At a time when people are looking to create sustainably, and thinking about where resources are coming from, many quilters are rediscovering a range of traditional patchwork and quilting techniques that, at their heart, are based on recycling and reusing materials. A style of patchwork that is true to this ethos, and which has been around for centuries, is string patchwork. A string quilt is made from fabric strips, longer than they are wider and often thinner at one end than the other. In the past these were often off-cuts from clothes making, but today they are often made when we trim off fabric to even it up before rotary cutting. These strings of fabric are sewn together (often on a foundation) to make a new fabric. This in turn is made into the patches in the quilt. These types of quilts have a wonderful jauntiness about them, owing to the many angles the fabric strings create and the amount of different fabrics used. Due to the scrap nature of string quilts, they are good for using a wide range and eclectic mix of fabrics that, otherwise, would have gathered dust in the corner of a room - or worse, ended up in landfill. In her brand-new book, best-selling author and quilter Carolyn Forster will show you how to transform fabric off-cuts and scraps, as well as old clothes and household linens, into 10 beautiful string patchwork quilts. All the quilts feature traditional blocks, so you can easily create your favourite designs without breaking the bank or hurting the planet. In addition, Carolyn has included 8 little gifts and accessories to make with the leftovers from your quilt-making (!), so that nothing goes to waste - from a needle case and a quilt-notions pouch to a table runner and duffel bag. Along with a small section on all the materials and notions to get started, plus an invaluable techniques chapter, quilters will have everything they need to create planet-conscious quilts, and in the process celebrate old quilt and patchwork methods from quilters of yore.

About the Author
Carolyn Forster is a best-selling author on quilting. She started making quilts when she was a teenager and went on to study Textiles at the University of Bath. Since graduating, Carolyn has taught patchwork and quilting both in the UK and the USA and has had her quilts featured in a number of books and magazines, including Fabrications, Popular Patchwork and Patchwork and Quilting. Carolyn lives in Tunbridge Wells, UK with her husband and son. Visit Carolyn's website www.carolynforster.co.uk

Reviews

This is a great book and guide. Carolyn explains everything clearly and with pictures to help you follow it well. There are some very lovely pieces to make in this book and I will enjoy making things for many weeks to come.

-- Rebecca Clarke * Customer Review *

I already have a couple of books by Carolyn Forster and was very happy to get my hands on this one!

With a sustainability theme throughout, the book covers a great selection of patchwork projects to use up leftover fabrics and scraps, from larger quilt projects down to a little pin cushion. I'm looking forward to making the quilted pillow - the technique for the pillow back is one I hadn't seen before.

It also goes into detail about fabrics and foundation materials as well as on techniques like applique and stitch and flip methods. Each section and project has clear pictures or diagrams to illustrate the steps involved. The colour scheme throughout and the fantastic photographs make it a great book visually too!

-- Kerry Howard * Customer Review *

What a beautiful book.

I've enjoyed looking at this new book my Carolyn Foster. There are some beautiful photos of stunning quilts. The instructions seem nicely presented and easy to follow. It may be a bit challenging for a total beginner but anyone with basic sewing/quilting knowledge should find this book inspiring. Like most people that sew, I have a mountain of scraps and this book will encourage me to make something beautiful out of them.

-- Tori Matthews * Customer Review *

I am absolutely in awe of this incredible book. It is one that will be an absolute winner as a gift for yourself, for the stitcher in your life, for anyone wanting to sew more economically, for anyone wanting to learn a new method, and basically for anyone with an interest in sewing, textiles, or quilts! It is so beautifully presented, it is easy-to-follow, it is inspirational, and it is absolutely jam-packed with ideas, methods, knowledge, history, and projects!

-- Naomi Alice * naomialicecm.wordpress.com *

Discover traditional patchwork and quilting techniques. Using sewn fabric strips, string patchwork has been around for centuries. String quilts are ideal for using a wide range and mix of recycled and reused fabrics that would otherwise gather dust.

-- Machine Knitting Monthly * Issue 317 *

In String Quilts, Carolyn explores how you can use scraps from your stash to create sustainable quilts you'll treasure forever! So dig out your precious prints and the leftover fabrics in your collection that you just can't part with and learn how to turn them into utilitarian string quilts!

Carolyn also touches on the history of this much-loved, scrap-happy style of quilt and highlights the fantastic improvisational techniques that are great not just for your quilts, but for the planet too!

-- Today's Quilter * Issue 112 *

An essential title for readers interested in the sustainable crafting movement and quilting.

-- Elizabeth Chandler * Library Journal *



Book Information
ISBN 9781800920828
Author Carolyn Forster
Format Paperback
Page Count 176
Imprint Search Press Ltd
Publisher Search Press Ltd