Today's Quilter - UK (2020-01)

TECHNIQUES l string piecing

Above, A single, solid background colour

anchors the multicoloured strings

FigD Buildingcrumbblocks

FigE Free-formblockbuilding

Fig F Trim as desired.

2

Continue to add pieces to the

block in a stitch-and-flip manner,

trimming and pressing after the

addition of each piece until you reach

the desired unit size (Fig E).

When piecing crumb blocks, I try

to avoid piecing in a circular manner

leaving me with predictable blocks

resembling log cabins. Change it up,

go side by side, or opposite sides. Start

in a corner, or cut across by adding

a large triangle on one side. Always,

always,alwaysgoforvariety

Leftover block parts or strip

sets from other projects make great

additions to crumb blocks. Build

around a Nine-patch or a Four-patch

or some half-square triangles for a bit

of added spark. Feel free to sew smaller

scraps end to end to end to create a

pieced section, then add the section

onto the crumb block for a bit more

unpredictability. There really are no

rules, so just experiment.

3

Get into the habit of twisting

and turning the ruler on top of

the block to find the most interesting

placement before trimming to your

desired size (Fig F). Are the corners

you trimmed o big enough to start

another block centre? They could be!