Easy Diamond String Block Tutorial: Sew With Me
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Make beautiful blocks from throw away fabrics. Let me show you how.
My Sewing Machine: Janome HD9: amzn.to/3PHI6Sy
Janome HD9 Quilting Kit: amzn.to/4azuFMV
Supplies:
Newsprint for foundations: amzn.to/3PlcIJ3
7 x 7 Parchment: amzn.to/3v2HyQ3
Deli Papers: amzn.to/3TAnrC3
Glue Sticks Clear: amzn.to/49Uo7YI *NOTE this is a pack of 30 - share with friends)
Pins: amzn.to/4aaW5I1
Rowenta Travel Iron: amzn.to/3IAqyU6
Sewing Machine Needles: 90/14: amzn.to/49fPECP
Sewing Machine Needles 100/16:amzn.to/4cD1ny7
Color Cubes: sarahrenaeclar...
OmniGrid Fold Away Cut & Press: amzn.to/3Ty8krA
Rotary Cutter: shrsl.com/4h2a9
Cotton Cuts Snippets Club: www.cottoncuts...
Southern Fabric Scrap Bags: southernfabric...
Fat Quarter Shop Scraps (harder to find): shrsl.com/4h598
Books I Love and one I’m looking forward to:
String Quilts - Sustainable Patchwork amzn.to/3J007ru
Classic to Contemporary String Quilts: amzn.to/3PGFjZA
String Quilts: amzn.to/4ahthyi
String Fling: amzn.to/3TFbtpr
String Frenzy: amzn.to/4cBsnxU
Liberated String Quilts: amzn.to/4afOKr6
String Quilt Revival: amzn.to/43GK236
************************************************************************************
Find Me Elsewhere:
Join the LiveChat Fun Over on Patreon: / amydement
Find me On Instagram: www.instagram....
Contact for Business and Other Inquiries:
CreativeGenius@thedements.com
Amy Dement
13492 N Highway 183 Suite 120-233
Austin, TX 78750-2254
************************************************************************************
Links & Discounts:
My Amazon Store: www.amazon.com...
Color Cubes: sarahrenaeclar...
Get $10.00 off your first $50.00 Fat Quarter Shop Order: refer.fatquart...
Sewer’s Club Stash Builder Box
(use code AMY30 for 30% off 1st box):bit.ly/47vbPEl
Sewer’s Club Project Box
(use code AMYBOX for 30% off 1st box):bit.ly/3TI6yFY
************************************************************************************
FTC disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of the links. This video is not sponsored.
Make beautiful blocks from throw away fabrics. Let me show you how.
My Sewing Machine: Janome HD9: amzn.to/3PHI6Sy
Janome HD9 Quilting Kit: amzn.to/4azuFMV
Supplies:
Newsprint for foundations: amzn.to/3PlcIJ3
7 x 7 Parchment: amzn.to/3v2HyQ3
Deli Papers: amzn.to/3TAnrC3
Glue Sticks Clear: amzn.to/49Uo7YI *NOTE this is a pack of 30 - share with friends)
Pins: amzn.to/4aaW5I1
Rowenta Travel Iron: amzn.to/3IAqyU6
Sewing Machine Needles: 90/14: amzn.to/49fPECP
Sewing Machine Needles 100/16:amzn.to/4cD1ny7
Color Cubes: sarahrenaeclark.com/?ref=150
OmniGrid Fold Away Cut & Press: amzn.to/3Ty8krA
Rotary Cutter: shrsl.com/4h2a9
Cotton Cuts Snippets Club: www.cottoncuts.com/snippet/
Southern Fabric Scrap Bags: southernfabric.com/collections/scrap-bags
Fat Quarter Shop Scraps (harder to find): shrsl.com/4h598
Books I Love and one I’m looking forward to:
String Quilts - Sustainable Patchwork amzn.to/3J007ru
Classic to Contemporary String Quilts: amzn.to/3PGFjZA
String Quilts: amzn.to/4ahthyi
String Fling: amzn.to/3TFbtpr
String Frenzy: amzn.to/4cBsnxU
Liberated String Quilts: amzn.to/4afOKr6
String Quilt Revival: amzn.to/43GK236
************************************************************************************
Find Me Elsewhere:
Join the LiveChat Fun Over on Patreon: www.patreon.com/AmyDement
Find me On Instagram: instagram.com/eemayde/?hl=en
Contact for Business and Other Inquiries:
CreativeGenius@thedements.com
Amy Dement
13492 N Highway 183 Suite 120-233
Austin, TX 78750-2254
************************************************************************************
Links & Discounts:
My Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/amydement
Color Cubes: sarahrenaeclark.com/?ref=150
Get $10.00 off your first $50.00 Fat Quarter Shop Order: refer.fatquartershop.com/tmr83qey
Sewer’s Club Stash Builder Box
(use code AMY30 for 30% off 1st box):bit.ly/47vbPEl
Sewer’s Club Project Box
(use code AMYBOX for 30% off 1st box):bit.ly/3TI6yFY
************************************************************************************
FTC disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of the links. This video is not sponsored.
Love string blocks....so 😊. My tip is to keep your short pieces, less than 5 inches in a pile, they are useful when you get towards the corners
Great idea!! That’s fantastic!!
Thank you so much for showing examples of the finished blocks at the beginning of your video! As a visual person, it drives me up a wall to watch someone piecing a pattern without giving me any reference.
You are so welcome! I feel the same way.
Love the title. I have been string quilting since the 80s.
♥️
Great use of strings - simply lovely quilt. I throw out those tiny triangles, but the strips are safely sorted by color. I will be making this!
Awesome! I throw those triangles out too - shhh 🤫 😊😆
@@amydement. 🤣
Can't throw it away and I will not lie! Been teaching my grandchildren to sew using strings. The quilt police might object, but I often get donation fabric, so I will square the poly cotton and use for string projects. Lightweight and not in a landfill. See?! I really can't throw it out 😅
That's a great use for poly/cotton!
.p
Ewww, Ahhhh! They are beautiful Amy. Since I can’t toss ANYTHING I have phone books. 🎉. Thank you Amy.
Thank you! I just noticed at my grocery store they have a community yellow pages 🤔 😊😂
Nice demonstration! I have several old telephone books that I had saved for this very project! Haven't started yet but I have the foundation. Way back in the 1970's I remember my Grandma sewing strips on pages she had torn out of Sears, Roebuck and Company catalogs.
Awesome
Beautiful job thank you for sharing will try it thankyou
You’re welcome 😊 I hope you have fun!
For easy tear away paper, I buy kids coloring books from dollar tree. It's basically newspaper material
That’s a great idea. Thank you for sharing!
My mottos is pretty much always that it will all more out in the end! Great walkthrough of the string block!
So true! Thanks so much!
I love string blocks! I try to make them as obnoxious as possible!
LOVE this!!!
I love string blocks…I did one on dryer sheets with Christmas fabric for my sister. I even big stitched it. Need to do more. Your color placement makes the blocks really gorgeous. Funny side note, I die a dozen all going the same way before I realized I needed to do the opposite angle. Wish I had seen your hint at the beginning.
That’s awesome (not the misdirection) I had to draw it out several times to make sure when I planned the purple and green quilt.
What a philosophy on life: “it doesn’t matter (the little things) it all works out in the end”❤😊👍❤
It really does!
It usually does. I had a quilt pattern that was a nightmare to piece, and I knew it was going to be a challenge to quilt. Funny enough, it absolutely worked out! there is one (!) small pucker in the final pieced, quilted and bound quilt, but it doesn't matter to me. It's near impossible to see and the final project is really stunning. I am really proud that I stuck with it and just finished the quilt and it's absolutely being used as a bedspread in our master bedroom right now!
That is awesome!
When I come to the corners, I tend to use the triangles that I’ve have accumulated.
That’s a great use for them!
I just love your attitude. Quilting should be fun.
Thank you!
Hi Amy! Thank you for this tutorial on 60 degree string blocks. I haven't done this angle. Just 45 degrees. I made my self a cardboard template at 9.5 inches. This way I don't have to use paper. My first string quilt I sewed the strings on muslin but it got rather heavy. This is lovely however. Marion in Oregon.
Great idea!thanks for watching
~ LOVE ~ LOVE ~ LOVE ~ String Quilting
It’s so much fun to see how it all comes together. Thanks for watching!
I use all of one color on one side of string blocks and a background fabric on the other side when making squares. I need to try doing diamonds for a change of pace it was so soothing watching you sew those blocks.
Your idea sounds awesome too!
Such a fun project and it is going to be so pretty. Thanks for sharing………………..
Thank you! 😊
Thanks Amy , I love your style and breezy manner. I'm teaching my two granddaughters ages 11 & 9 to sew using this technique because it is so forgiving and easy. So far, they have made a 15" pillow that they just love and they are so proud! Our time is limited so something fun and no stress about perfect seams is perfect.
That is wonderful! Thank you for sharing.
Merry Mabel Market is another great channel where her philosophy is it doesn't matter. She does a lot of wonky quilts. She has a star quilt she called a twinkling star because it's wonky, the points are all different
♥️
When I am foundation piecing I use all the “ugly”fabric that I either inherited or bought in a moment of weakness. My tip is to turn the fabric over so that you are sewing the strips to the wrong side. Iris usually lighter in color and it will not show through on the finished top. The batting covers the printed side on the back. Win, win!
Great tip! Thanks for sharing
books of children's tracing paper is great for this!
Great idea. Thank you
I have a scrap bucket(s) that never seem to go down even after making scrap quilts, dog beds and blankets...it's crazy!❤
Isn’t it crazy?!? I know exactly what you mean.
I really enjoyed your video, I will dig out the scraps that I still have after moving recently.
I will make myself a kit of strips and foundations, and leave it next to my sewing machine to work on in-between stuff. So, thank you for teaching me this method of creating free quilt tops!
Oh that’s awesome. Thank YOU for watching.
I use white pillowcases. Since I like white sheet on our beds, and I make our pillowcases, I have a lot of white pillowcases!
Great idea.
Oh I just loved this tutorial, I'm always mesmerised by your purple, green and red polka dot strip quilt behind you!! So glad you put this together!!👏
Thank you so much!
Me too!
Recently I made my first string quilt inspired by the one on the background. I turned out stunning, using all kinds of blues and greens with orange in the middle. I had a joy making it. The only thing .. I left the paper in until I sewed all blocks together; what a pain to get all the tiny pieces of paper out of the corners. I see you removed the paper before joining the blocs, that would have saved me a lot of time. Next time, as those string quilts are addictive ❤
Oh that sounds awesome and yes I get rid of the paper asap. I cannot stand it I. The seam allowances - that IS a pain.
I love this method. Amy, I enjoy that you don't sweat the small stuff. Thanks again for the smile and the warm, fuzzy joy you enfuse in your work. 🎶💐💖🫂
Thank you!
Hi Amy, I love this tutorial. Your style is so refreshing. The freedom to just have fun while making a quilt is so awesome. It will all work out. 😅 I love the string quilt on the wall behind you. This one is absolutely great, too. ❤😊
Thank you so much!
Hello Beautiful! These blocks are so much fun. Choosing one element to be consistent makes a scrappy quilt cohesive; be it the same color in the center or even the same color family for the rest of the strings. I love your attitude, “ I’m serious about quilting but I don’t take quilting too seriously.” I think it’s time to get back to my strings blocks UFO.
Oh thank you! You should definitely play with strings 😊
I love your videos and am always excited when I see that you have posted a new one! I am especially thankful to see this video, because I have been collecting purple and green fabrics to make a string quilt like the one on your wall, even the red polka dot fabric too! I am a scrappy quilt lover, and string quilts are such fun quilts to make. I have made a couple of square string quilts (one paper pieced and one without a foundation). I mistaking bought a bolt of off white cotton/poly fabric that I will now use for foundation for future string quilts. Had I not watched your video, I would not have realized that I need to use a rectangular shaped foundation. Glad to hear that you are doing so well since your hip surgery. BTW, I live in Cartersville, GA. (Doris Bishop)
Oh it’s going to be great! Thanks so much for watching and for your feedback. ♥️
If you do buy the 30 pack of glue you can put them in your freezer to keep them from drying out before you use them.
Oh that’s a great tip. Thank you!!
Looking forward to your next tutorial Amy. Greetings from Poland. Thank you, I love your last sentence about the idea of quilting.
Thank You!
I was leary of all the black but wow! did it turn out great. I may probably do the opposite, as I don’t have that much black. Lots of color with those two black strips. I like the diamond shape too. That made a pretty big square.
That sounds like a very cool variant!
Best string block video I’ve seen. You make it fun!
Yay! Thank you so much!
Your blocks are beautiful. Those black and white prints give it an interesting and pleasing look with the colored strips. It looks planned and uniform. I've done String piecing before with squares. I like that school glue idea (that will keep me from cutting my fingers on pins). String blocks are fun to make and use up a lot of scraps. I always chain piece two to three blocks at a time. If my paper tears, I repair it with the painter's masking tape (it does not gum up my needle). I love the wonky look in string piecing. It's fun, almost mindless, easy sewing. I wonder if string piecing could be used to make Quilt-As-You-Go blocks?
This is also a great way to use up old newspapers and publications. Paper can be composted.
Great idea about the painters tape!!
I love string quilts, and I love your idea of using rectangular foundation to end up with diamonds. I made a double-bed size string quilt top during Covid lockdown (still not quilted, but going to the long-armer soon) using foundation squares from old phone book pages. I added a white inner border for contrast, then made an outer "piano key" border with yet more string scraps. I found it's important to stay-stitch around each block after removing paper foundation to keep the bias edges from stretching. I didn't iron after adding each string, just finger-pressed, then pressed the finished block. And I didn't use glue because I couldn't find any around the house and wasn't motivated to go out and buy some (it was blizzarding when I started the quilt). It was REALLY fun to see each block grow, and even more delightful to see them all come together in string-crazy wonderfulness :)
That sounds awesome. Now I need a piano key border!
I like to extend my fabric over the ends of the papers about a half inch... I then square it up to the size I want ... makes it easier to sew the blocks together. I often sew 4 blocks together ( I chunk my assembly) I then remove the paper from the 4 block chunks before attaching them to other chunks of blocks. .... I almost forgot I stay stitch my blocks before assembly into the chunks... Helps controlling the seams.
Great tips thank you!!!
Hi Amy! Thanks for this video. I'm all about strings/scraps, so it was fun to hang out with you in my "happy place"!!! Hugs from Canada.
You are so welcome!
My lap quilt is strip scraps from a quilting friend. I love it. I used an old stained sheet as the foundation for my blocks.
Fantastic. Dual repurposing!
That is so beautiful. I loved doing one a few months ago and this encourages me to do another. Thanks for sharing such great ideas.
Thank you. 😊
A new pattern Diamond Strings,beautiful
Thank you
Using fabric as the foundation makes for an extremely heavy quilt…just long-armed a king size fabric foundation pieced quilt-it was a beast!!
That is true! I tend to use a lightweight batting or none at all with the fabric foundation. Thanks so much for watching.
i purchased pillow cases from Good Well so the fabric is used and somewhat thin. This is my first so I hope its not too heavy
Your tutorial was easy to understand and I appreciate you showing your seam that wasn’t straight! Thank you , I’m going to give this a try
Yep - that’s how they go sometimes and it all works out. Thanks so much for watching!
I’ve yet to make string blocks though I’ve several phone & yellow page books I’ve hidden just for them!! One of these days…
I do save the trash to use in dog beds.
Every time I fine a phone book or catalog with the right pages I squirrel it away.
Perfect. Thank you for the tutorial ❤
Thank You!
i love this video and i love how you teach, i will be subscribing, i might be late to the party with this idea but i recently discovered i can use parchment paper to sew on and i can get huge rolls at the dollar store or low end places
Oh thank you so much! Parchment is a great foundation and it tears away so cleanly - I love that! I’m glad you’re here!
Love your input on this. I use batting pieces. I cut the all the size I want , 10in or 12 in squares usually. That way the batting is there. I just need to sew the squares together and put the backing on. I put sashing between the blocks. Love your idea and way. Thank you
That's a great idea! 💡
@amydement
Well, maybe. I learned of string quilts a couple years ago and got excited. So I made a bunch of blocks but I was too excited and didn't think it through because I also used batting as the foundation. But now what? How do I finish them? Backing and joining! I'm tempted to turn them into hot pads or pot holders. Any suggestions?
BTW: I have so enjoyed your videos and you attitude and your cuteness. I just watch you and learn from you and call you my friend!
After watching now I can do this correctly. Yay!!
Oh I’m so glad it was helpful!!
❤ I used recycled dryer sheets, rather than trashing the dryer sheets. Recycle save me money
That’s a great reuse! ♻️
Thanks Amy! Have antique string quilt blocks to finish into a top. Your tips are really helpful and clear. Love two at a time blocks for nearly any piecing. Been doing appliqué using parchment paper off a roll. Still works well with glue but releases easily from it. Think it would be perfect for strings blocks.
Great idea!
I use all those tiny leftovers for stuffing pillows, pincushions, pet beds, and toys.
That’s a great use!! 😊
My favorite foundation is used dryer sheets! Sure, I have to iron them (on low) but I don't have to tear them out; they don't add bulk or weight to the quilt top & using them makes my sewing room smell nice!!
Thanks for sharing!! Many have recommended that as well it’s a great reuse!
I use used dryer sheets for my foundations. Makes a great base and saves them from the landfill!
♥️
I love those. They are so cute and happy
Thanks
Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing. ❤👍from Somerset UK
Thank you! Cheers! 😊
Love it! Love how it looks and love making string blocks!❤
Thank you! 😊
I have made string blocks before. I’ve made only square blocks. Need to try these. Thanks.
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching.
Love your vibe, 🇦🇺💜🇺🇲💚🇨🇦❤🪡🧵👍
Thank you so much! 😊
Sometimes craft stores will clearance newsprint paper which is good to look out for to use as a foundation.
That’s a great tip - thank you!
If you live near a newspaper printer, they will often give away the ends of the paper rolls. They still have lots of paper on the end of the roll and are about a yard wide.
I like your idea Amy. I bought a huge pack of newsprint weight paper from Amazon to use for the rainbow string quilt I am making. It is standard 8.5 X 11 size. Thank you for another option for string rectangles! 😀❤️
Sounds great! Thank you so much!
Diamond in a,diamond ia so cool! Gotta make one!
Thanks I hope you have fun with it!
I love using up scraps. I made one of these years ago. Great video .
Awesome! Thank you!
I like to use the lightweight nonfusible interfacing that comes on bolts. Of course, when I get it on sale or can use a coupon. I cut it into the size I need and it doesn't have to be removed.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful blocks. I love stringblocks too.
Thank you
So funny I use those exact same glue sticks from Amazon. I love those
They’re great I like they’re not too sticky
A very enjoyable project and unstuffy attitude! Thankyou!
Thank you 😊
You can save the very small pieces for someone to use them as stuffing for toys, pet beds, etc. If you don't want to use them pass them on to someone who likes playing with smaller scraps. Keep them out of the dump!
Thanks for the suggestions 😊♥️
Haha! I have OCD so I trim each seam with a ruler and rotary cutter.
Whatever works for you is awesome!!!
Do you ever sew out one side at a time? I guess it doesnt matter. I do enjoy your channel content and your happy, enthusiastic nature!
You absolutely can I just like the rhythm and balance of doing it alternating.
Really enjoyed seeing your process for diamond strings!
Thank you!
Love this. New subbie.
Yay! Thank you!
I love this project! I have a plan going on in my head and can't wait to start. Thanks for the great tutorial.
You are so welcome!
Enjoyed this Amy. Love the method. Love the colors. Thanks.
Thanks so much!
Thank you.
You're welcome! Thank you!
New subscriber 😻 nice video 🍄
Yay! Thank you! 😊
I'm so excited for this tutorial!!! 😍
I'm so glad! Thank you 😊
I saw a stack of those yellow pages books as I was walking out of Heb Grocery Store this week. One book goes a long way. That's what I use. I'm cheap (frugal).
Oh me too. Note to self - check HEB
enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching 😊
Fabulous thanks for sharing. This is my next project. Love it❤
Have fun! Thank you so much! 😊
Thanks for such a great video, with a fun way to make great blocks with our scraps! I forgot to post my latest and greatest that I'm reading (as per your post): John Mortimer (he's the dude who edited and introduced the following collection): Great Law and Order Stories. Some are spooky, some are funny, some are delightful. Ive also got Herrgotts B'scheißerle by Silvija Hinzmann on the back burner (it is a German language book with Swabian recipes corresponding to true crime stories). I grew up bi-lingual, so I love delving into German and English language books alike.
Thank you so much and your books sound riveting!
So fun!
Thank you
I love strings
They are so much fun and I like the serendipity.
Beautiful ❤
Thank you! 😊
I use dryer fabric sheets as my foundation.
Great reuse!
Excellent thank you Amy
Glad it was helpful! Thank you.
Wish you had finished the quilt showing how to add the red outline.
Oh like the one on the wall? That’s the binding and I used a running stitch to sew it down. That’s a great idea I’ll do a video on that technique sometime soon. Thank you.
Amy, as a Patreon member, do you get the same info no matter if you choose the 1, 3, or 5 contribution? If not, can you tell me more?
Yes. All benefits to all levels. Thanks for asking. The level are just for different options of patron support. 😊♥️
This is one of those great mindless projects
It’s very meditative.
Have you done a salvage quilt??
I haven’t but they are always interesting.
Love
♥️😊
I have to ask a question
When you lay 1st strip is it in middle of line you draw or on side of line? ? ?? Tks
good question I should have made it more clear. I lay it across the center of the line. Thanks for asking.
How much of a plan do you use when working on these?
Great question! I have a terrible answer… which is. It depends. Frankly I plan direction and a color grouping and everything else happens organically. For these specifically I wanted black/grey strings with the pops of color. I chose the color palette for the feature strings and then it just comes together based on what I pick up. It’s going to be a challenge when I lay this out but I’m up for it.
CAN you post a link to the scrap source you mentioned.... never heard of them and I like getting scraps from others cause my scraps all look the same.
Oh good point I’ll update the subscription box as well. Mostly I shop the free table at my guild but Southern Quilts, Cotton cuts. And Fat Quarter Shop (those can be harder to find) all have great scraps. Cotton Cuts scrap club is the one I mentioned.
Found you. Lol thanks
Why didn’t you draw you line corner to corner? One was at the corner the other looked to be maybe an inch from the corner.
It is corner to corner I think the fold in the page distorted the view. Thanks for asking.
I know you will be in the Austin event. But will you be a vendor. If so what is your both number
I am not a vendor but I am volunteering in the vendor area Saturday 10-12:30 and doing a meet up In The lobby from 2-3
HA ... who knew I was an expert at "organic" seams!
😆♥️
What!!? You don’t like the purple glue sticks? I never would have guessed that.😉
I fear the dye not clearing the fabric is all. Otherwise ...purple always works
Dryer sheets
That’s a good substrate too if you have them!😊♥️