Taking it One String at a Time

by Nicole

Daughter #1 started pre-K last week, which meant this mama was scrambling to get all the stuff she needed, meet and greet her new teachers, and figure out what in the world to pack for lunch everyday (lunchbox ideas are welcome!).

All this activity meant very little time to sew. Sigh.

Still I made some progress on the commissioned quilt I’m working on.

I put the blocks on my design wall to get a sense of how the quilt is shaping up. 

I’ve got 14 blocks done. Only 130 to go! 130 blocks feels like a lot to do. But, I’m telling myself to take it one string at a time. Wish me luck!

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27 comments

Heather D. August 26, 2012 - 1:40 am

Whaaaah? 130? How big is this quilt going to be? It'll be stunning.

School lunches, wish I could help you there. It's the thing I like least about the school year. I have such trouble being creative that my kids have pretty boring/always kind of the same lunches. They don't really complain though so that's a plus for me!

thatmoxiegirl August 26, 2012 - 2:38 am

These colors are gorgeous and I am envious that you can undertake such a large project with kiddos. Every time I think I can do a large quilt I just get bored.

Lynn August 26, 2012 - 2:45 am

The blocks are terrific so far, putting string blocks together is fun and easy. And then so rewarding when the blocks are sewn together. What size are they?
I only have one lunch to make this year. I'm on year 17 of making school lunches. I had one who liked pretty much the same thing everyday, one who never wanted lunch and another who liked a healthy lunch everyday, but not a sandwich. She was the most fun to make for. Cheese and crackers, apple slices, banana, bagel, salads, trial mix, wraps.

Lisa Lisa August 26, 2012 - 4:16 am

Oh my goodness! 130? That looks like a lot of work! It's beautiful so far, and I know it'll be beautiful when you're finished….just like all of your quilts 🙂

Lunchbox ideas….hmmmm…I haven't had to make lunches for a very long time (my son is 23). One thing my husband and I used to do iwas put a fun little note in his lunch – sometimes sweet, sometimes funny – and he loved these! We actually saved some of them. Enjoy these younger years–they go by way too fast.

sukie August 26, 2012 - 4:48 am

That is a lot but it will eff'in rock when it's done!

Chelsea August 26, 2012 - 5:25 am

I love those pops of purple! But another 13o blocks? Yikes!

I'm no help on school lunches. No kids and we just have leftovers in our lunch kits.

Megan August 26, 2012 - 8:27 am

Wow, those blocks look gorgeous. I love the colours and admire your patience.

Gertie Pye August 26, 2012 - 8:45 am

Mine likes crackers, a small sandwich, raisins, grapes and cucumber. I use parchment paper to separate dry stuff from the fruit & salad. Also pre packed cheese like babybel is good. If you have Frubes or yoghurt tubes, put them in the freezer, then pop in the lunchbox frozen. By lunchtime they will be defrosted but not warm. Soon you will be doing packed lunches blindfold!

Katy Cameron August 26, 2012 - 10:07 am

It's a fab effect, but good luck!

I suspect dd would not be too fond of what's in my lunchbox, so I'll spare her that ;o)

Daffy's Dream August 26, 2012 - 12:05 pm

beautiful colors and love the combos

Miss Nancy August 26, 2012 - 4:39 pm

Love the string quilt! Makes you eyes dance about the quilt. Well done! Best of luck with it.

Lunch box ideas — It has been a long time since I packed lunch for my boys.

Have a super great sewing and stitching day!

Cherie August 26, 2012 - 7:26 pm

Wow that sounds like the makings of a large quilt. Good luck!! =D

Carla August 26, 2012 - 7:45 pm

Gorgeous!

Sewing Sue August 26, 2012 - 8:12 pm

It's been a long time since I had to make a lunch for a small person. My grands take Gogurts and cut up veggies and peanut butter or jelly sandwiches with no crusts!

The strings are pretty… have you tried making big ones and cutting them into quarters? It might go faster than one at a time.

Have fun!

Books_Bound August 26, 2012 - 8:30 pm

Beautiful WIP, Nicole. It's such a sophisticated look! I like that you have the white strings connecting–that will look really neat going throughout the quilt!

Good luck with the lunches and the patience this quilt will require. 🙂

Foster August 26, 2012 - 10:37 pm

So very pretty. Love the colors. What was the original post where you showed how to do this block?

Pennie August 26, 2012 - 11:06 pm

Looks great, although don't envy you making 130 more!

Shauna August 27, 2012 - 12:01 am

One word comes to mind . . . stunning!

Debbie August 27, 2012 - 5:19 am

oh my gosh, those strings sound really scary to me! But they are beautiful, so go, Nicole, go!
As for lunch boxes, my kids loved sandwiches in fun shapes, turkey & cream cheese rolled up in tortillas, home-baked goodies, of course, cheese-sticks, and when things were really bare in the cupboards – peanut butter on a spoon, wrapped in plastic wrap – true story!

piece peace August 27, 2012 - 4:04 pm

Your strings are beautiful!

Heidi Staples August 27, 2012 - 9:15 pm

It's looking great, Nicole, but so many blocks? Wow! You're amazing!

I did a lot of sandwiches for my lunches as a kid. To this day I can't bear a tuna fish sandwich because of it, but I still love peanut butter and jelly. 🙂

Kimberly Cassie @ Quilty Doodads August 27, 2012 - 11:34 pm

Beautiful! I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's finished.

Megan August 29, 2012 - 1:23 am

Nicole, we need to talk. 130 string blocks? with those skinny minnie strings? Clearly, something has come over you. Good luck, though! I like how the solids and white connecting stripes bring a certain zen element to all the piecework that goes along with a string quilt.

Live a Colorful Life August 29, 2012 - 4:39 pm

This is going to be stunning. I agree that 130 sounds like way too many. But one block at a time. Love the pops of purple!

Tabatha August 30, 2012 - 12:27 pm

Wow, that's gorgeous! I've tried making string blocks but I just don't have the patience for the repetitiveness however, I LOVE the results!

Heidi August 30, 2012 - 3:58 pm

gorgeous

sewfrench.com August 31, 2012 - 11:46 am

This is gorgeous! I love the loves you chose and the narrow strings!

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