purples on one side of the block and reds on the other side and then when I put them all together it came out looking like big scrappy squares on point. The other one I did was completely scrappy and it looks good, too.

[QuiltinKay]

I make lots of string pieced quilts. One that I particularly like is aimple and when set together it looks like it is on point but is really set square.
I use a foundation of thin muslin usually 9". On the diagonal I begin with a strip of black. On one side I use dark strips and on the other I use light strips. When pieced together four blocks at a time you come out with a dark square and a light.The four light and four dark are each outlined with a black strip.
This quilt is really pretty and easy to piece. I should have my hook up to send pictures next week and I will post a picture of it. This quilt works up fast and you do not have to work with any bias seams.

[QuiltinKay]

I left out one line. The black strip is on the diagonal from opposite corners, so you are piecing on the diagonal. It's simple since you are using a foundation.

[Oasis]

Thanks Kay. . . .

I'm going to try the black strip down the middle idea. I always put the SAME strip down the middle, whatever it was, but like the idea of the black and then the lights and darks on each side.

[saden]

I just happened upon this discussion and have discovered that the quilt top my aunt gave me that my dear grandma made years ago must be this pattern. I had wondered about it as I'm fairly new to quilting and hadn't come across it in any books I've read so far. It is a full size but I need a king so took to my LQS and purchased a solid and retro print to add a large and small border. The ladies at LQS suggested stitch in the ditch for quilting. What do you all think?

[quilter78]

At first when I read your comments about strip quilting I didn't understand what you meant. But I think it is the same as when I made heart shape place mats. I cut different width strips then sewed them together by sewing right sides together then flipped tme over and continued that way until I had a large square then made a heart shape pattern and cut around it.. Used bias binding.. Also if you like you can use two of them and make a table runner.. If my scanner was working I would send a picture.. they turned out real nice and made several sets for friends. Is this what you call string/stripping?I think I had muslin for the foundation.. When done I used batting and a backing and hand quilted it before I put the binding on. I have used them also to set hot dishes on, they are so fast to make.