Sunday, December 07, 2008

String Quilt Project

A long time ago I started saving the ends of my hand dyed fabric strips. Just stuffed and shoved into a pile, then into this baggy.

(Clue #6 refers to one of the mystery quilts I was trying to keep sorted.)


Any quilter who's worked with strings before knows that they just EXPLODE out of their spots when given air. :P

Yeah, looks like I have enough to make a block or two. ;)


Here's 9 blocks, and I made 11 more for a total of 20.

Kinda looks like those Japanese lanterns, cuz I hadn't trimmed the edges yet.


I did have a mini heart-attack moment when I broke my needle. I wasn't paying attention to the top spool, and suddenly things jammed and snapped.

Oh! Ran out of thread. Been a long time since I've ran out of top thread. :P


The quilt top pieced and ready for pinning.



A month ago I posted a teaser from the back as I worked on the binding.


All done!

Small, but has a nice heft to it, given all the fabric and seams. I doodled lines in the opposite direction of the strings. No perfection needed, done in a day. That's my kind of quilting! :)

I'm not sure what to do with it yet. I'm kind attached to it cuz it has all the hard work of me (and my mom!) dyeing the fabric. But I'm not expecting a baby (to my dad's utter disappointment, I'm sure) and my sister isn't a candidate for it. Whenever Dad pesters her for a grandkid, she'll stick up her wedding finger and say "see? No ring, no kids." :D

Leah

25 comments:

Vicki W said...

That quilt is beautiful with the hand-dyed fabrics! Wh not use it as a wall hanging or table topper until your Dad is happy.

Unknown said...

I can see why you are so attached to the quilt and dont want to give it away - its gorgeous. I am so happy that I came across your blog, I am 24 and dont personally know anyone in our age-range who enjoys quilting! :)

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh Leah! It is wonderful! I LOVE it!

tami said...

It's beautiful. I just love it. The hand dyed fabrics give it such a dimensional look.

em's scrapbag said...

I simply love this quilt. The hand dyed fabrics are gorgeous.

swooze said...

Your quilt is really cute. On the top thread...I keep filling bobbins off that spool and sew and sew and sew. It seems like it is never ending. Watch me get caught because I am feeling comfortable with it being fine!

Debra Dixon said...

Great dramatic flair with the black batik running through the dyed fabrics!

Mary Johnson said...

This is beautiful!

Nanette Merrill said...

Oh wow, that is fabulous! I love the motion it creates.

Thanks for entering my giveaway!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

I think I would be attached too - that turned out just gorgeous. The quilting is perfect for it!!

Libby said...

This is so great - I love the colors. Very fun. I definitely agree that you should just hang onto it until you have a home for it...no shame in that. I've got many quilts waiting around for me to know what to do with them.

Kim said...

Oh I had a needle break tonight too when I ran out of thread. Those Connecting threads spools last FOREVER.
Your quilt looks great and I agree with Vicki, make a wall hanging or table topper out of it...

Valerie the Pumpkin Patch Quilter said...

Ooooh I love this! Looks like it wasn't as intensive as using a muslin foundation block as some do with these string blocks...I have to try it!!!

Sheila said...

Quite pretty indeed! Love the colors.

Lori in South Dakota said...

its beautiful, hang it on the wall. Too lovely not to be admired.

Anonymous said...

I really love this quilt,good job,Wig.

Sweet P said...

What a gorgeous quilt! I love how you quilted it! I would save it. At some point the perfect candidate will appear for it.

bingo~bonnie said...

Leah, your strings look great against that black batik fabric! Great coordination!!! I think you should keep if for "ONE DAY" - even if you arent' thinking baby right now... you just never know! ;)

Happy Christmas in case i dont' make it back 'round to ya again... Love from Texas! ~bonnie

Anonymous said...

Oh it is beautiful. i would hang it up so that I could marvel at it everyday.

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

It is beautiful - I love the black fabric you chose to tie everything together.

Anonymous said...

Love your string quilt. Those were great colors to mix!

Unknown said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! It's beautiful. I would definitely hang it or keep it tucked away. The memories of dying the fabric will certainly be so very special forever.
You rock!!

Passionate Quilter said...

I agree--that one is a beauty, I'd hang on to it too! And a great way to keep some memories of a fun time.
Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

The string quilt turned out real great. Make me one to do one myself (I even got a pack of jelly roll from Fat Quarter Shop).

Mel G said...

Beautiful job on the hand dyed fabrics and quilt!! Definitely a keeper until the time comes! hehe