Do you love the idea of quilt-as-you-go
but don't want to add strips between each block.
Then this direct joining technique is for you!
There are 3 key points to remember to make this easy to achieve
1. Several blocks can be joined into a strip of manageable size before quilting
2. Cut the backing & wadding at least 1" larger than the piece you are quilting
i.e. 9 1/2" square block requires minimum of 10 1/2" squares of backing & wadding
3. When quilting you leave at least a 1" margin unquilted around the edges of the piece
I quilted this project as 3 long strips of 4 joined blocks
When the quilting is finished it is time to trim up
First trim the wadding back to to the edge of the block
If you have cut the backing 1" larger than the block you will not need to trim it.
In this photo I had been more generous and needed to trim the backing back to 1/2" along the edge that I would be joining to the next strip
Join the fronts right sides together with a 1/4"seam.
Ensure the wadding & backing are flipped out of the way.
NB: Remember Key point 3 -
If you have quilted to the edges of the block it is not
possible to join the fronts in this way!
View from the back while making 1/4" seam
View from the back after pressing seam.
With the edges of the backing still folded out of the way, smooth the wadding into place with one layer on top of the other. Carefully cut away excess wadding with scissors so that the edges of the wadding meet exactly.
Finish the backing by smoothing one side flat over the wadding.
Then with the edge folded under, position the other backing on top so that the folded edge is on top of the seam underneath. Use a ruler if you need.
Pin fold in place and handstitch closed with invisible stitches.
Note: Don't stitch through the wadding if you need to add another piece to this edge.
This quilt and its borders were assembled using the direct joining technique.
Back view of quilt showing machine quilting & handstitched joins.
Please try this technique and vary it to suit your project and your skill level. I often go back and add some lines of quilting across the joins. Any edge that won't be joined to another can be quilted closer to the edge for example the binding edge of the borders in my photo. This quilt was a UFO for a long time because I chose a brushed cotton backing fabric that frayed badly and was very difficult to work with. On the other hand it is a lovely soft and snuggly finish so I am glad that I perservered.
Hi Linda, this looks a great idea to finish a quilt easily and I like your crazy stitch pattern! I am busy Digital Designing at the moment but want to one day get back to finishing off my Patchwork Quilt that I started years ago. Thanks for the tips and I'll be back at a later stage.
ReplyDeleteI have used your method to a point. First i butt the batting strips together and zig zag them. I join the back fabric the same way you explained how to do the front join. Then put your front fabrics together and join them. Smooth all the layers really good, put in a few pins and begin quilting. I also sew 3 or 4 blocks together, depending on their size. Usually my quilt is done in columns.I find this a very easy method.
ReplyDeleteI'm just beginning quilting and am totally lost at some of the instructions. I think I'll stick to small quilts and quilted bags until I learn how to handle the strips and blocks. Your directions were very clear and I appreciate you for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteIs there any way to join without hand stitching?
ReplyDeleteleave a larger seam allowace on the backing, then blind hem. Or if you're really careful, fold so that the baking fold is 1/8" past the from seam, then stitch in the ditch from the front.
DeleteI think this would work. Quilt the first column, leaving the one inch edge unquilted, zig zag the next batting column onto first one. Next with thr free edges, sew the top price onto the next top column by machine, do same to backing after. It probably doesn’t matter what order but I think it would look neater joining the top first. Continue by quilting this column including any unquilted first edge. Continue joining columns and quilting in this manner. This way you should only have the bigger side of the quilt on the left of your sewing machine.
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DeleteI use this method too! I join the front and back strips to the front and back strip I have already quilted first and then I butt up the backing strip to the one already quilted and zig zag them together last so there is less bulk to work with. I like to start in the center alternating adding to one side then the other. All the bulk is still on the left side! AWESOME!!!
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ReplyDeleteAt what point do you press (fold) the edge of the backing? And how wide?
ReplyDeleteInstructions don't say
I am in the middle of a quag and have a question. After quilting my first column when i went to join the second column (not yet quilted) the first column had shrunk ! EVERYTHING is off by an inch! I am scared to quilt the second before attaching for fear that it wont line up. What did i do wrong? How can i fix it? Right not i am thinking of modifying the second column then attaching it then quilting,is this correct? Please help..
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