I’m here with Part 5 of the quilt-as-you-go tutorial in our quilt-a-long!
If you are following the Quilt~as~you~Go method this post covers joining the rows! Yahoo! Home Stretch!
Need the pattern? Find it here:
Power of Nine Quilt Pattern
You can find the instructions on completing a quilted block (part 1), a spacer block (part 2), joining blocks and spacers into a row (part 3) OR making the spacer row (part 4) with the qaug method in previous posts.
Materials you will need:
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Quilted Rows ~ Two Completed Rows of full blocks and spacer blocks (part 3)
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Spacer Rows ~ At least one spacer row complete (part 4)
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Sashing Strips – At least two for quilt top and two for quilt back , read Part 4 for cutting the top strips and see below for cutting the strips for the back of the quilt.
Quilt as You Go ~ Notes:
A walking foot for your machine is highly recommended.
This method will require additional fabric for attaching the blocks ~ (see previous post).
Lets look at our quilt diagram below. Notice the dark grey ‘sashing’ between all the blocks and spacers of the quilt top in the graphic below. In this post I will be covering how to join two Rows with a Spacer Row using this narrow sashing (for joining).
Let’s get started!
Here is a picture of two rows (3 and 4) already joined by a spacer row and sashing strips so you can see how this will look when it comes together.
We will be joining these rows using an alternate method from what we did in Part 3 when we joined the blocks into rows. I have found this method to be easier when working with these long sections.
You will still need four sashing strips for joining. Two for the quilt front and two for the quilt back:
FRONT STRIPS: The two strips for the quilt front will measure only 1″ x width of the quilt.
BACK STRIPS: The two for the back will measure 1 1/2″ x width of the quilt. Press these strips in half lengthwise with the right side out (like you would a binding strip).
We will start by sewing all four sashing strips to the spacer row. Place the two strips coordinating with the quilt top (white) right sides together along the long edges of the spacer row top (also white). Place the two 1 1/2″ (folded and pressed) strips you’ve chosen for the back along the pieced side of the spacer row, raw edges at sides. Pin well.
Sew along both long edges of the spacer row with a scant 1/4″ seam allowance, securing long strips in place.
Press only the white strips away from the quilted spacer row. Then place it right (front) sides together with one of your block rows and sew 1/4″ seam along long edge…
Flip it open and your top is joining strip is complete.
Turn to the back side and press strip away from spacer row so it covers the back seam where the quilted sections but up against each other…
Here is a closer look…
Now hand stitch that strip in place just like you would sew a binding, only catching the backing fabric and batting (don’t sew through to the top).
Go ahead and repeat the process adding another block row to the other side of the spacer row…
Done!
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What did you do for the border? I like this tutorial.
Love your tutorial! The colors and fabrics are gorgeous!!!! …and Quilt As You Go is amazing! So rewarding to have a finished project and not have to send it out for quilting! :)
Going to give this a try. Good way to save money on sending off to have quilted. I think I will start small like a mugrug or potholder. Thanks for such great directions.
I am a dressmaker – not a quilter. But I tried this method on a very small project using other tutorials and found success. Now these tutorials are so much more clear and its great that they take you from start to finish. I will be trying a larger project! Good luck to you.