Use Up Those Narrow Strips with String Quilting
Scrappy Blocks Are Great for Quick and Easy Pot Holders!
Leftover strips of fabric in varying widths, even skinny ones, can be put to good use in string quilts. String quilting is an easy way to stitch thin strips into blocks. A foundation is used to stabilize narrow strips and make them usable.
The process of string quilting is very simple and fast, even for beginning quilters. The resulting scrappy squares are so charming and can be cut into triangles or other shapes as needed.
Blocks made using this process can be incorporated into just about any project you can imagine. These wonderful potholders by Jayne from Twiggy and Opal are a great place to start.
While exact instructions are not provided, it won’t be hard to replicate these using string-quilted squares. The designer says that 3″ squares are combined with 3/4″ sashing and finished off with a 1″ border. Since she also says that the finished potholders are 8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ those measurements appear to apply to the finished sizes.
Create four 3 1/2″ string quilted blocks, add sashing strips cut to 1 1/4″ and borders cut at 1 1/2″. The cornerstone in the center will be cut at 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″.
Found at the Twiggy and Opal Etsy shop.
No instructions were provided for the examples shown above but the finished size is 8 3/4″ x 8 3/4″. You can create something similar by using unfinished string-pieced blocks of 4 1/4″ and sashing cut at 1 1/4″. Cut the cornerstone blocks so they are 1 1/4″ square.
There are many ways that string-pieced squares can be used in projects. Another set of Jayne’s potholders shows how charming they are with a block in the center. Just make the last strip in one corner of each square the same width of white to create the block in the center when the blocks are sewn together.
Four 4 1/2″ unfinished blocks will result in approx. 8 1/4″ x 8 1/4″ pot holders.
String-pieced blocks can be made using either a paper or fabric foundation. Fabric works great for potholders and doesn’t need to be removed.
Make your own charming pot holders and try out string quilting at the same time using the info found at the following links.
