Wednesday, February 11, 2009

"Quilt As You Go" Block Tutorial


I have finally found time to put this tutorial together and if anyone is inspired to send me a few blocks then I'll put them together and donate them to the bush fire victims. These quilts are very easy for me to put together and cost very little as they all use up scraps.
Basically I cut a background fabric to 11" and place batting on it so
that it covers the fabric. I overlap the batting slightly if I'm using
strips. Then I place a long strip of fabric diagonally across the middle
of the block and pin it in place. I use strips which vary in size from
3/4" in width up to 3 " in width and the only rules are that I don't use the same string more than once in each block. Then I sew a strip each side of the
first strip and sew them down and then press them open, continuing until
the entire block is covered. I trim the blocks to 10.5" and then join
them together by placing two blocks backing sides together and pin them
in place. Then sew a 2.5" binding strip, which has been ironed in half,
across the seam line and sew through both blocks and binding strip. Then
unpin them and flatten the blocks and sew the binding down on the other
side. I sew them in a 5 x 7 setting and I also use a denim needle to
make it easier to sew through all the thicknesses. If anyone wants to
make even just a few blocks, then I'm happy to join them together into a
quilt. They don't have to be 10.5" in size as long as there are enough
to make a quilt. I usually start with a 10.5" or 11" piece of backing
fabric as I had a lot of donated sheeting pieces in those sizes.

There's no need to join the blocks together just send any blocks you can
get made and I'll do the rest.







13 comments:

Mary Johnson said...

Can I post the photo of this quilt and a link to your instructions on the HeartStrings blog? I'd like to direct people to your site and see if they can help make some blocks for you.

Is a link to your email address OK too?? I wouldn't post your mailing address on the blog but want to give people a way to contact you if they want to mail blocks in.

Anonymous said...

I understand the instructions to make the individual blocks. But I don't understand the instructions for assembling those blocks into a quilt. Is it possible to include pictures of that process as well? Thank you for your willingness to share this pattern. I love the idea of "quilt as you go".

Khris said...

Likes Susan I dont understand the construction of putting the blocks together as the quilt. It would be wonderful if you could show pics step by step for us dummies.
Khris

Nancy E said...

Your tutorial is perfect.... I even get the sashing part. It couldn't have come at a more perfect time, since my quilting group at church wanted a QAYG lesson at the March mtg. Thanks... We make all our quilts for charities, so this will help get our quilts done much faster.

Unknown said...

I'm with Khris and Susan- I don't understand how to join the blocks!

Kiwiquilter said...

I'd be happy to make some blocks for the bushfire victims. Where should they be sent? Thanks Marina, New Zealand

hetty said...

Very informative tutorial. I made a few blocks for the bushfire victims. Where can I sent them?
I'm in Canada.

Linda said...

Hi. I've made a bunch of blocks as well and need an address to send them to you, please!
Lurking Linda

Pam in KC said...

I found the directions from both Mary's and Carol E's blogs. So today I've work on some blocks. If you could send me your address, I'll be happy to send them to you.

Mary-Jeanine + Stefan said...

another idea: instead of 'hiding' the seams, sew them to the front as you would a raggedy quilt. Clip the seams, wash and dry and its a fun quilt. Also, sew a straight stitch around the perimeter about 1 inch in from the edge before clipping.

Just be sure your batting is sized one inch smaller on all sides than the backing so it doesn't peek into the seam allowance

Helen in the UK said...

I saved this link from when it was mentioned on HeartStrings list a while back. I've just started making my first batch of blocks for a quilt to donate locally. It is so satisfying to be able to use up batting scraps along with the fabric strings. Thanks so much for sharing your methods :)

James Fisher said...

What a wonderful, thoughtless task you have undertaken. Will ask the girs in our Patchwork group if they can assist you with your efforts.

amandajg said...

I find a quick spray with basting spray helps hold the batting scraps in place while sewing the first couple of strips. These blocks are very addictive.