100 Quilts for Kids QA: Assembling the String Blocks

Today is the third of seven (I added one) posts for the 100 Quilts for Kids Quilt Along. If you missed the first two posts, you can find them here: Quilt Along Introduction & Materials + Cutting Instructions.

I have three goals for this Quilt Along: 1. Have fun  2. Don’t think (too much) while sewing. 3. Donate your quilt!  Totally achievable, right? That’s what summer sewing is all about


Be sure to include your progress shots in the 100 Quilts for Kids Flickr Group. 

Assembling the String Blocks:
1. Reduce the stitch length on your sewing machine.  You want the stitches to perforate the paper, making it easy to remove later. [I change my stitch from a 2 to just above a 1 on my Bernina]
2. Set up the iron near your sewing machine.  I lower my ironing board so I can easily press blocks without getting up from my seat.  (See that awesome ALEX Ikea cart with shallow drawers underneath my sewing table? I got one after visiting my sister-in-law and mother-in-law and discovering just how awesome it is.  I just learned they made the top of theirs into an ironing station. Brilliant. I’m totally copying.)

3. Organize (or at least lay out) your string blocks.  Add in solids (or tone on tone prints, like those on the left) if desired.

4. Place center string (face up) diagonally across paper. Use a glue stick or pins to adhere the center string to the paper. 

5. Place the next string face down, lining up the right sides. Stitch along the diagonal as shown above, using a 1/4” seam allowance. Open and press seam. [Note: I like placing solids/nearly solids on either side of the white center string, but that is just a personal preference].


6.  Repeat step 5 until you have covered the right side of your block with strings.  

7. Repeat process for left side of the block–place first string face down, lining up left sides. Sew 1/4” seam allowance on left side, open and press. Repeat until block is covered with strings. 

8. Turn block over. Trim around paper–block should end up 18” or 12” square, depending on which size block you are making. This one is 18” square. 

9. Repeat process, making 3 or 7 more blocks, depending on how many blocks you want total. 

Note: I made these blocks without pre-arranging my strips. However, I strategically placed some colors/prints in the final 2 string blocks to make sure all four blocks looked good together. You don’t have to do this–the beauty of string blocks is that “random” always looks good.

10. Turn blocks over, crease paper, and tear off each strip.  This is a great task for kids, roommates, or significant others, who I am sure are always dying to help you sew. I keep a garbage bowl (a la Rachael Ray) nearby for the paper strips. 

There are 2 weeks before the next Quilt Along post–Happy sewing! (And grab the button for your blog, if you would like!)

Quilt Along Schedule
Sunday, July 15: Quilt Along Introduction + Giveaway