Make a String Quilted Journal

June 6th, 2008 in patterns & designs, quilting

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.

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.

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

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.

Step 4: With right sides together, lay the next strip down, and sew with a 1/4-inch seam. Turn it to the right side, and press.

With right sides together, place the second strip of fabric on top of the first. Sew alongside one edge with a 1/4-inch seam. Fold the strip back to the right side, and press.

Step 5: Continue sewing down all the strips in both directions from the first strip.

Once you have sewn and pressed all of the strips, the piece should look like this.

Step 6: Trim off the ragged strip ends, and bind all of the edges. Fold under the ends of the cover, and sew them in place at top and bottom.

Sew the binded edges to create "sleeves" into which you can slide a journal or book cover.

Step 7: Hand-sew an elastic loop to the back and a cool button to the front.

I used an elastic hair band to create a simple loop closure on the back of the journal cover.

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posted in: patterns & designs, quilting, journal cover, string quilting

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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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