Slow-Stitched Scrappy String Quilt - first steps

This is a really easy and relaxing way to use up even the teeniest scraps of fabric and trims to make something beautiful.
The whole project will be completed using simple hand-stitching - you can use fancier stitches if you like, or just do the whole thing with running stitches.
Any kinds of fabric scraps will work, also snippets of ribbon, lace, fibres and so on. You can also add beads, sequins, shisha .... whatever floats your boat!
My finished piece will be around 36cm x 48cm (15" x 20"), but you can make yours whatever size you like. When it's done, we can choose whether to turn it into a hanging, a folded book, a journal wrap, or maybe a little needle case if you kept it small - there are lots of possibilities.
So, get rummaging through your stash and join me on a fun new slow-stitching adventure :)
The gorgeous reclaimed Indian fabrics I'm using came from Bazaar -
www.bazaarshop...
You'll find them in the Crafts section. Remember to put "Arty Farty Annie Treat" in the add-a-note bit at checkout to get your little extra doodad!
Here's a link to Contrado where you can get the free fabric ends for cost of delivery only, currently £5.49 - www.contrado.c...
Here's that link to Lynie's channel as promised -
/ @iamlynie1
Also my linktree so you can find your way to the Discord and the Facebook group, say hello and show us all what you're creating -
linktr.ee/arty...

[@jessicapearson9479]

This would be nice as a full sized quilt!! I think I'll follow you and make a quilt out of scraps like this! I'll call it a messy fin quilt!! And add to it every time I end up with little scraps!!

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you Jessica - yes it would be amazing to do a full-size quilt like this, I think if I did I'd make it without the raw edges though, as it is a lot of work stitching over all those edges to blend them together and lose the joins (you'll see what I mean in later videos in this series) . You've given me an idea now, maybe I'll do another series working on a full-size one, using a slightly different method. As you say, it would be lovely to add to it each time you have a batch of scraps to use, it would be a reminder of all your different projects. Hmmmm .... watch this space, thanks for the idea :)

[@Craftaartissaurus]

Love this. Bit busy at the moment but will join along. Maybe I could do an hour here or there.

[@artyfartyannie]

Thanks Paula. Maybe make a smaller one with just say six or nine squares, which you could turn into a needlecase or something later? I'm finding I can easily finish one basic square in half an hour with just the running stitches and honestly it doesn't need to be more complicated than that. I'll show some of the ones I've made already in the FB group and Discord to give you an idea :)

[@createandcraftwithchristine]

Hello Annie from a new subscriber and thanks so much for sharing this fun idea. Definitely adding it to the creative list! If people are in Melbourne, Australia they can get really affordable fabrics from the Reverse Art Truck which has masses of fabric samples from around the world. I’ve shared quite a lot of videos using goodies from the Reverse Art Truck. Cheers, Christine in Australia

[@artyfartyannie]

Welcome Christine and thanks for the tip, I'll add that to the links in the description box and mention it next time. That sounds like a fabulous resource, wish we had one here. I'm off to check out your channel now! :)

[@Kayenne54]

More (lots more!) work for the volunteers, but it would be ever so useful for them to have an online store so fabric samples can be obtained for those who don't live in Melbourne. I'm so jealous. I used to live near an upholstery store, and would stare at the fabric samples and think "there must be something I could make with those" but didn't have time, with full time work and kids too, back then. Now I've got the time, and no handy little store nearby...

[@smallmeadow1]

I love this. I'm in the US and wish those fabric selections were available here. Thank you.

[@artyfartyannie]

Ah yes trouble is that even if they were happy to send them to you, the cost of postage can make it too expensive. If you do find anywhere dong something similar in the US, please do let me know so I can share it in the Discord community and FB group as I know lots of other people have said the same thing :)

[@lesleynitschke4858]

OMG 1 year ago, I couldn't believe it when I noticed the thumbnail of this vid on my side bar scrolly bit haha you know that bit over there 👉👉and I went ooh goodie Annie has done another stringy quilt and then noticed the date. I scrolled thru the comments and saw lots of names of peeps I know now a little better, you included 😋😋

[@artyfartyannie]

Ah blast from the past eh?! And how funny to look back and see people you have since got to know in the groups or swapped squares with - I haven't even thought of the swap at that point and our whole community has really blossomed since then hasn't it? Thanks for the reminder Lesley xo

[@KoolKookyKreatures]

Ooh I spy a Laurel Burch fabric in your lovely pile of gorgeousness :). I’m going to join in with this when I’ve finished packing up some kits xx

[@artyfartyannie]

Please do Tori, I'd love to see what you do with this idea! Ah that must be one of the scraps left from the lovely parcel that Jacquie sent me I reckon, there were so many lovely pieces in that parcel, it's brought me so much happiness using them and I still have loads left! I went through all my fabric stash yesterday, reorganised it all, stroked every piece as I went along and every single piece sparked joy :)

[@KoolKookyKreatures]

@@artyfartyannie I completely get that Annie - the joy that you get from fabrics! It’s lovely to stroke them - I also talk to mine sometimes but that’s another story 😊 x

[@fabulousjaxx]

Brilliant idea Annie you're really knocking it out of the park at the moment xx

[@artyfartyannie]

Thanks so much Jacquie 😊 that makes me very happy, I'm really enjoying it too :) xo

[@fayneilly833]

Thanks Annie love it, I should really do this . Wee will see

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you Fay - I really hope you do, maybe just a wee needle case version :)

[@suebulford]

Hi Annie another fun project looking forward to watching your progress, love the idea of using up scraps of all sorts. 🌹🌹🌹

[@artyfartyannie]

Thanks so much Sue! 😊I'll be back tomorrow with a quick catch-up of how my squares are looking so far, to give you a better idea. This evening I plan to sort out my awful mess of a ribbon box and then I can use up some of those as well. I've thrown all sorts in there, it needs sorting out and using up so this is a perfect opportunity :)

[@jennysutton9886]

Hi Annie what a great project thank you 🙂

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you Jenny! 😊 I think I'm really going to enjoy making this and using up all those bits, and then I'll have to make one with old jeans, calico and vintage lace, cos I have loads of that as well :) If you try this yourself, please do share pics, I always love to see what people create, especially if inspired by one of my projects :)

[@lindabonomi7274]

Beautiful!!!

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you!! :)

[@GezButterworth]

Beginners question Annie, do the little scraps slightly over lap before stitching. Thanks 😊

[@artyfartyannie]

Yes, I would overlap them slightly, and then when you add the decorative stitching over the top it melds everything together and covers any gaps - trust the process! Very happy to answer any questions as you go along :)

[@GezButterworth]

Thank you so much ❤@@artyfartyannie

[@AndyAndyAndyP]

Never done this before so really look forward to watching and will hopefully be joining in! Ordered from Contrado too. Between that and Bazaar will soon be drowning in fabric 😃 Great idea Annie 👍

[@artyfartyannie]

Welcome aboard! This is pretty straightforward even for a beginner stitcher, I bet you'll soon be hooked. I'll be back tomorrow to show how my squares are looking so far to give you a better idea, I'll also suggest ways to adapt the project to suit you - it really can be as small and simple or larger and more elaborate as you like and you'll find you can use up all sorts of odds and ends. I hope you'll give it a go and share some pics as you go along, I always love to see what people are making :)

[@user-cl7ef5kn9g]

This is lovely .I am doing my project it's going very slowly but it's so enjoyable .🙂I will definitely try this when I have more colour scraps

[@artyfartyannie]

Thanks Diane, I'm so pleased you like it and I'm really happy that you're enjoying your project - it is called slow stitching for a reason, so just enjoy the process at your own pace and see where it takes you, that's what I love most about it, it's just so easy-going. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you create :)

[@ScrappinlizziArt]

Hi Annie, I am a new subscriber and I am so happy I have found you. I also have a channel where I do a great bunch of crazy things but mostly just scraps. That is why my name is Scrappinlizzi. I love raw edges too! I had to right away cut myself a two and a half inch square and started stitching even before I was finished watching your video. Now I am off to see what else I can find on your channel! Blessings to you.

[@artyfartyannie]

Hey Lizzi, thank you for subscribing, I'm happy you found me too and so glad you like the idea of the scrappy string quilts. Looks like you have a lot of stuff I'd enjoy on your channel too, so I've just subscribed and will enjoy catching up on some of your videos later - see you there :)

[@maryannscheblein-dawson9202]

This was a great project. Does anyone know if there is a scrap shopping equivalent in the US??? Thanks!

[@grannysue1509]

Another wonderful idea! Thank you ❤

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you Sue - yes if I do say so myself, I really love this idea and I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far. I'll be back tomorrow with a catch-up to show you how my squares are looking so far and give some ideas for how the project could be adapted to suit different people. Thanks again for the kind words :)

[@szelop]

Cute & fun!

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you very much! :)

[@nancydale7367]

I'm in the usa - and i love this idea!! What a fun video! But I was wondering what a Bizarre Pack is?? I'm a very very beginner slow stitcher, and this looks so pretty!!

[@artyfartyannie]

Hi Nancy, it's a pack of recycled fabrics from India, which I buy from a company based in the UK called Bazaar. The details are in the description box to this video, along with a code to get a little extra treat if you order. Having said that, I don't kjnow if they shop to the US or how much that would cost, you would have to check with them. They're very helpful if you email them :)

[@KatherineBarnfield-eb1bh]

I love this idea, I will give it a go. I have been doing string quilting and didn't realise it, although my little squares may not quite line up like they are meant to

[@artyfartyannie]

Oooh lovely, I'm so glad you're going to give it a go Katherine, I hope you'll share some pics so I can see how yours turns out. I'm not going to worry at all about things lining up, it's going to be kind of controlled higgledy-piggledy! I love how the final result isn't predictable and you can get different effects depending on how you arrange the squares. Tomorrow I'll be back with a quick look at how my squares are looking so far, to give you a better idea of where I'm going and some more ideas for how you could adapt the project. Thanks for joining in :)

[@KatherineBarnfield-eb1bh]

@@artyfartyannie ooh I like the term controlled higgledy-piggledy, I may use that. My quilt will be a mix of pre-cut squares and some scrappy string squares so I think it will look interesting by the time I am done

[@Iamlynie1]

Wow Annie, love this idea using up the smallest of pieces. Can I also say a massive thank you for the shout out to my channel, you made some lovely comments, bless you 🥰🥰

[@artyfartyannie]

You are so welcome Lynie, I love your channel, it's full of inspiration and ideas and I like your chat! Glad you like this idea too - I've sorted through my messy ribbon box now too and retrieved a few more bits I can use :)

[@Iamlynie1]

@@artyfartyannie our creative brains never stop 💕💕

[@juliegolub2602]

Love this idea😍

[@artyfartyannie]

Thank you so much Julie, I love it too, if I do say so myself! :D So far, it's been really easy and fun and I always love using up those tiny scraps. I'll be back tomorrow to show how my squares are looking sor far, watch this space! :)

[@AngeeHorner-j9h]

I would love to be apart of your project. What do I need to know and I’m ready and excited to start. Thank you

[@artyfartyannie]

Hi, that's wonderful - if you mean this Scrappy String Quilt project, I think it's explained in the vid and further guidance/instructions are given in subsequent videos which I've put in this playlist if you would like to follow along - kzbin.info/aero/PLPAE7ERrO1XrcMaGlfJbOlyeqe4R0VqM9 If you go to my link tree in the description box, you can find the Discord community and Facebook group, where you will be able to find more inspiration, share your progress and ask any questions you may have. Hope that helps - happy stitching :)

[@christinedunn1134]

Can we order a bazaar pack

[@artyfartyannie]

You can buy them from the Bazaar website Christine - I put the link in the description box :)

[@mafish7962]

❤❤❤

[@artyfartyannie]

Thanks Laura! :)

[@youmefpp]

Can you share link for lamlynie1 I’ve searched and can’t find her

[@artyfartyannie]

I've put a link in the description box - the one I'd put before wasn't working, but it should be fine now :)

[@youmefpp]

@@artyfartyannie thank you