Quilt As You Go - Joining the Blocks

1.  Fold batting and backing back from seam line.  Pin if desired.

2.  Join two pieced blocks together.  Continue joining blocks in rows as wide as required.

3.  Trim batting even with seam line.  Trim backing on right hand side to slightly overlap seam line. 

4.  Bring backing from left side to cover seam and edge of batting/backing.  Fold under seam allowance and pin in place. 

5.  Sew down the edge either by hand or machine. 

6.  Join rows together in the same manner.

     I like to finish the back by laying lattice strips over the seams.

     The finishing by this method is time consuming so I have adapted the concept.  I divide the finished top into quarters and quilt each quarter.  This makes it easier to manipulate in the machine without having to fight the weight of the entire quilt.  After quilting all four quarters, I then join them together as above.

     My only problem with this method is that I am so anxious to see the finished top I join it together just to look, then I have to go back and rip out the seams to do the quilting.  I guess I need to learn patience. 

The Frustrations of Quilting

     I've told my students over the years that the fabric is out to get me and this past two weeks has proven my point.  Well, not just the fabric but my mindless pursuit of my hobby.
     I started both of the quilts I posted a coule weeks ago, the red ones.  The one with the stars is coming along nicely.  Everything is falling into place just as it should.  The other one, however, Tree Everlasting, is a different kettle of fish.
     I was determined to make these two quilts perfect.  I drew every cutting line and marked every seam line.  The sewing went perfectly.   I completed the first row of 25 half square triangles, added the plain strip and then went to add the second row of half square triangles.  Guess what?  The second row took 26 half square triangles.  Okay.  I fixed that.  Then I began sewing more half square triangles.
      My sewing machine is set up so that the needle rests to the left of center and I have to select the stitch I want to use.  I keep forgetting this and after sewing about 50 half square triangles I noticed that the seam line was set left of center.  So I had to go back. rip out every one of the squares and resew them.
     I decided I needed a break from this so I went back to finish a Pinwheel I had started a couple of years ago.  Don't you know I did the exact same thing again, twice.  So instead of making progress on these quilts I've spent most of my time ripping seams and resewing them.  
     I'm not giving up.   I only have five more rows or 21 blocks to finish this quilt, and I am going to finish it.
      I think I mentioned that I cut leftover pieces into triangles that will measure 2".  I have a whole box full of these and I chose to try to use up all these scraps  As I'm nearing the end of the quilt, I noticed that it makes a great history of fabric.  The fabrics range from the 1970's through last year.  Unfortunately, I haven't made a very big dent in the box.  I've already finished two tops using this stash, and  I have two others in various stages of finishing.  I'm also trying to design a medallion to use up even more.  Maybe someday I'll use them all.

Quilt As You Go

     I think I've made it clear that my least favorite part of quilting is the actual quilting so I jumped on the quilt as you go method as soon as I saw it.

    The original method was to quilt each block as you completed it.  Then you set the blocks together as they are finished.  Which creates the problem of setting all those blocks together neatly.  I've adapted this method by dividing the quilt top into quarters, quilting each quarter, then setting them together in the final quilt.  This makes it easier to manipulate the quilt through the machine.

     A second quilt as you go method is to quilt as you piece the block.  I like this method even though I have the setting the blocks together at the end problem, which I will cover in my next blog.

      This block has several names, Economy, Hour Glass, This and that, Thrift Block and Shoofly, all of which indicate a scrap quilt.  I would make this a 6" or 8" block.  Once you have decided on block size, cut a square of batting 1" larger and a backing square 2" larger than the finished block.  Mark as shown below to find center for aligning first patch.

     Position the center square on the batting/backing square.  Lay the uppper left half square triangle, right sides together, over the center square.  Stitch in place.  Open out and position upper right triangle in place, right sides together and stitch.  Continue around the square until all pieces are sewn.  The block is done.

Important:  Do not stitch beyone the seam line.  The seams must be left free in order to join the blocks together.

          Although I haven't tried it, I think this method could be adapted to paper pieced quilts.