Strings! Strings! project(s) in process

This picture was shown on March 31, when I gave my March strings report. 

If you've been reading this blog for a month or so, you know that I have something like 4 (large!) bags of strings/crumbs.

Well, I've decided that they aren't going to get used up if I don't use them up. However, strings and crumbs are VERY SLOW to work with.  In fact, so slow, you don't get much done in a couple hour sewing session. I could spend a whole week of serious piecing and still not have enough blocks for a quilt (probably)!

So, I've decided each weekend, if at all possible, to spend some time and make some strings blocks and to try to make a dent in in my bags. I'm also going to make a quilt that I've seen others make. I'll show you that after I get a few more blocks made.  I'm considering working on this top "as I go" - not a QAYG, but just a construct as I go top. Usually I finish all my blocks for a quilt and then make it. I may make this one differently - go ahead and make the top from the string blocks I create "as I go".

The charm of these is that they don't have to be perfect - in fact, my strings are often not perfect - that's what got them thrown into the strings pile to begin with. But if you look at the picture just below, you can see that it is still quite possible to get a nice block out of it.

In case some of you reading this have no idea what I'm even talking about - I'm talking about making something like this - from various and sundry strings of various widths - but the idea is - skinny or irregular pieces that are too small to cut up further.  

You are "making fabric". After a chunk of it is made, then it needs to be cut into something. As of right now I'm being really simple and making squares.

But I'm thinking about pulling out the Sizzix and trying a fancy shape or two with it. How would string butterflies look? circles? gingerbread men? apple cores? tumblers?

Here are the blocks I've gotten done in two major sessions over the last two weekends.  I am not sure I can get this much done each weekend session, but we'll see.

These are just my pictures of the strings blocks I've completed.  Crumbs are going even more slowly. These are 6.5" and 3.5" blocks.  I have 27 of the 6.5" and 77 of the smaller ones.

Then, because I am going to stretch this project out quite a while, I'm keeping it all together in a tough shopping bag. This holds the trimmed pieces, both 6.5" and 3.5" squares and some other various pieces and scraps that I'm unsure what to do with so far.  For this first quilt I'm just going to use the 6.5" squares - the 3.5" will be for a different project that I have planned out in the Electric Quilt program.

Let me go on to say that I'm not totally enthralled with strings. I know that many really love them. I want to use them because I have them but not because I just can't wait to dig into them.

Maybe I'll change my mind after I work with them for a while--that does happen sometimes.

In the bottom of this big bag are the various cut offs from the blocks I've gotten so far.  The Walgreens prescription bag (from my dad's asthma medicine) holds some other smaller strips I've not pictured - since they are 2" wide by various lengths - not sure what to do wtih them, but something's brewing in my mind.

I must admit that the idea of using the SIzzix and cutting them into interesting shapes does have me intrigued. I'd like to try it. Circles, and butterflies?

They sound interesting. I made try it this weekend, in fact.  I first have to make up quite a few "fabric chunks." I'll keep you posted on this ongoing project when I think there's enough to update you with.

To help speed up this tedious piecing, I'm using my speedy Janome 1600 - it goes a max of 1600 stitches per minute. It really does make a difference.

While you are here, be sure to check out what my sister has for you ! Feel free to browse the site for inspiration.