Thursday, April 12, 2012

Strings, Orphan Charms, & HSTs


I played with my tiny strings blocks today. Yes, those are 3/4" strips and that tiny corner stone looks lost. I love the look of these blocks - BUT....


Turning 4 blocks into a 4-patch single block. Again, very nice looking - BUT....


This is the back and the reason for the BUT...... How on earth am I going to quilt this? All those seams fold into each other so you have a mass of layers. And the area where the points meet, well a damp pressing cloth and my dress maker's mallet will pound them down. BUT not stitchable! Option - hand tie this baby and have the pliers handy to pull the needle through. Wonder how many needles I will break?? Is this doable? Is this going to weigh a ton? Is this really the plan?

**Linking up with Sew Lux Scrap Attack Strings Quilt Along**


Now this piece soothed my soul. Love the colors even though there are so many orphan charms from so many fabric lines. Some became bricks, some became HSTs. Can you pick them out? And the lites are a variety of fabric lines, too. And the border is a left-over trim from squaring up a quilt back.


I played with three different border treatments before I went with the applique leaves (cut from charms), tiny yo-yo's (made from charms-quartered), and buttons. And in keeping with the 3 - used three different color quilting threads - well, I like to use two strands of floss to quilt with.


Binding is a mix of orphan charms, keeping with the blend of the quilt. I used an old "Tuscany Collection" fabric for the back. This doll quilt measures 18" x 22" and I just loved working on this.

**Linking up with :
Sew Lux Stitch & Share Charm Challenge
Canoe Ridge Creations Festival of Half Square Triangles
PatchWork Times April Color Palette Challenge
Whoop It Up Friday with Sarah

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

23 comments:

Vesuviusmama said...

I understand your hesitation about quilting that first one - a hand quilter's nightmare even though it is fun to look at. That bottom one is lovely - soothing is a good way to describe it.

Cheryl said...

Yes your strings will be a challenge to quilt...but it sure is wonderful!! Love the tone of your other quilt..once again wonderful!! You continue to inspire me :-)!!!

Jen said...

That kind of foresight is what makes you a "quilter" and me an amateur! Love your little quilt! That speaks to my soul, too! Definitely my "flavor"!

Anonymous said...

Sharon i love your orphan charm quilt its gorgeous and well done with your strips quilt,beautiful colours.xx

Sheila said...

Oh my. I do like your tiny string blocks, but I understand the quilting challenges for all those layers and seams.
Yep. The muted colors in the second quilt soothes the soul.

Missy Shay said...

Bonnie Hunter makes string quilts, you might want to check out her blog for ideas.

Kat said...

I love the look of string blocks but I still haven't tried any, for fear of how to connect the blocks and quilt through all those layers. Looking forward to seeing what works for you so maybe I can get brave myself!

The second quilt is really beautiful. Those colors blend so nicely. Definitely soothing.

Kat said...

I love the look of string blocks but I still haven't tried any, for fear of how to connect the blocks and quilt through all those layers. Looking forward to seeing what works for you so maybe I can get brave myself!

The second quilt is really beautiful. Those colors blend so nicely. Definitely soothing.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a beautiful little quilt, love the colors in it! I don't know how you are going to quilt the strings.....lots and lots of seams!

Pattilou said...

I can see why that little quilt soothes your soul. It has all the qualities to do that. BEAUTIFUL!

Needled Mom said...

Quilting that is definitely going to be challenging. Yikes!

I love the soft colors in the quilt. It is very soothing.

Michelle said...

Love the HST's!

Sue Daurio said...

3/4 inch strings - my my my!! It is very lovely though. And you Orphan Charms is indeed soothing. I felt my shoulders go down as soon as I saw that one :)

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

You could use straight line stitching in the middle of some of the strings. Work in one block at a time.

JudyCinNC said...

I love to just play with blocks occassionally - takes the stress level down. Have a wonderful weekend. Judy C

Cheryll said...

Having never made anything similar to your string block quilt I would never have realised that about the quilting.. but you are correct. I hope you have gloves handy too... Oh your poor hands pulling a needle thru that. It will will wonderful I'm sure knowing your talent! Good luck ! :)

Lesley said...

Your string blocks are beautiful, but you may have to be strong to pull the thread through. But I know you can do it! Also love that second quilt...very peaceful.

Michele said...

Your hand quilting is just beautiful!

Sarah Craig said...

As always, your pieces are beautiful!! I can't imagine how you will quilt that string block piece - good luck! Whoop whoop!!

Miki Willa said...

Both quilts are wonderful. I really like the orphan charm quilt. It is very beautiful.

rubyslipperz1052 said...

You really made the strip quilt FUN to "watch"...it's got a moving/dancing quality.

I am amazed that the last one is scrappy...it isn't busy like so many scrappy ones are.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos.

hugZ,
annie

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

The bottom quilt soothes my soul too. The thought of quilting the string quilt makes me tired. hee,hee,hee.

Sinta Renee said...

Love the scrappy quilt!