MaryQuilts.com: Solid Stars and Strings

Solid Stars and Strings

I’m not writing up a complete set of instructions but will share some information about my Solid Stars and Strings quilt that I’ve just started. It’s based on an antique quilt I saw a while back that caught my eye.

Here is my finished top. I decided to go with 12 blocks and no border which makes a nice size lap quilt (48 x 64) for donation.

Here’s my original EQ7 drawing which does have borders.

Inner border would be cut 1.5 inches

Outer piano key border would have strips of various widths and be trimmed to 5.5 inches

Quilt size would be 61 x 77

For each block, I cut 4 solid squares 8.5 inches. Star blocks will finish at 16 inches (16.5 with seam allowances)

I mark two fabric placement lines on the squares 3 inches in from the top left corner to about 1/4 inch from the bottom right corner. I just use my mat to line up my ruler, I don’t worry about being exact.

I use a pen to mark the lines so they’re easy to see – they’ll be covered by the first string.

The first string is placed face down against either line and sewn with 1/4 seam as usual.

Continue adding strings on both sides, pressing between each round until the foundation is covered. I trim these from the back, lining my ruler up in the top left corner where there are no strings.

My foundation square pulled up a little with sewing but I’m going to square to 8.5 inches NOT to the foundation square. If you wanted to you could start with a larger foundation but I just made sure my strings extended about a 1/2 inch beyond my foundation so that when I trimmed my block I would have a full 8.5 inches even if the foundation pulled up.

Sew 4 blocks together to form the star as shown in the quilt diagram at the top of the page. Press seams open to decrease bulk. This is really important because when you start assembling the top – there’s a LOT of bulk where the points of the stars come together.

Piece all 12 stars and then assemble top as shown in photo above – three blocks across and four blocks down. Add borders if desired. Quilt can be made larger by adding either borders or an additional row of blocks horizontally and vertically.

Colleen’s Solid Stars and Strings

17 comments on “Solid Stars and Strings”

Carol in VA BCH on April 20, 2013 at 10:36 am said:

I am a retired librarian and active quilter. I was very interested in your reading list. I love Deana Leon stories – I want to go to Venice. I want to try your string star. Love the idea of each star is a different color

Jan Ward on April 18, 2013 at 2:29 am said:

Oh Mary. I cannot believe I missed this before. I love it. I am very drawn to string quilts they take the stress out of trying to decide what goes with what. Thank you for sharing x

Kelley on December 29, 2012 at 9:18 pm said:

I believe this is also called Rocky Road to Kansas.

Susan R. on April 13, 2012 at 11:04 am said:

Awesome pattern and great directions, I am going to use up all my fabric in this lifetime and this is another great pattern. Thank you so very much

Susy on March 30, 2012 at 4:55 pm said:

Thanks for another terrific tutorial! This is right up there with the hearts string quilt.

Kristy Wilkinson on March 30, 2012 at 9:42 am said:

Thanks for the link to the instructions. Now I see how you get your shape. They really are striking. K-

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Sue A on March 29, 2012 at 1:09 pm said:

Another to add to my list of quilts to finish…before I die! At this rate, Mary, I’m going to have to live to 150 to catch up to you.

Julie w on March 29, 2012 at 12:24 am said:

I really love this. Beautiful!

Marilyn on March 28, 2012 at 7:31 pm said:

these are fantastic. Just love the look of this blog and quilt. Gonna have to find time to make one of these and maybe keep it for myself! Who am I kidding, I never keep my quilts :0 JUst love it.

Linda aka wildyard on March 28, 2012 at 12:13 pm said:

Wow, Mary, these are great! So far they are my favorite of all your string quilts. Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing how they are done. I will definitely be making this quilt.
Hugs and smiles, Linda

Teresa on March 28, 2012 at 7:39 am said:

Love this, Mary! I was wondering how in the world you were creating that look! Awesome! Thanks for answering that question.

Carla on March 27, 2012 at 8:35 pm said:

Solid, colored foundation squares. LOVE IT! Thank you for sharing.

Jeane on March 27, 2012 at 7:04 pm said:

Thanks Mary for the instructions. That is a fabulous looking quilt. You are so talented with the EQ7 program.

Susan D. on March 27, 2012 at 5:33 pm said:

Thanks Mary. I just couldn’t find it on the web site– as I wasn’t sure what it was called. Very good instructions– that explains the block perfectly. What fun!

Becky in KCMO on March 27, 2012 at 8:35 am said:

Thanks, Mary for the instructions. It answers all my questions.

Liz N. on March 27, 2012 at 7:02 am said:

Love, love, love these! Your instructions are great……a definite on my to do list! Thanks!

MaryQuilts.com

Solid Stars and Strings

17 comments on “Solid Stars and Strings”

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