Make a String Quilted Journal

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Mary Ray, contributor

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You can try out the string-quilting technique on a small project such as this journal cover. To make it even more interesting, turn each strip at an angle before you stitch it down and create a random-pieced look.

Mary Ray

I string quilted this vest by cutting 1-inch strips and sewing them evenly to a foundation that was cut a little bigger than the pattern piece. After sewing the strips down, I placed the pattern tissue on the pieced fabric and re-cut along the cutting lines.

Mary Ray

Lay the fabric wrong side up on the table, and cover it with the batting.

Mary Ray

You can try out the string-quilting technique on a small project such as this journal cover. To make it even more interesting, turn each strip at an angle before you stitch it down and create a random-pieced look.

Photo: Mary Ray

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String quilting (aka "strip piecing") has nothing to do with string. I think that name came about because the technique involves using strips or "strings" of fabric sewn to a foundation, which in most cases is a piece of backing material such as muslin or lightweight cotton. It’s a traditional piecing technique and was probably originally designed to use up fabric scraps. String quilting can be used for all kinds of projects, but I have often used it garment designs.

I string quilted this vest by cutting 1-inch strips and sewing them evenly to a foundation that was cut a little bigger than the pattern piece. After sewing the strips down, I placed the pattern tissue on the pieced fabric and re-cut along the cutting lines.

How to Make a String-Quilted Journal Cover

Step 1: Cut a piece of fabric for the foundation that's large enough to cover the journal plus a couple of inches at each end for the overlap. Cut a piece of thin batting the same size.

Lay the fabric wrong-side up on the table, and cover it with the batting.

The batting is optional, but I think it’s nice to have a little padding.

Step 2: Cut the fabric strips (my cover took 22, 1-1/2-inch strips).

Step 3: Place the first strip right-side up somewhere on the middle of the batting/backing piece.

Place your first piece of fabric on the center of the batting.

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Comments (1)

kygirl writes: that such a cute idea. i have a lot of scrap pieces from other quilt projects. i had thought to make a jacket out of them but now i think i will redo my craft journal
Posted: 11:56 am on September 10th

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