Workshop Title: Stash Busting String Quilts
Taught by: Stephanie Alexander
Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Time: To Be Determined
Cost: $15
Where: To Be Determined

Acrobat Version of the supply list

Supply List

12” or 12 ½” square ruler
6 ½ X 24 ruler if you need to cut yardage
4 X 12 (4 ½ X 12 1/2) ruler will be helpful but not mandatory
Rotary cutter with new blade for fabric and trimming
Cutting mat 18 X 24 or larger
A rotary cutting mat will make squaring up easier, helpful but not mandatory
One of the stabilizers mentioned below
Pins
Scissors
Template plastic or something to make a template with. Old cutting mats make great templates.
Pen & paper for note taking and/or your cell phone to photograph the steps
Basic sewing supplies to include your machine and the power cord
It is a good idea to bring a cord reel or extension cord.

2 ½ yards of fabric for star points. You can make scrappy fabric stars as long as your fabric is the same value. A dark or light fabric will work for your star points.

Scraps, scraps and more scraps, in 1”, 1 ¼” and 1 ½” widths. Cut a few ¾” strips for more interest. Light, medium or dark, large or small prints, geometric, floral, stripes, everything goes. It is not necessary to cut all of your fabric at once. Consider swapping scraps with classmates. You do not need to cut all of your strips prior to class. If you have some already in your scrap bin, bring them. The great thing about string quilts is that your strips do not need to be accurate. They might be 1” on one end and taper down to ½” at the other end.

String quilts present a great opportunity to use what I call ugly thread. Anything goes because you will be sewing so many different colors. Now is a chance to use up all those half-filled bobbins.

Stabilizer for backing. Dixie Kabnet Wax Deli paper (Sam’s Club, $14.28 for two 1,000 sheet boxes); muslin, or 6 1/2′ yards no-show mesh stabilizer (brand name Sheer Delight.) You will need 7 1/2” square stabilizer blocks for this quilt. (If you use Sheer Delight, it is 30 inches wide which will yield you four blocks across.)

5 yards for backing. The backing is not needed for class. You can purchase this later. Consider piecing your backing with scrap yardage.

7/8 yard for binding. For added interest, use excess binding from other quilts and stitch them together for an even scrappier finish. Not needed for class.

I will provide the template for the star points. Recommend you re-cut this with template plastic.

If you sew on paper stabilizer this will dull your needle more quickly. It is a good idea to use a larger needle and change it frequently.

Pluses and minuses of different stabilizers. Paper backings need to be removed from your quilt top at some point. This is a very inexpensive way to foundation piece string quilts but it can be time consuming and the paper will make a lot of ‘dust’ when you remove it. Muslin is a good choice but it will add extra weight to your top. If you use muslin, suggest you wash it first to preclude any future issues with shrinkage. I currently use and recommend Sheer Delight (Approx $3.00 per yard). It doesn’t need to be removed or add extra weight. Fusibles and interfacings are not recommended as stabilizers. Try different products and use what you like.

One Loose Thread and Pieces & Patches Quilt Shop stock Sheer Delight. Contact Joyce Greer by email 630P@Bellsouth.net  to order from One Loose Thread or Pieces & Patches by phone 803/359-3442 or email Shirley.piecesandpatches@gmail.com. If you order from Joyce Greer, I can bring your order to class and save the mailing expense.

 

 

 

Version One 72 X 84

Students have the option of an alternate design during the same class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Version Two        66 X 66

Version two also requires 2 ½ yards for the star points and border.  Note, version two is smaller than version one.  If you want to increase the size, you will need additional yardage.  The diamonds, blue in this quilt, require ½ yard of fabric.

Version two is made with a specific color of scraps, creams and pinks.  Students have the flexibility to use specific colors or make it scrappy like version one.

Please feel free to  email me with any questions.

Stephanie Alexander
SALEXA1636@AOL.COM

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