Scrappy, Wonky strings I spy quilt. Finally!
My First sewing project
red String squares after I chopped them in halfI impulsively bought my first sewing machine late one night after browsing page after page of I spy quilts on Pinterest.
I was determined to make one as soon as possible for my son..
While I waited for amazon to bring my new machine, I pored through pictures of quilts. I was looking for the perfect pattern.
To be an effective I spy, the patchwork pieces only need to be big enough pieces to allow viewing of the large-scale novelty prints. I could choose any pattern with good sized patchwork to make my I spy.
I did not go the standard 4 or 9 patch route. I decided I would attempt a string quilt for this project. The strings were large enough to allow the novelty prints to be visible. I loved this pattern would allow me to include so many fabrics. This quilt would have new fabric to notice for years.
I was determined to make one as soon as possible for my son..
While I waited for amazon to bring my new machine, I pored through pictures of quilts. I was looking for the perfect pattern.
To be an effective I spy, the patchwork pieces only need to be big enough pieces to allow viewing of the large-scale novelty prints. I could choose any pattern with good sized patchwork to make my I spy.
I did not go the standard 4 or 9 patch route. I decided I would attempt a string quilt for this project. The strings were large enough to allow the novelty prints to be visible. I loved this pattern would allow me to include so many fabrics. This quilt would have new fabric to notice for years.
How to make the squares
string blocks before I cut them in halfI would piece my string blocks onto a backing of either paper or fabric. The foundation makes it so much easier to maintain the desired square shape when working with so many fussy stringy scraps.
My ideal foundation would come pre-cut in squares, would be sturdy enough to withstand sewing and storing my blocks, would not damage my new sewing machine, and would be affordable.
I considered multiple options, including hamburger patty paper, but settled on using tear away embroidery stabiliser in pre-cut 6 inch squares.
My ideal foundation would come pre-cut in squares, would be sturdy enough to withstand sewing and storing my blocks, would not damage my new sewing machine, and would be affordable.
I considered multiple options, including hamburger patty paper, but settled on using tear away embroidery stabiliser in pre-cut 6 inch squares.
The stabilizer was a perfect foundation backing for this pattern. It does not work for other paper piecing patterns where the paper needs to be transparent. This is opaque. The only downside for me was that it was pricey. I would not use it again because of the cost and I have more confidence that I could now accurately cut out the squares myself with a ruler and rotary cutter. If I were to make a string quilt again, I would cut squares out of scrap printer paper. Repurposing my scrap paper would have worked as well as the pricey stabilizer I purchased. i falways feel better about using something I already have, especially if i use something that would otherwise be thrown away.
choosing a layout
This medalliion style , radiating rainbow would have been my top choice but for th efact thst I would havr had to make more string squares in greens and blues to acheive my desired effect. I was unwilling to go back and start sewing blocks again and this idea was put asside. I will not give detailed instructions for string quilts. The internet is full of instructions for string quilts already. If you want a detailed pattern, this is the place to look. I did not create this pattern or come up with the idea. I adapted what I saw online to make it my own.
I will share some layouts I considered using. There are so many ways to arrange the striped squares. I cut my striped string squares into two triangles each. The endless number of layout possibilities makes string quilts particularly customizable.
To be honest... I did not intend the string quilt to be “wonky”. I didn't know how much work was involved in sewing this project or accuracy needed to sew precisely. I was, at that point, unaware of how very uninterested I am in that type of precision piecing, cutting, measuring, etc. Getting started on my string squares was so much fun, I spent many hours trimming strips of fabric with scissors and gleefully sewing up my string I SPY squares. Pausing the fun so that I could measure was not on my mind. I cut with scissors and pieced strips into my stabilizer squares as my mood struck. It was not until much later that I realized my freewheeling, improv quilt piecing style would not result in strings that lined up to make perfect diamonds for my quilt.
I will share some layouts I considered using. There are so many ways to arrange the striped squares. I cut my striped string squares into two triangles each. The endless number of layout possibilities makes string quilts particularly customizable.
To be honest... I did not intend the string quilt to be “wonky”. I didn't know how much work was involved in sewing this project or accuracy needed to sew precisely. I was, at that point, unaware of how very uninterested I am in that type of precision piecing, cutting, measuring, etc. Getting started on my string squares was so much fun, I spent many hours trimming strips of fabric with scissors and gleefully sewing up my string I SPY squares. Pausing the fun so that I could measure was not on my mind. I cut with scissors and pieced strips into my stabilizer squares as my mood struck. It was not until much later that I realized my freewheeling, improv quilt piecing style would not result in strings that lined up to make perfect diamonds for my quilt.
I considered multiple layout variations. I liked both the elongated hexagons and rainbow stripes, but ultimately decided on simple one color wonky squares with a large scrappy low volume background
One decision I made that I later came to regret was cutting my 6 inch string squares into two triangles each. it made a lot of extra work and added to an already chaotic sewing room. I would not do this again even though it was the only way I could have made the final block arrangement that I decided on t for this quilt.
THe PROBLEMS WITH THE BACK
This quilt has about 4 layers of backing. I kept feeling unsatisfied with the appearance and adding more to it. This is one blanket that will not wear out. Even if the back fabric wore all the way through, there are three or so more layers of fabric before the batting would be seen.
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I wanted a heavy warm blanket and I started with one layer of wool batting. The loft seemed to me to be inadequate, so I added a second layer of cotton batting. I was successful in my quest for a heavy blanket. Too successful. I had it as a bedspread on my son’s bed, but it was too heavy for him to sleep under. It weighs so much that he cannot lift the thing and finds it impossible to make his bed. I did not realize how heavy seemingly light layers of soft fabric could become so quickly
The original back for this quilt. I so wish I had stopped adding to my quilt at this point Originally, my idea was to have a greyish blue fabric that had randomly placed crumb squares made from my scraps leftover from making the string squares from this quilt. I thought that it looked so boring and I started adding to it right on top of what I already had. Adding more patches of crumb squares, more pieces of fabric, and even applique animals cut from my Eric Carle fabric. I really regret not keeping the backing that I had originally planned. I look at the picture and I think it looks so much nicer than what I ended up with. The blanket is now a mess. I'm not happy with the result and it is too heavy to be used as I originally intended. I have to learn to stop myself when I feel like something is too boring. I an always happiest and most proud of the things I have made that are the simplest. My style is actually pretty austere, I don't know why I always want to add more to anything I make. I end up regretting the decision every single time.
This original backing is still on my blanket. I could have it back if only I removed the four or five layers of fabric that were sewn on top of it.
This original backing is still on my blanket. I could have it back if only I removed the four or five layers of fabric that were sewn on top of it.
quilting
Istarted quilting with the intention of sewing a wonky freestyle grid pattern allover the blanket. You can still see some of my grid.
It is only partially obscured by my ill fated adventure with decorative sewing machine stitches.
Also distracting are the lines from when I stubbornly added piece after piece to the back which I sewed on "quilt as you go style"
It is only partially obscured by my ill fated adventure with decorative sewing machine stitches.
Also distracting are the lines from when I stubbornly added piece after piece to the back which I sewed on "quilt as you go style"
Decorative Stitching??
It was my first experience quilting anything and I did not yet know that I would experience issues that required a great deal of my quilting stitches to be ripped out and resewn. I learned that the pretty, decorative stitches on my machine were nearly impossible to remove with my seam ripper.
I found the process so frustrating that I gave up on a few areas. In some places I tried to hide the stitches by sewing a patch of fabric over the top and in some areas, where the patch did not work, I simply left the stitches as they were, hoping they were not too noticeable.
Funny thing is, I still find the quantity of decorative stitches to be a major selling point when purchasing a new sewing machine. I want as many stitches as possible, despite the fact that I have never been able to find a use for anything besides the straight and the zig zag stitch.
I found the process so frustrating that I gave up on a few areas. In some places I tried to hide the stitches by sewing a patch of fabric over the top and in some areas, where the patch did not work, I simply left the stitches as they were, hoping they were not too noticeable.
Funny thing is, I still find the quantity of decorative stitches to be a major selling point when purchasing a new sewing machine. I want as many stitches as possible, despite the fact that I have never been able to find a use for anything besides the straight and the zig zag stitch.
It goes without saying that I would have made different decisions if I knew then what I know now. I will say that the quilt I made is extraordinarily sturdy. I believe this quilt will last longer than anything else I have ever made. I do not know how we could ever wear it out. It may even be bulletproof. I think I will be reminded of my mistakes for a very long time.
MAKING THE BEST OF IT
I thought that it would make a great picnic blanket, and it does. This blanket will not be blowing away on a windy afternoon and its multiple layers smooth over any rocks or lumps that may be o the ground underneath. Perfect, but for one issue. No one would ever want to carry this thing to any kind of secluded location. If I had a backyard, I may use it as an outside blanket, but being as I live in a city and anyplace I may want to picnic is a hike from the closest road, it will not be my new outside blanket.
I use the quilt instead as a rug/ play mat. It gets tossed onto the floor under wooden train tracks and is used as a mat under sleeping bags if there are children spending the night. We lay on it if we watch a movie together or to read a book.
I use the quilt instead as a rug/ play mat. It gets tossed onto the floor under wooden train tracks and is used as a mat under sleeping bags if there are children spending the night. We lay on it if we watch a movie together or to read a book.
IN CONCLUSION
I have waited nearly a year since completion to share this rundown of the hot mess I made of my first sewing project publicly. I was embarrassed and don't want to lose all credibility. I have decided finally to share my process in making this project for a few reasons. First, despite the disappointment I felt about the finished result, I LOVED sewing this blanket f or my son. Putting the squares together and running them through my sewing machine was the most relaxing and satisfying thing that I can ever remember doing. I am not someone who enjoys following a strict pattern or precise measuring (as you may have noticed), I never realized that sewing could be so improvisational. I wanted to do nothing but sew string squares for months. I would race to return to my project the moment I returned home.. This project may seem like a disaster, but all was not lost. My son actually loves it, he is still discovering tiny pieces of fabric he never noticed before. Since completion, I have been sewing non stop. I have half a dozen projects going at any time and I just cant sew fast enough to make all the ideas in my head materialize . I am happy to report that my skill level has much improved. I am glad to have gotten so many mistakes out of my way, all at once on my first quilt.
There are some nice things I can say about what I made. I loved the scrappy background fabric, I loved the rainbow spectrum of colors, the low volume borders, and the adorable novelty fabric. I felt a twinge of regret, wishing that my quilt was more presentable, until I remembered something…. in preparation for the making of this quilt, I somehow ended up purchasing enough fabric to make this project five times over. So if I ever want to make a new and improved version, I already have everything I need to make it happen.
