"Strip Tubing" Oh WOW..............

Last Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11 shops in Central Ks had a Shop Hop.  Each of these days they had extended hours to accommodate the quilters.   We are very blessed to have so many wonderful quilt shops in this area.  Each one of these shops has there own way of showing and demonstrating techniques, quilts, etc.  If you have a chance and you're visiting this area be sure to check a few of these shops out.  I loaded the car with 4 other women and off we were.   Our goal was to hit as many shops as we could on Friday and finish on Saturday.  We hit 10 of them and the 11th one we did on our own Saturday.  Yes, more fabric was bought, unique patterns and whatever else we were looking for.  Fun day, weekend, or however many days it took the quilters.

If you're in the area and want some names, addresses and cities they are located in just drop me a note to my email address:  www.connieselzer@hotmail.com.  I'd be glad to help you.

I took a class recently on “Strip Tubing” and the class really got me hooked on this type of quilting.  It’s so simple!  The only tool you need that you might consider buying is a “Strip Tube Ruler.”  You can use a regular ruler but this one is already marked and ready to use.  I   purchased a book “Strip Tubing“ by Daniela Stout and Georgette Dell’Orco so this ruler comes in very handy.

This technique is very different but easy.  Don’t get excited because if I can do it you can also without any trouble.  This technique is making a tube with 2 ½” strips.  You will need light, medium and 2 dark fabrics for this technique.  Cut your yardage into 2 ½” strips.  Then take a light strip and sew two dark strips on each side of the light strip with ¼” seams.  Next take a medium strip and sew two light strips on each side of the medium strip with ¼” seams.  My light strips are the yellow, dark strip is dark purple and medium strip is the light purple.  Can you find the four squares that make one block?

TIP:  Do not use steam when pressing because it will create ripples on the edges.  You might want to use a spray starch or Mary Ellen’s Best Press Alternative.  Personally, I love Mary Eleen's Best Press and it smells so good.

Press them flat.  Now set them directly on top of each other with right sides together and sew each side again with ¼” seams.  If you don’t have a strip tubing ruler use a 9 ”square ruler and set the 45 degree mark on the seam line first at the top and cut fabric then slide down to bottom seam and cut fabric at the 45 degree angle.  You should get six pieces from each tube, four squares to make one block.  If you have any stitches at the point be sure to take these out before opening.  Press your block open.  Then position your four squares the way you want them to look and sew together with ¼” seam.  Make as many blocks as you need for the size of quilt you want to make.   

  

This is such a fun and easy to make quilt.  You can turn the triangles anyway you’d like and make the quilt the way you want it!  Try some different colors that maybe you wouldn't have tried before.  Make it your quilt.

 Keep checking back because I have more "Strip Tubing" quilts to show you.

So is this a technique you think you might try………

Connie