strings blocks for kismet

This year for the rainbow scrap challenge, I added fish school blocks in the monthly color. I collected enough for the quiltville pattern kismet in August

I needed to make string blocks for kismet, but, I thought I would retire the blocks to the ufo closet. But, I couldn't forget it, and, with the neutral month in October, I made all the string blocks for crazie mazie.  And, then, while the string mess was out on the table, I started on kismet string blocks, too. I made 80+ of the 124 I need. I am so close.... I need to clean up the area..... I want to finish first.

I added the stray color of strings to the few I had already made. Now, I have all the blocks I need in the color version.

I am linking to:

rsc23 super saturday
oh scrap
wednesday wait loss

fair and square finish

 I had this quilt on the maybe someday list until 2017, when, I decided to really make it. I started the string piecing, off and on, until, I finished the blocks in 2019.  Next, I spent some time making little 4 patches. It is all made with recycled shirt fabric, except the black. I love shirt fabric. It is vibrant and cozy.

The quilt became part of the 5 quilts project in 2022  I don't remember why it was not quilted then, but, instead visited the to be quilted closet, until, now.

Now it is finished - hooray- I chose this as my one monthly goal for October.

82 x 104 = 25 yards

this is my 24th UFo finish for the year

my October PHD report 

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TGIFF

TGIFF different   

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creations

peacock party

from bolt to beauty

whoop whoop

oh scrap sunday

wednesday wait loss

My quilt infatuation

one monthly goal

crazie

The color of the month for the rainbow scrap challenge is neutrals. I thought it would be a good time to dig out my neutral strings, and, continue working on these blocks for quiltville pattern craizie maizie. I have more than enough strings of color, but, not many neutral. I started these string blocks a couple of years ago. I grab a bag of strings and make a few until the neutrals are gone. Then, I put them away for awhile.  This month, I am intentionally finding larger strips in neutral to make more.

bag of 200

Last week's mini churndash blocks - 3 1/2 inch

7 plus 1

I am linking to:

rsc23 super saturday
oh scrap
wednesday wait loss

crazie mazie

I haven't started a new quilt. I am just cleaning up the odd scraps near my sewing machine. The fact that the little string blocks are the right size for quiltville's newer pattern crazie mazie is purely a coincidence. Sometimes, a girl, just has to make string blocks. The mess, and the need for no thinking sewing combine, and, string blocks are born.

These are quick, cute little 5 inch blocks that use the smallest bits. I have finished a couple of big quilts lately and I am giving myself a reward.

And any pieces that are too much work for the blocks are sewn into a crumb strip

or thrown away ( the horror) 

I feel so contented when I make string blocks and, I am surprised how fast the stack grows. Oh, and I am surprised how big a mess I happily make.

I  am linking to:

midweek makers 

 

wednesday wait loss

My quilt infatuation

Oh scrap

crossed top

I have a top  for crossed strings. It was such an adventure building the blocks, putting the blocks together, and discovering a top. I think at this point, I will call it done and make a back and binding. I was hoping to have a nice day to take photos, but, no.

inside

outside

It was windy and no sunshine. I think the quilt has more color in real life, but, I like the weave. I still have a whole basket of strings.

I'm linking to:

TGIFF

TGIFF different     here  and here

Whoop Whoop

creations

phd 21
peacock party
oh scrap
from bolt to beauty
UFO busting

put your foot down

crossed strings

Making the longer pieces for crossed strings, although challenging to find long enough pieces, is straightforward. sewing and cutting the side pieces takes a bit longer. I was aiming for 48 blocks. Once again, string piecing makes a mess. I grab a handful, and see if I can pull pieces to use out of the pile. 

After the piece is made and white was added, I still needed to cut it in half.

Of course, the best part is seeing all the block variations with all the different leftover bits and pieces from other projects.

sew much fun -free instructions for crossed strings here

I'm linking to:

TGIFF

TGIFF different     here  and here

Whoop Whoop

creations

phd 21
peacock party
oh scrap
from bolt to beauty
UFO busting

put your foot down

courthouse top

I think I have a top for the  wonky courthouse quilt. I went from blocks to top pretty quickly. It is 56 x 72 - is that big enough? This is also the third wonky courthouse I have made, and, none of them have been quilted. But, I have more than enough strings and crumbs to sew many more. I started when I saw that Bonnie Hunter was making one.

I really like making these blocks. There is quick progress, and, it is very soothing to match pieces by the size that is needed. I grab a handful of  crumbs and strings from the basket and try to do as much with them as I can until they are gone. I have my eye on another string quilt pattern......

I'm linking to:

TGIFF

TGIFF different     here  and here

Whoop Whoop

creations

phd 21
peacock party
oh scrap
from bolt to beauty
UFO busting

put your foot down

string geese

Last weekend, I worked at my treadle, and, finished my shirt string piecing. I am working toward Bonnie Hunter's geese on a string quilt in her book string frenzy. After the blocks were finished, I went back to the book, and realized I had made a mistake. In one part, Bonnie says to cut phone book papers 7 1/4 inches. In a different part, she says to cut them diagonally. I didn't read that part, apparently.

I cut them after they were pieced, so all the geese won't have the strips going in one direction. I don't have a problem with wonky geese, I guess. That's better than a redo. I am putting this project away for a little bit, as I have other more pressing priorities.

I am linking:

midweek makers 

boms away 
Oh scrap

I am linking to:

creative compulsions

needle and thread Thursdays

hazel's scraps

I'm afraid I have lost my ability to chat and sew. I pretty much have a determined to get through this face right now. Hubby is recovering, and needs a bit of attention, and, I am tired most of the time. It isn't easy "resting". I am grateful for the timing of his back surgery. It gives us something to do, while we are hearing the news. If his surgery had been any later, It wouldn't have happened. Elective surgeries have been cancelled.

I had a friend from guild give a scrap bag to me. It was full of strings and small pieces and a few larger chunks. She has some interesting fabrics. It has been a welcome distraction to sort through the pieces and pretend what I am going to do with them.

The pile in the upper right corner, are pieces for Bonnie Hunter's blossom time. Anything an odd size, I put in a pile for the spike and valley scrap quilt. The rest I have been sorting into strip sizes.

There were some pieces that were 1 1/4 inches wide and 5 inches long. I started sewing those into string strips. Anything less than 1 1/2 goes into a string bucket.

I am linking:

Monday Making

design wall monday 

oh scrap

instagram frolic

I don't like instagram, but everyone else does. The new quiltville mystery quilt, frolic, will be linking up on instagram instead of blog today. When I look at instagram, I feel like I am looking at someone's vacation slides - boring. There is no substance or information to make it interesting.
I did find myself unmotivated to even start this mystery. This will be my 19th quiltville mystery quilt. I have a page of all of them here. I am glad I broke into it.  I have clue one finished. I had all the blue strips already in the scrap user bins, but, I had to cut the raspberry strips.

I have wonky courthouse steps put together as a top. And I have started another one, since it was so much fun. more about this here and here.

I am linking:

Monday Making

design wall monday 

oh scrap

#frolicmystery

#quiltvillemystery

#mysteryquilt

sand castles

I have been slowly working on bonnie hunter's sandcastles for most of this year. I spent the most time making 512 -4 patch blocks. The first step I took, was sewing the string blocks. I decided that I would cut them now and add the sashing strip.

The pattern calls for cutting 1 inch strips to each triangle. I decided I would do better with a bigger piece. I cut 2 inch strips, and sewed them together, and, then, I cut them in half. I didn't have to match anything since they would be cut apart. And, I have an accuquilt die for 2 inch strips -much easier.

They don't look equal in the photo but they are. I did these at friday group and have half of them ready to go. It was a great project for sewing with friends. No brain power needed.

I am linking:

Monday Making

design wall monday 

Main crush Monday

Oh scrap

courthouse

I really had no intention of starting another "string" project, but, I did want to clean the treadle area from the last one. As I picked up the strings all over the place, I just sort of started sewing them like the new Bonnie Hunter wonky courthouse steps. Oh my, they are fun. She is offering this pattern as a freebie and it is downloadable on her site.

I am making mine really stringy and scrappy with leftovers from the mess I have made "stringing" before this.

I just needed to trim a few to get an idea of the size and look of the block. I do like the wonky part.

I am linking to:

WOW

midweek makers

boms away 
Rainbow scrap challenge

Oh scrap

string quilt

I have been working on this string block quilt for a long time. It was interrupted by my back surgery. I restarted it as soon as I was comfortable to treadle again. So far it has all been done on the treadle.
There are lots of strings in this quilt. I have it to the top stage and need to decide on borders. I am glad to be far enough along that I can clean up the mess. A string quilt tends to be very messy.

It was pumpkin carving time with our Grandchildren last weekend and it was great fun.

I am linking to:

TGIFF

Whoop Whoop

peacock party
oh scrap

UFO busting

lightening and liberty

I have finished a few more blocks for my string block that I am calling lightening. I think I need 4 more blocks and then I will make it a quilt.... or not. But, I have cleaned up the area and even vacuumed, so I am hesitant to start the mess. I swear, the strings just go flying.

My women's group at church had a patriotic themed crafty evening. They said bring your own project if you want. Why not a quilt that I have started and need to finish. Other than my daughter's quilt, this is probably the oldest UFO I have. It is from the early 90s. I think it is called sweet land of liberty. I have several parts of it made. I just need to figure out what I still need to do and start putting it together. Everyone loves a puzzle, right?

I am linking to:

creative compulsions

needle and thread Thursdays

I am linking to:

WOW

midweek makers

Oh Scrap

boms away