Explore the Quilt as You Go Technique!
You’ll start off with basic instructions on the technique with a basic project to practice on, moving on towards a little more advanced project and technique exploration in the deep dive.
You’ll be able to share your hints, tips and experience- plus get some help along the way!
These technique focuses are typically 3-4 months long, but you can take as much time or not as you’d like.
Focus tracking sheets
Track your learning and progress of the quilt as you go technique with the focus tracking sheets.
Share them with us in the community!
Quilt As You Go – Basics
The Quilt as You Go technique is a lot of fun. Whether you are trying it out for the first time or becoming pretty good at the method, it’s something everyone can do.
The idea is that when you are finished with the top, you are finished with the quilt. But, did you know that the quilt as you go method isn’t just for quilts?
I have found that it’s great for smaller projects– like table runners, mug rugs, bags and more.
To start you off let’s begin with a quick how to or the process:
- First you’ll gather all your supplies- including the fabric your using for the top, the backing fabric and the batting.
- Next you’ll layer the backing and the batting – with the wrong side of the fabric touching the batting.
- Lastly, you’ll sew your fabrics, quilt blocks, or whatever your project calls for on the batting side. You’ll be sewing through all the layers at the same time.
Materials needed for this technique:
* fabric scraps
* fabric for your back
Quilt as you go Tutorial:
1) Cut your fusible fleece a little larger than the finished size you need. The project I was working on used a 8″ X 10″ size. {You will trim down later}
* the reason I use fusible fleece- it holds the backing fabric while you are working on the top. If you don’t have it you can substitute it for regular batting and use pins or a spray adhesive.
2) Cut your back the same size as the fleece. Using the instructions provided, fuse the fleece to the wrong side of the backing fabric
3) Place a scrap -right sides facing up on the fleece side
4) Place another scrap -right sides facing the first scrap. Match one length of edge and pin in place
5) Sew along the matching edge, trim any extra fabric underneath if needed
6) Flip open and iron
7) Place another scrap- right sides facing. Match one legth of edge and pin in place
8) Continue steps 5-7 until you have covered the fleece
9) Iron well
10) If you’d like you can go back and sew some additional lines – just for finishing look sake
11) Trim the edges to the size you had decided on in step 1
Quilt as you Go Hints & Tips~
* use a fusible batting if you can- this will help minimize shifting while you are stitching or quilting. Fuse the batting to the backing of the fabric- if the top is being pieced together
* Cut your backing and batting just a bit bigger than the top. When you are finished piecing it and quilting, trim the block to the specific size needed. Sometimes things shift and if you measure correctly and trim before starting you might find your pieces just shy of the correct size because of it. Save yourself some trouble and start bigger, then trim.
* Try using a busy print for the backing fabric. There will be seams in the back where the blocks are sewn together. A busy pattern can help hide things, so audition a few fabrics before starting.
* If a layer that you are sewing is much lighter then the fabric is going on top of and you can see through, use a second piece of white fabric or muslin underneath the piece you are adding to cover it up.
Quilt As You Go Projects
Quilt As You Go – Deep Dive
Today we will be exploring quilt as you go a little bit deeper.
There are great videos out there walking you through the process….and notice that there are a couple of different ways you can do quilt as you go with quilts!
Method 1– quilt each block individually, sew the blocks together and finish with a sashing on the back that covers up the seams.
Method 2– quilt each block individually, sew the blocks together and finish like a regular quilt with backing. Add a little bit of quilting to keep the blocks from shifting and bind.
There are a few additional methods that will allow you to do larger sashing pieces and by rows.
So many options!
You’ll find another project you can try quilt as you go on – Twisted Ribbon Table Runner. When sewing this project you can have the backing fabric on the batting or not- depending on how you want to finish it.