Are you interested in learning how to quilt as you go? This is a great technique for beginners and experienced quilters alike. Quilting as you go allows you to complete your quilt top one section at a time, making the process more manageable and less overwhelming.
Plus, it’s a great way to add embellishments and personalize your quilt without having to stitch everything together at the end. In this post, we’ll share some tips on how to quilt as you go so you can get started on your next project!
How to Quilt an Entire Quilt as You Go
Quilting as you go (QAYG) is a great way to finish a quilt top quickly. It’s also a good way to use up scraps of fabric. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by piecing together your quilt top like usual. If you’re using scraps, piece them together randomly or in a pattern.
- Once your quilt top is finished, lay it out flat on a table or the floor.
- Place your batting on top of the quilt top and smooth it out.
- Start at one end of the quilt and begin sewing through all three layers, using a long stitch length so that you can easily rip out the stitches later if necessary. Sew slowly and smoothly, making sure that the fabric doesn’t bunch up or get caught in the machine.
- As you sew, periodically stop and check that the fabric is lying flat and that there are no puckers or bunches forming anywhere in the project. If everything looks good, keep sewing until you reach the end of the quilt; if not, make adjustments and then keep going.
- Once you reach the end of the quilt, remove it from the machine and take a look at your handiwork! You should now have a completed quilt top with batting attached – all ready for binding and finishing!
Quilt As You Go Joining Techniques
Joining techniques for quilting have come a long way in recent years, and the Quilt as You Go method is one of the easiest and most popular ways to join quilts. This technique allows you to sew your quilt top and batting together in sections, making it much easier to handle than a traditional quilt. There are several different ways to join your Quilt as You Go sections, but we’ll focus on two of the most popular methods: the strip method and the block method.
The strip method is probably the easiest way to join your Quilt as You Go sections. Simply sew your strips of fabric together along their long edges, then stitch the strips together end-to-end. Once you’ve joined all of your strips, you’ll have one large piece that can be easily attached to your backing fabric.
The block method is a bit more time-consuming, but it results in a cleaner finish. To use this method, start by sewing your blocks together along their sides (as you would with any other quilt). Then, stitch these blocks together end-to-end, just as you did with the strip method.
The only difference is that you’ll now have rows of blocks instead of strips. Once again, simply attach this large piece to your backing fabric and you’re done! Both of these methods produce excellent results, so it really comes down to personal preference.
Whichever technique you choose, Quilt-as-You-Go is a great way to simplify the process of joining quilts!
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FAQ
What Is The Quilt As You Go Method?
The quilt-as-you-go method is a type of quilting in which each patch or block of fabric is sewn together one at a time, before being attached to the rest of the quilt. This method can be used for piecing together both traditional and modern quilts. It is often considered to be a faster and easier way to piece a quilt than sewing all of the blocks together first and then attaching them to each other.
Is Quilt As You Go Easier?
No definitive answer exists to this question as it depends on individual preferences and skill sets. Some people find quilt-as-you-go (QAYG) easier because it breaks the quilting process into manageable steps. Others find traditional piecing easier because it requires less prep work and allows for more spontaneity in the design process.
Ultimately, what matters most is what works best for you and your unique quilting style.
How Do You Assemble A Quilt As You Go?
The materials Needed:
Quilt top Batting or flannel backing (whichever you prefer)
Binding fabric
Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler OR scissors and straight pins
Thread (preferably in a color that will blend with your fabric)
Sewing machine with a ¼” piecing foot attached OR needle and thread
1. Begin by cutting your backing fabric into strips that are 3” wide. If using batting, cut it into strips that are 4” wide. You will need enough strips to go the entire length of your quilt top plus 6”.
2. Lay one strip of backing/batting perpendicular to another strip of backing/batting.
The long edges should be touching each other forming a “L” shape. Pin the two pieces together at the intersection point in the center of the L shape.
3. Sew the two strips together using a ¼” seam allowance, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam.
Continue adding strips until all of your backing/batting is used up. You should now have one long strip that is the length of your quilt top plus 12” (6” extra on each side).
4. Fold this strip in half lengthwise so that all raw edges are touching each other and pin along both long sides, making sure all raw edges are even with each other
5. Sew both pinned sides together using a ¼” seam allowance, again making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end
6. Open up this tube so that it lays flat then find the center point along one side
7. Place this tube good side down on top of your quilt top also good side down aligning one raw edge with an edge on your quilt top
8. Pin these two layers together at several points along this raw edge
9. Find the center point on this same side of your tube
10. Measure 2 ½ “ out from this point in both directions then draw a line connecting these dots (should look like an upside-down T)
11. Cut along this line
12. Do not remove any pins
13. Now take one end of what you just cut off
14. Place it good sides together lining up all raw edges
15. Pin these layers together
16. Sew them together using a ¼’ seam allowance
17. Press seams open
18. Trim away any excess batting leaving about ½ “ beyond where you sewed
19. Continue attaching the remaining sections in the same manner
20. When finished trim away any excess batting from the outside edge
21. Quilt as desired
22. To make binding – Cut 2 1/2 wide strips paralleling grainline around the entire perimeter
23. Join binding strips diagonally
24. Press joining seams open
25. Fold binding in half wrong sides facing
26. press fold
27. Finish attaching binding in the usual manner”
How Do You Finish A Quilt As You Go?
There are a few different ways that you can finish a quilt as you go. The first way is to simply stitch the blocks together and then add the borders as you go along. This is a great way to finish a quilt if you are short on time or if you want to be able to use the quilt right away.
Another way to finish a quilt as you go is to stitch the blocks together and then add the batting and backing. This method will take longer, but it will give you a finished quilt that you can use right away. The third way to finish a quilt as you go is to stitch the blocks together, add the batting and backing, and then quilt it.
This method will take even longer, but it will give you a beautiful finished quilt that will last for years.
Conclusion
This quilting method is perfect for those who don’t have a lot of time or patience. You can quilt as you go by simply attaching your quilt top to batting and backing, then stitching in the ditch around the perimeter of each block. When you’re finished, you’ll have a completed quilt top that’s ready to be bound.
