I have spent part of the month trying to do some cleaning in my sewing room. That has led me to access what I have in my room as far as fabric goes and what I need to use up. Strips and strings were HIGH on the list of things that needed to get used. I have other things I am going to take care of first but I wanted to have some ideas in place so that once I get a few more UFO projects done, I can think about something else.
That lead me down a rabbit hole looking for some ideas of quilts to make that use strings….and that lead me to Evelyn Sloppy’s book Strips and Strings.
The book was published back in 2011 so some of the fabrics are dated but that’s totally okay with me. It gives me inspiration on how to use some of my dated fabrics…or inspires me to try something with my other fabrics.
Another thing I loved about this book is that the patterns aren’t “hard” and most are totally guy-friendly. I adore the quilt you see below. It’s a perfect guy quilt.
I like this one too. I have tons of… reproduction prints that would look good with this.
Of course, I love this one…it has red!! Again, my reproduction strings would shine with this. But, I can also see it modern…white background, colorful stripes, and blue stars. There are so many options. I think it would make a great Quilt of Valor if the colors were changed around…maybe only use a variety of blues for the strips.
The same goes for this one…again I love the red and my reproduction prints. But also, change the background to blue and use red and white strips. That would make a great quilt!! So many possibilities!!
To change things up, I love the idea of making diamond units. That would use up some of the smaller strips. YES! I love it.
I love this idea. I don’t know that I would do it in those colors…but I love the idea of piecing strings together and then making a Drunkard’s Path quilt. Great idea!!
This one is the cover quilt. I can totally see this done in batiks. The pictures washed out. Sorry about that.
I found the book to be very inspiring for me!! So fun to page through and make plans that I will likely never get to. I think we all do that now and then.
You can find the book HERE if you’re interested. This book was published back in 2011so there are LOTS of used copies available. I bought mine for about $9 shipping included. I also highly recommend Evelyn’s other book 40 Fabulous Quick-Cut Quilts. It’s a favorite in my reference library of quilt books.
For now, I’m just paging through and dreaming…but someday I can hopefully get to one of these quilts!!
Did you see that humane society rescued 4,000 beagles from a test facility in Virginia. Going to shelters. Sounded like something that you would be interested in.
I did. I put myself on a foster list if any of the beagles get to my area.
Some interesting quilts. Thanks for sharing the book and seeing some new ideas for string quilts. Oh to tackle my scraps!
Lol, speaking of quilt books….I just sent you an email about your quilt in Pieced Flower Quilts. I’m not able to get the zinnia block to work using the measurements given in the book. I forgot to mention that when I watched your YouTube video on the zinnia block, I saw that your block did not look like mine. So, this is a head’s up for when you come across that random email. Some days I’m probably better off crosstitching…
Okay, you’re speedy! I should’ve checked my email. I tried reducing the 2 inch corner blocks down to 1.5…. that does leave a space between the corners, so I may go that route. I was studying the video and trying to guess the measurements by comparing to the grid. I have the same sew so easy. I’m guessing you’re okay with me doing a bit of improv with your design!
I have made 3 plaid obsession quilts and I must say I LOVE that pattern! I use my strings from shirts to make them and they are all beautiful. Can’t wait to see what you come up with as you really have an eye for color.
Thank you! I started Plaid Obsession a few years ago after seeing it on Pinterest and it led to a wild goose chase trying to find the pattern, so I winged it. Ordering the book now.
I bought that book a few years ago for the Plaid Obsession quilt pattern. Have I made it yet? Nope. Still love it.
Such an odd coincidence! That very first quilt is on my bed right now! I couldn’t remember where I got the idea for it but now you reminded me! I made several from that book and I think donated it to my local library when I moved. You can’t go wrong with an Evelyn Sloppy book.
I agree. I would love to make every quilt she designs. My copy of this book is almost worn out.
I recently bought a black background bird print fabric (Birdwatch by Figo) that I love. Pulled fabrics to go with, really want to use this soon. I’ve never made a quilt with a “focus fabric”—not easy it turns out. Your post makes me wonder about using it as a background for one of these. Hmmm.
I have that book. Love the patterns. Need to work on my strings but not for awhile. Have 2 quilts I want to put in our guild quilt show by oct. still piecing them.