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Lynn Brill
String Pieced Scrap Blocks on Newsprint
NOTE:
I learned this technique from Laurel Horton at the SC
Botanical Garden’s Quilt Symposium in 2006.
Supplies I personally use:
o
Newspaper – the Wall Street Journal has less color
pages.
o
Muslin piece to cover ironing board pad to protect it
from any newspaper ink.
o
Square rotary ruler – I use an 8” bias square ruler, but
any size is fine.
o
Fabric for center accent strip – makes diamond pattern
when blocks are sewn together. Any one color is fine –
I prefer black because it goes with everything and pulls
the whole thing together. These need to be cut to reach
past the opposing corners on the paper foundation – I
cut mine 12” long by 2” wide.
o
Scrap strips of any cotton fabrics – cut from 1” to
2-1/2” wide. Length is not a concern. (I LOVE, LOVE,
LOVE my June Tailor slotted ruler for this since you can
cut all different sizes at the same time.)
o
Two rotary cutters - one designated for paper and one
for fabric.
o
Scissors to lop off extra length of strips when sewing.
(I use the Fiskars snip scissors since you don’t have to
put your fingers thru the handles and can pick them up
easily.)
Method
for piecing:
o
Cut around square ruler with rotary cutter designated
for paper – both sides of paper section will yield many
foundations.
o
Pin center strip of accent color (black) to center of
foundation diagonally.
o
Sew strips to each side of black strip. Just use the
side of your presser foot – no need to worry about a
perfect 1/4”. Leave about 1/2” overlapping the edges.
I usually work on one side until it’s half finished
before starting on the other. Vary size and color of
strips – don’t be concerned about coordinating colors
and add some sparkle (e.g. yellow or bright colors)
occasionally. After you start on the second side,
remove the pins from the center strip.
o
Trim sides occasionally to save on thread/fabric – hold
up to light and rough-cut but make sure not to cut too
close to the paper foundation, which will be trimmed at
the end.
o
Press after sewing on each strip. String piece. After
you start on the second side, you can run each block
through twice before getting up to press.
o
Avoid using small strips at the corners – the fabric
will disappear when you sew the block together. This is
a good place to use the wider 2-1/2” strips.
o
When the block is finished, turn it over and center the
rotary ruler square on top of the paper foundation and
trim around – TA DA! You’ve got a finished block!
o
To remove the paper, fold down along the sewn line and
tear off. The next piece will come loose when you give
the block a little tug. This is a great thing to do
when watching tv
J
o
To complete the quilt top, arrange the blocks so the
accent strips form a diamond pattern. Six blocks by
eight blocks makes a top 45” x 60” – perfect for Linus
quilts.
o
Machine quilt with a simple meander – use the same color
thread for both top and bobbin if you’re not sure of
your quilting.
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