String Block Tutorial

This week I have been busy making string blocks from my scrapbag.

I started by cutting a paper foundation square from an old phone book. My pages turned out to be 

5 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches square. But you can use any size square that you want.

Next I layed two strips of fabric right sides together on the paper so that each strip covered the paper from side to side and stitches them onto the paper with a 1/4 inch seam. ( I used the smallest stitch length setting on my machine. When you take the paper off later it makes it easier to remove if the stitch length is small)

 After I sewed each piece of fabric to the paper, I pressed the fabric open, so that it would lay nice and flat.

Keep adding more strips or scraps of fabric until the square of paper is covered.

You can see on the back side of the block how the pieces of fabric are hanging over.

I lined my ruler up to the edge of the paper foundation on the back and trimmed the blocks using my rotary cutter.

While sewing the strips to the blocks, I chain pieced 5-6 blocks at a time. That way I didn't have to get up and press the fabric open with each block. I could press several at a time. 

The next step is tearing the paper off of the back, press the block once more, and wha-la!

You have your string blocks...ready for whatever project you choose to use them in.

They can be used in a table topper, potholders, mug rugs, put several of them together and make a quilt.

I framed some that I had made several years ago and made a quilt for my son. My grandkids call it a rainbow quilt!

And all this time I thought it was a string quilt, or a scrap quilt...Who knew!

Linking with: 

Quilting is more fun than Housework

Sew Many Ways 

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Sunday Scripture

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own 

understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths

straight.  

Proverbs 3:5,6

Have a Blessed Memorial Day!

Remembering all of our soldiers who gave their all!

Thank you!

Sunday Scripture

The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green

pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

Psalm 23:1,2

Sunday Scripture

Have a blessed week!

Stash Update

I added these new fabrics to my stash this week. I just love the fun colors! 

I'm waiting excitedly for my copy of "Farm Girl Vintage" by Lori Holt from Bee in my Bonnet.

I'm planning to use these fabrics along with some

others in my stash to make some of the projects in her book. 

Fabric....that's one of my favorite "F" words! What's yours?

My Sewing Tote

I had a plastic tote, with a handle on the lid, that I could pack some of my quilting supplies and take with me when traveling. 

In my tote I had my favorite rotary cutter, a 6 x 12 rotary ruler, sewing thread, and charms that I had cut from scraps of fabric. Actually there were a few hundred 5x5 charms that I had cut. 

I would carry the tote with me when going to visit my daughter, or when I stayed in my RV when I'm away from home working. The tote had as many travel miles on it as my car does. (LOL)

But somewhere in my travels or during all the company I had while my kids and grandkids were all visiting, my tote got lost. I have tore my house, car, and my RV apart looking for it. I have called all of my kids and had them looking to see if it may have been packed in with there suit cases when they went home. But so far, no one has been able to locate it. 

I visited with my oldest daughter last week, and while we were all laughing and talking about my missing tote, my daughter looked at her dad and told him it was time to stop holding my tote for ransom...the poor man about stopped breathing. He looked at me and denied having it, then he looked at our daughter and told her not to even joke about something like that.

I love my family...and they can be pranksters...but I don't think any of them are brave enough to hide my sewing tote. (LOL)

Well, the last few days I have been back to cutting out  5x5 charm squares from bits and pieces of fabric out of my stash. I have found another tote, and I had to order another rotary cutter to replace the one that was lost. It is supposed to be here this week. 

I hope every one has a great week. Remember God is good!

Have a blessed day!