Piecing Strings--post 2

The string bag in June

That string bag was calling to me. I was thinking about goal number three on my June list which was to sew strings from the 6 1/2 inch and 4 1/2 inch string bags. I was curious as to what I would find in Martha's scrap bag. 

The pile of fabrics to sort

To start, I pulled about five inches from the bag of scraps to the sorting table. Any aqua fabrics when into the Rainbow Scrap Challenge strings. There were a few of those.

Partial blocks, block parts, chunks of fabric

The pile contained partial blocks, blocks, squares, rectangles, triangles, crumb triangles, strips and strings! There were even a few pieces of similar fabric that might have been cut for a border for a small wall hanging. I started a bag for triangles and another for floral fabric squares. The black fabrics went into my Scrap Challenge project bin. The chunks went into my chunk drawers.

Strings, strips,  squares and a couple heart blocks

I sorted strips, squares and strings. I put the strips and squares into my scrap saving system. The strings went into my 6 1/2, 4 1/2, 3 1/2 and 2 1/2 inch bags.

Progress in July--reduced by almost half

Progress at the end of the sorting session was great. Maybe after one more sorting session, I will empty the bag! While I applaud Chantal (At the Corner of Scrap and Quilts) for her ability to make blocks immediately from the scraps, I contented myself to stitch the strings. My plan was to stitch four strips of strings in all the sizes but the 2 1/2 inch size. I'll save that stitching for when my youngest granddaughter is visiting.

6 1/2 inch strings

I started piecing the 6 1/2 inch strips to the paper foundation. I pieced four strips for a total of 88 inches. Of course, I had strings left to save for another sew day! The photo below contains all the 5 1/2 inch strips I have pieced so far!

I pieced the 4 1/2 inch strips next. I have another 88 inches of fabric!

I moved on to the 3 1/2 inch strips. Yep. . .another 88 inches of fabric!

I sew from the largest to the smallest because sometimes, there are bits left that will work in a smaller unit. Sometimes, I've miscalculated the correct size strip. This way, I make better use of my strip sewing time! 

The string bags are manageable so that means that they are ready to receive more strings as I make them.

I believe I'm close to having made enough "fabric" for string borders for a project!

Linking to: Oh Scrap and Sew & Tell.