2020 String Block Drive for Covered in Love

Hello faithful Covered in Love sewers! It's January and time for the 5th annual CiL String Block Drive. The first 3 years we did a traditional string blocks like these, then last year did a quarter log cabin variant.  This year I have another variation on a string block to mix it up a little bit. 

In 2018 we had a bumper crop of quilts!

If you're unfamiliar with the details of how these blocks drives work scroll all the way to the bottom of the post. Or visit this page for the details of Covered in Love's mission.

String blocks all start out the same, by opening your string drawer (mine ALWAYS seems to be over flowing) and cutting a foundation square of scrap fabric about 13.5" square.  You'll trim to final block to 12.5", so after you make one or two you'll figure out how much how much lee way you need to give yourself.

Somewhere in the middle third of the block draw a vertical line on any angle. 

Pick which side, left or right, you're going to start on and start at the wider end of the section. Start placing string to fill the section, making sure that they cover your pencil line completely.  As you put each new strip down, place it right side down and sew through all three layers.

Then unfold the strip and finger press it down in place. 

Continue placing strings down, working your way up the section.

Now, time to change directions.  Take a long string and place it along the same angle as your original pencil line. Make sure you place it so that all the seam allowances will be well covered.

Sew the new strip in place and press it over.

Continue placing strings until you cover then entire foundation piece of fabric.

Trim the block to 12.5". I find this easier to do from the back.

And that's it. Ta-da, one block done!

As usual with these string drives, wonky-ness is allowed and ugly fabrics are encouraged!  By itself one fabric or one block may not look all that impressive, but all together they make beautiful quilts.

(Edited to Add: View some finished quilts here)

Covered in Love makes quilts to cover patients who pass away at a Texas hospital and comfort the families.  Anyone can contribute to these drives and make as few blocks or as many as they like. The drive runs January thru February, so blocks should be in the mail by the end of Feb.  Email CoveredinLoveTx@gmail.com if you need the address to mail blocks.