a string quilt block tutorial – paper pieced method
I’m so blown away by all the wonderful comments on my string quilt, now aptly named ‘Kaleidoscope’ (many thanks to Kerri who was the first to suggest it, followed by 9 others of you who had the same thought!) I think it’s just perfect.
And now, a quick tutorial – I had a few requests for a tutorial on making this type of quilt, so I figured I’d oblige (it’s the least I can do, right?). This shows the paper piecing method, which is my preferred method.
To start, you’ll want to decide on the size of your blocks. For the Kaleidoscope quilt, my blocks were 11″ square. In this tutorial, I’m using 7″ square blocks. I use cheap copy paper, but you could use anything you have on hand – I’ve heard pages from phone books work! – just as long as it’s not a heavyweight paper.
Cut squares of your desired size from the copy paper and set aside.
Decide on your fabrics and cut strips of a variety of widths. I cut strips of 1″ – 2.5″. I like the way it looks with a variety of widths, but you could also cut strips all the same width if you’d prefer. Set these aside.
I wanted to have a small strip of white separate the squares in my quilt, so I cut 1″ strips of a solid white fabric. You could opt for any other solid color – I used green in this baby quilt, or you could use one patterned fabric to tie everything together, or you could skip it completely.
Next we’ll temporarily attach the white strips to the paper squares. With the fabric right side up, lay the strip diagonally on the block. I use a little glue from a glue stick to dab on the back of the fabric strip so it will stick to the paper. You want to make sure that each strip is centered on the diagonal so that your strips will line up with you sew the blocks together. I eyeball mine (’cause I’m lazy!) but you may want to use a ruler and draw a pencil line through the diagonal to help with placement.
Now you can start sewing on your fabric strips! The first strip should be long enough to cover the section of paper right next to the piece glued on the diagonal. You’ll lay your first strip right side down on top of the strip glued to the block.
(please ignore my wrinkly fabric! I’m not much for ironing!)
Align the edges and sew with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Very important: be sure to reduce your stitch length! This will allow you to easily remove the paper from the back later. My machine is typically set at 2.5 – I’ve found that reducing it to 1.5 works well.
Sew along this edge (right through the paper), then iron open with a dry iron. (some may want to skip the ironing, and just finger press – that’s up to you).
Repeat this process, aligning another strip to the strip you just attached, again, right sides together.
Iron open and repeat until you’ve covered the entire paper square. It will look something like this.
Now you can flip the square over so you can see the paper square on the back. Using your clear ruler and rotary cutter, trim the excess fabric, using the paper square as a guide.
And now you’ve completed your first block! I leave the paper on my blocks until I have them all completed.
Repeat for all your paper squares. Then you can arrange them as you like -
When you have your blocks completed, you’ll want to remove the paper from the back. If you’ve reduced the stitch length, the paper should appear almost perferated. I fold the paper along the stitch line and then tear away.
Sew your blocks together and admire your lovely quilt top!
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Kaleidoscope – a colorful string quilt
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baby wonderland
164 Responses to a string quilt block tutorial – paper pieced method
Thanks for the tutorial! Bookmarky bookmarky. I really think that white stripe in the middle is what makes your quilt great. I mentioned before that I tend to not like string quilts but your Kaleidoscope is just gorgeous.
Love your color combinations. What a great tutorial! I wondered how paper piecing was done. Thanks =)
I agree with Mal. The white stripe is like the whipped cream on top of the banana split–perfect. Thanks for the tutorial.
Thank you so much for this tutorial, I never understood what the point of the paper piecing was. It really makes everything line up I see. I really want to give this a try! Your Kaleidoscope quilt is just lovely, like all your wonderful quilts! Did you ever think about starting your own Etsy shop?! You’re amazing handmades would be a sure hit! =D
Thanks for the tutotial, I’ve heard of using muslin on the back, like this better. Love your work!
Thanks!
Thanks for that!! Great job. I think I’m going to give this a try!:)
Thank you thank you thank you! I have looked at every tutorial I could find and paper piecing never clicked until yours. Great pictures, too, as usual
And Kaleidoscope couldn’t be a more perfect name!
Thanks so much for the tutorial! I can’t wait to try it.
Thanks for the tutorial! I was wondering why people use this method. I need all the help I can get lining things up!
oh yeah!!!
I love alllllllll your quilts, and this one is beyond cool!
thanks for posting this!!
Thanks for the tutorial! I couldn’t work out how you perfectly centered the white… I love your quilt – beautiful!!!
Wondering about the white too? Amazing quilt and another to add to the list.
Thanx for this. I’m thinking I might actually make one of these because it’s kinda mindless sewing. And I loved reading your directions…I think we’re similar “relaxed” quilters.
I was surprised to find myself reading this intently like I might actually do it…and now I’m surprised to be admitting this to you! Impressed that you may have converted me? Well, you should be.
Oh thank you! I’ve been sitting here for days wondering, how did she do that?
And now I know! Thanks again!!
I was also curious to know how you made something so beautiful – thanks for sharing your technique. Your directions are so clear and straightforward. I may have to give something like this a try. I also really like the idea of sewing with paper!
Thank you soooo much for your tuto!!!
thank you for the tutorial!!
beautiful! And it makes so much sense! I KNEW I was saving my scraps from some good reason…
Can I just say that I have read about 5 tutorials on how to do this and this is the very first time it made any sense? Thanks for that!
Thank you for the tutorial. Your blocks love gorgeous, they colourswork perfectly together.
I like this one, very pretty! I’m all about cramming as many different fabrics in as I can, I can never discriminate! I’ll be linking.
Thank you Thank you! An easy tutorial for a great scrap user!
Thank you for the tutorial, I love love love this quilt. Its on my quilting to do list next.
I love paper piecing and do most of my patching / quilt tops this