H. W. Rose - Quilting with Strips and Strings

. Sewing strips together; different combinations.

. Squaring off a a pieced strip: Fold the left side edge on the diagonal so it is even with top edge of pieced strip; mark vertical line along right edge, then cut out on marked line.

Following , square off the pieced strip by folding the fabric edge on the diagonal as shown. Mark the right edge of the diagonally folded fabric, then cut along the vertical line, forming a square block. Use this square as a pattern to cut the rest of the squares. Strips of any width and number can be sewn together and squared off by this method. Assemble the squares into a random design or into one of the traditional designs on the following pages.

London Stairs

Block Size: 4 square.

This easiest of patchwork patterns is made from two strips of fabric, one light and one dark, each 2 wide. Sew one light and one dark strip together, then square off and cut into blocks. Alternate the vertical and horizontal placement of the blocks to form a zigzag design as shown.

LONDON STAIRS

Basket Weave

Block Size: 6 square.

Basket Weaue is made from two contrasting fabrics that are cut into 2-wide strips and then sewn into groups of three. Group A should have a light fabric in the center, bordered on each side by a strip of dark fabric; group B should have a dark fabric in the center, bordered on each side by a strip of light fabric. Sew the three strips together forming equal amounts of group A and group B, then square off and cut into blocks. Following the illustration, arrange the blocks to form a basket weave design, alternating group A and group B as shown.

BASKET WEAVE

GROUP A

GROUP B

Roman Stripe

Block Size: 6 square.

This design is also known as Spirit of St. Louis or Interlocked Squares and can be made from assorted fabrics cut in 2-wide strips; the design will have greater unity if the prints harmonize, or if all of the fabrics are in harmonizing colors. Sew three strips together in random color arrangements, then square off and cut into blocks. Alternate the vertical and horizontal placement of the blocks to form the design shown.

ROMAN STRIPE

Five Stripe

Block Size: 7 square.

This design is created by cutting three different prints and two different solids into 2-wide strips. Sew the strips together, alternating solids and prints as shown in the Five Stripe Diagram. Cut into blocks; assemble the blocks following the photograph.

Five Stripe Diagram. Marking and cutting blocks.

RAIL FENCE

Rail Fence Quilting Suggestion

Rail Fence

Block Size: 11 square.

Rail Fence can be achieved by sewing four strips together, each 3 wide, using the same bold but coordinating fabric on the outside each time. Square off the pieced strip and cut into blocks. When assembling the blocks, alternate the vertical and horizontal placement, arranging the bold strip to form a Rail Fence zigzag design as shown. Follow the quilting suggestion for a lovely geometric effect.

STRIP PIECING TO FORM BRICKWORK DESIGNS

Sew wide strips of fabric together in alternating color and print combinations. Strips should measure from 3 to 7 wide; the width of the strips will dictate the width of each brick. Press the seams to one side. Using a yardstick and pencil, rule across the pieced fabric the desired height of the bricks as shown in ; a good rule of thumb is that the height should be about half the width of the bricks. This height measurement should also include an extra for seam allowances. Cut along the ruled lines as shown. Following the sample designs, rearrange the strips in the desired pattern, then sew together, making seams.

. Marking and cutting bricks.