SEND ME YOUR STRINGS!

I am working on a new Class--SAVE OUR STRINGS. My ideas are flowing and I need to make a variety of string blocks for possible ideas. It would be great to have lots of scrap fabrics from lots of people so none of the pattern blocks look like each other. If they are all made from my fabric, they will all look the same. 

My strings are thrown into a tote bag beside my cutting table and when full, I play with them:

What am I looking for? Quilting cottons, no less than 1" wide, no more than 4" wide, any length, small to long. All colors, solids and prints. If you loved it when you used it in a quilt, I will love it too. 

Here are a few of my block ideas:

At the moment I have 10 blocks/units I plan to offer so there will be lots of sewing in my future.

If you want to have your SCRAPS included, gather up a big Ziploc bag full, put them in an large envelope and send them my way. If you don't have my address, send me an email: bbquiltmaker AT gmail--and I will provide my mailing address.

IF you will be attending International Quilt Festival in Houston November 9-13, 2026 and want to hand me your strings, that works too.

Everyone who sends me a package will be in a random drawing for a GREAT GIFT: rotary cutter, thread, scissors, new fabric. Trust me, you will want to win this! 

Please plan to ship no later than November 20, 2026. The winner will be selected on Thanksgiving, November 26, 2026. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

Strings--Save Our Scraps!

Recently. I taught a stings class at a local quilt shop. There were piles of strings to play with and lots of fun was had as small amounts of our precious stash was turned into something useful. The class sample was a suggestion:

I have written about Strings several times before, String Blocks and String Block Swap Tutorial are just a few posts about this fast and fun method. When you just want to sew and you don't want to think too hard, this is perfect. AND you can use a FREE QUILT NOTION you probably already have:  telephone books, the paper is perfect for this.

First I showed the students lots of design ideas for how to use scrap strings. Most of them decided to go with the class sample for their project.

One of the employees brought a huge bag of her strings to donate--the students could have whatever they wanted from the pile:

After lunch I put those away and dumped the large tote bag full of my strings I brought to share:

Since this bag is not nearly as heaped full as when I brought it, looks like they got some good stuff. Why are other people's scraps more exciting than our own?

A few class photos:

Marje working with Christmas fabrics

Donna making a pillow to match her bedroom

Anne also worked in Christmas fabrics

Pam had fun playing with cheerful fabrics

Marje's Christmas Star is coming together

Donna--Center Option 1?

Or Center Option 2?

 I had a pile of blocks I received in a swap years ago. This seemed a good time to sew them together. Here it is quilted and bound and washed, I will donate it to our guild's "Comfy Quilt" program. It's only 30" x 50" but that's OK, good for a small child as a floor quilt:

 Detail of the simple quilting, great for practice:

Sewing strings is also a great way to sew with a child--they can easily sew strings you cut for them, and if you have a Featherweight or other small, fairly simple machine, they will quickly get into this and have fun.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

String Star and Secret Sewing

Just a couple things to show today. Class sample for Stars and Strings--Save Our Scraps:

Class is Saturday October 27, 2018, 9-3, at Patches & Stitches, Huntsville, AL. Machine Quilting this is on tap for later today.

This past week I have been very busy "Secret Sewing". Here is just a glimpse:

Large top is done, instructions are written, just a bit more to do. All will be revealed in September.

Let's Quilt!

Barbara

String Stars--A Local Event

For my local friends, you all know what a treasure we have in Burritt on the Mountain. Did you know they offer Folk Art Workshops too?

Saturday, July 14, 2018 I will be teaching String Stars--Save Our Scraps from 9-4. All the info you need to sign up can be found here. You can even order a boxed lunch:

Burritt on the Mountain Folk School

 Easy or more challenging, you decide:

There is info on their Facebook page as well:

Burritt on the Mountain Facebook

The deadline to register is July 7 so don't delay. Why not grab a friend and spend a day making star blocks from your scraps?

I hope you can join us.

Let's Quilt.

Barbara