Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial

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What Is String Piecing?

String Piecing is a quilting technique where narrow strips of fabric, called strings, are sewn together to create a new piece of fabric.

Unlike traditional patchwork, the strips do not have to be the same width.

The beauty of string piecing comes from mixing:

• leftover scraps
• different prints
• different colors
• different widths

The finished fabric is then cut into blocks or panels.

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Quilting Vocabulary

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Finished Project

The wall hanging shown consists of several long panels.

Each panel is approximately:

• 6–8 inches wide
• different lengths

The panels hang independently from a decorative rod.

This creates movement and gives the illusion of a cascading waterfall.

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Materials

Fabric

Use quilting cotton scraps.

The more variety, the better.

Collect fabrics including:

• Florals
• Batiks
• Polka dots
• Stripes
• Solids
• Tone-on-tone prints
• Modern prints
• Novelty prints

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String Width

Cut strips ranging between:

¾”

and

2″

Wide variation creates a more interesting composition.

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Background Foundation

Choose one:

• Muslin
• Lightweight cotton
• Foundation fabric
• Wash-away foundation
• Paper foundation (optional)

Most quilters prefer muslin because it remains inside the quilt.

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Batting

Thin cotton batting

or

80/20 cotton/poly blend

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Backing Fabric

One coordinating fabric large enough for each panel.

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Binding

2½-inch binding strips.

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Tools

• Rotary cutter
• Acrylic ruler
• Cutting mat
• Sewing machine
• Walking foot
• Quarter-inch foot
• Steam iron
• Pins or clips
• Fabric scissors
• Thread

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Cutting the Strings

Unlike traditional patchwork, perfection is unnecessary.

Cut strips:

Width:

¾”–2″

Length:

Any length longer than your panel width.

Do not worry if some strips are short.

They can be joined before sewing.

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Preparing the Foundation

Cut muslin rectangles.

Example:

8″ × 30″

8″ × 36″

8″ × 42″

8″ × 48″

Each rectangle becomes one hanging panel.

Leave extra fabric around the edges for trimming later.

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Choosing Colors

The photograph uses a balanced rainbow palette.

Notice that:

Every panel contains:

• warm colors
• cool colors
• lights
• mediums
• darks

Avoid grouping all similar colors together.

Scatter them randomly.

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Beginning the Panel

Place your first strip diagonally across the foundation.

The strip should run from one corner toward the opposite corner.

Do not place it horizontally or vertically.

Diagonal placement creates movement.

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Adding the Second Strip

Take another strip.

Place it:

Right Sides Together

along one edge of the first strip.

Sew using a ¼-inch seam.

Flip it open.

Press.

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Continue Building

Add another strip to the opposite side.

Sew.

Flip.

Press.

Continue alternating sides until the entire foundation is covered.

Some strips may extend beyond the foundation.

That is completely normal.

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Mixing Prints

Professional quilters avoid placing:

Two identical prints together.

Two large florals together.

Too many dark fabrics in one area.

Instead, alternate:

Large print

Small print

Solid

Busy print

Light

Dark

Repeat.

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Pressing

Press after every seam.

Lift the iron instead of sliding it.

Sliding can distort the diagonal strips.

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Covering the Entire Foundation

Continue until every corner of the foundation is completely covered.

No foundation should remain visible.

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Trimming

Turn the panel over.

Using the foundation as a guide,

trim away all excess fabric.

Your panel now has perfectly straight edges.

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Making Multiple Panels

Repeat the process for each hanging panel.

The project in the photograph uses several panels of different lengths to create a cascading effect.

Example:

• Panel 1 — 18″
• Panel 2 — 24″
• Panel 3 — 30″
• Panel 4 — 36″
• Panel 5 — 42″
• Panel 6 — 48″
• Panel 7 — 54″

You can adjust these dimensions to fit your wall space.

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Layering

For each panel:

Backing (wrong side up)

↓

Batting

↓

Pieced panel (right side up)

This creates the Quilt Sandwich.

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Basting

Secure the layers with:

Safety pins

or

Basting spray

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Quilting

The panels in the photograph appear to be quilted with straight-line diagonal quilting, following the direction of the string strips.

This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to quilt string piecing.

Using a walking foot:

Sew quilting lines approximately ½” to 1″ apart, keeping them parallel to the diagonal strips. This reinforces the design and adds texture without distracting from the colorful patchwork.

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Binding

Trim each quilted panel.

Attach double-fold binding.

Miter all four corners.

Hand-finish or machine-finish the binding.

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Hanging Sleeve

Cut a strip:

Approximately:

4″

wide

Length:

Equal to the finished width of each panel.

Fold lengthwise.

Sew into a tube.

Attach it to the back near the top edge.

The hanging rod passes through this sleeve, hiding the support from the front.

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Hanging Hardware

The example in your photo uses:

• A decorative metal curtain rod
• Individual curtain rings with clips

Each finished panel is clipped separately, allowing them to hang at different heights. This creates the elegant cascading effect without sewing the panels together.

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Professional Tips

• Keep your diagonal angle consistent across all panels (about 45°) for a cohesive look.
• Mix strip widths intentionally—very narrow strips add detail, while wider strips give the eye a place to rest.
• Include a few neutral fabrics to prevent the composition from becoming visually overwhelming.
• Press after every seam to keep the foundation flat and avoid distortion.
• Make the longest panel first, then use leftover strings for the shorter panels to reduce waste.
• Before hanging, arrange the panels on the floor and experiment with different lengths and color placement until the overall composition feels balanced.
• This project is an excellent way to use very small fabric scraps that are too narrow for traditional patchwork but still too beautiful to discard.