String Quilt Block: A Foundation Piecing Tutorial

String quilts are pretty fantastic. They're so much fun to make, a great way to use up scraps, and can help build a lot of confidence if you're just beginning to learn to piece and quilt.

I'd like to tell you a little bit more about the foundation paper that I'm using. It's a product that my mom, Sharon Schamber, and I have been using for machine applique for many many years. It has helped change how many appliquers do their work. Those who use our technique have more accuracy, work with ease, and don't have to cut out the back of their applique pieces to remove other types of foundations. This foundation simply stays in the applique piece.

Most string quilt tutorials, that I've seen, use printer or scrapbook paper as the foundation paper. There is a downnfall: it all has to be torn away before you can piece the blocks together. I hate tearing the paper away. It can take a lot of time. Also, you always run the risk of distorting your blocks when you tear the paper away from the seams. Using this foundation paper eliminates tearing it away. It stays in, which helps keep your block measurements more accurate, and helps you finish faster. I love efficiency!! After you wash your quilt, the foundation becomes soft, and the fibers blend in with the batting. Oh, and it's really easy to quilt over! Bonus!!

Now you can cut your foundation paper to size. You can really go with any size block, for string quilt blocks. I've seen amazing 12" blocks, and super cute 6" blocks. I'm using a 9" block, here.

Next, cut up some strips of fabric: multiples of 1", 1.25", 1.5", 1.75, 2", and maybe even 2.25" strips. There's a lot of flexibility here to be super scrappy, or to plan out the color order of the strips in the blocks. This, of course depends on you and your personality.

In addition, you'll need 1" strips of your center stripe color (you can make them wider, of course). I chose white for mine, but you can easily go with any color you wish.

Can I just tell you how amazingly soft and lucsious Bari J's Lilly Belle is?

Good quality fabrics make a huge difference. They can make your projects look better, and make them more fun to make (and finish, lol).

Once your strips are cut, take one of your white ones, and measure it along the diagonal center of one of the pieces of foundation paper. Trim it about an inch too long on each end. You can go ahead and cut all of your white strips this same length, as their length won't change.

Now, glue it on down. I use Elmer's Washable School Glue sticks. They start out purple, and turn clear when dry. By far, they are my favorite anytime I need a glue stick for any quilting or sewing project.

Heat set it with a hot, dry iron. With this glue stick, you'll see a bit of purple show through the strip. No worries though, it will be clear once it cools off.

Are you ready for my next little twist??

More glue!!!!

I rarely use pins when I piece, whether it's regular piecing or foundation piecing. I prefer using Elmer's Washable School Glue as a basting glue. I attach a fine tip to the top, apply the glue and heat set it. It works like a charm! Everything stays where it's supposed to, and there's no shifting when I sew them up. Also, I drastically reduce the risk of poking myself with pins, or sewing over them and breaking a needle on my sewing machine. I think you'll really like this way of piecing, without pins.
**Heat-setting is VERY important. It stabilizes the fabrics, and the glue won't gum up your needle.**

Apply a line of glue close to the edge of your white strip. Carefully place your first strip on top of the white one, right sides together. Be sure align the edges of both strips. See how the glue is on th edge of the fabric, and not really on the sewing/seam line? 

Heat set the glue with your dry iron.

Sew it on up! Use a 1/4" seam allowance. Often with foundation piecing, you have to reduce your stitch length so you can tear the paper away more easily (hopefully). No need here. You can keep your usual stitch length. I like 2-2.5.

I really hope you enjoy this technique, and share it with your friends. I love sharing my little tricks and tips, and am always here to help.