The Prompt for Project Quilting 14/2 was Pink Tint. My first thought was to pull out all my pink fabrics and make a pink string quilt in an X and O design. Why this quilt? My Quilting Group, Ladies of the Lake, has been doing a quilting for others project based on string quilts and I have been organizing the strips, muslin and other aspects of the project. I have string quilts on my mind! So here is Pink Strings- a 40″ x 48″ finished quilt.

I had some back-up project ideas for smaller projects, but I decided to start by pulling out all the predominantly pink fabrics. I noticed I seem to prefer peachy pink and raspberry pink shades. I also acquired a new spool of Aurifil 50 wt. thread from my local quilt shop. I also realized Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild was having their monthly meet-up via Zoom on Thursday and a virtual retreat called “Game On.” I signed up and decided to crash the challenge!

I cut up strings into a variety of widths- from 1.5-2.5 in width. I knew from previous string quilts that I should make some half-square triangles to finish blocks, to avoid a tiny strip added at the end of a block. I had a few squares of fabric remnants that were valentines themed that I included. I used tear-away papers cut into 8.5 inch pieces. Then the piecing could begin! My goal was to make 10 blocks a day and then finish putting the blocks together. I actually made blocks and rejected 3 as a little too different. I kept the papers on until the blocks were joined into a 5 x 6 array. I sewed a quarter inch edge to keep the strips sewed together when removing paper. I often use muslin for these blocks, but paper makes a softer quilt. I used Quilters Dream batting and a solid cream fabric for the back.

I made a free-motion heart pattern that came to me in a dream. It turned out great. I applied a sturdy machine binding as well! I was on a deadline and actually finished by 11:55.

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I snapped a picture of Jack holding up the quilt and then went to do battle with WordPress. I enjoyed the company of my virtual retreat to keep me company on this real challenge. Looking forward to 14.3.