"Strip Tease"
(named by Mary E. of San Francisco)
 
This is the basic 48 strip quilt without any borders.

With this quilt you want an **even** number of rows across the quilt to get even "peaks" or points so you get that zig-zag look.  You can add as many rows across as you want as long as they come out to an even number. 

For plain borders you can have as many diamonds down as you want to increase the size of your quilt. 

(I say this because for the "built-in" borders you need to have uneven number of rows down)

Remember one strip for every 7-8 diamonds (or whatever you seem to average).  This size quilt will take 320 single diamonds.  If you get 7 cuts from each set you will need 48 strips of fabric. If you can get more cuts from a strip you will need less strips.  This is one of those quilts where it is an "about" amount. You may have a few extra but it is just the start of another quilt!
A chart for making larger size quilts is here.  Remember one strip for every 7-8 diamonds (or whatever amount of diamond sections you seem to average per strip).
You can get about 7-8 diamonds from one strip set of fabric. Fabrics vary in width, and the way you stagger the strips when you sew will make a difference in how many you get,  so your mileage may vary. Figure your "diamonds per strip" on what you are averaging. 

So, you can figure additional size that way.  For every 7-8 diamonds you need for your size quilt ( or what you are getting per strip), add one strip to the amount you will need. 

Each diamond row across will add 3 inches to the width of the quilt.

The basic quilt without borders  will be approximately 48" x 63". 

You can add a plain border all around, a pieced border of your choosing all around, or you can add the "built in" border below.  The "built in" border is added as you sew your quilt panels together and is is fun and easy. 


To add a plain border, measure your quilt through the center for the length and the width. You get a truer measurement when you measure through the center instead of at the edges where the quilt can stretch.  And this quilt will have mostly biased edges on the outside anyway because of the diamonds. 

In order to add a plain border, you will trim off the top and bottom "peaks" of the diamonds at the "dip". 

There is more information for adding plain borders on the Lone Star page.  (use your browser "back" button to get back here as this is on a different web page!)

And here is an excellent web page on another site, written by Marsha Pence, on how to finish quilts.  (use your browser's back button to get back to here)
"Strip Tease" with built in borders.
For the "built in borders" you HAVE TO HAVE UNEVEN rows of the scrappy diamonds down the length of your quilt to make the blue/yellow rows come out right to the bottom border!

You always have even rows across no matter what quilt you make, but I will say it again in a different color... For the "built in borders" you HAVE TO HAVE UNEVEN rows of the scrappy diamonds down your quilt! 
How do I know so well this rule of  UNEVEN ROWS DOWN THE QUILT  FOR THE "built in border"?  Because  when I did mine the first time, I didn't  realize that,  and I had to take off the last  diamond on each of the rows  across  before I could sew on the side borders!   Been there... done that!


The strip quilt with the "built in  border" will be approximately  60" x 78". 

So if you are getting 7-8 diamond sets per strip you will need about 48 strips of assorted fabrics.

The built in borders will require you to  have some more yardage below. 


What you want to use where I have the pink: Four strips 3.5" x 44" 
Two strips for the top and two for the  bottom. 

What you want to use where I have the   blue:     Twelve  strips = 1 1/4 yard. 
(It comes out to exactly 42 inches,  but you   know that with shrinkage and crooked  cuts  you will need a little more. If you are  really scarce on the fabric you want to use,  squeeze it out it if you can.) 

Two strips  for the top and two for the bottom. Four strips for for the left side and four strips for the right side. 

What you want to use where I have the yellow:  Twelve  strips = 1 1/4 yard. 
Same as blue. 

All for now... I need a big cuppa herbal tea, mab
 
Introduction and objective 1)  Supplies and fabric needs  2) Basic quilt / quilt with "built-in borders"

2b) standard matress sizes

 3) Larger quilt chart 4) Sew your strips together
5) Press your strips 6) Sub-cut your strips 7) Sew your diamond rows together 8) Sew your diamond rows together,  page 2 9) Admire the work of these "frenz" and see their "stripper quilt" pic's!
Back to  Main Frenzy Page
Back to Mary Ann's Cyberspace Quilt Page (my personal web page)