I'm hoping admin doesn't shoot me with this entry. Not sure the gallery was designed to handle this kind of abuse...grin. But I wanted to illustrate my quilt-as-you-go technique. It's not the traditional approach you see when searching the internet.
Basically I started with two blocks in the center. Then I quilt, Then add a round, then quilt, etc. On this one I have three more rounds before I'm done. These rounds are a variety of things...have to keep me motivated. The center blocks are traditional Navajo blocks (hence the name). The next round of blocks were paper pieced. My first ever project paper piecing. I must admit that once my befuddled mind grasped the concept, I began to save time (not so much ripping....lol) and I really enjoyed it. Then a small thin strip border and at the moment my last round is the Navajo block. You'll have to stay tuned for the remaining blocks. I'll keep adding to this post as it grows...
As you can see, Sunny managed to get himself in the picture again. I finally succombed after he managed to get parts of himself in about 18 of the 20 shots I took. Most of them were on the floor. When the rest of the gang joined in, (2 dogs and other cat) I moved to the couch.....
More to follow....I just finished cutting all the pieces for the next round of squares. Our web guru, Mike suggested I include the quilt as you go comment up here in the main section so it's all together.
Quilt-As-You-Go
I plan to take pictures as I attach the next round to the quilt to illustrate. In the interim, here’s what I do…
- Once I’ve assembled a side and am ready to attach, I cut the batting and backing to about 2 to 3 inches larger on three of the sides. This way there is no danger of not having enough fabric after quilting…nothing is more frustrating than running short on the back side. I do the same thing when I do the traditional layering of a quilt top to batting and backing….the ole you can cut it down but can’t put it back theory….grin.
- Dealing with the top piece only, I lay it face down on the quilt top and match the edge to the edge of the quilt top, keeping in mind that it should match top and bottom to the quilt top (no extra length) and matching seams where appropriate. Sew together using the normal ¼ inch seam. Then I trim away the excess backing and batting from the previous round.
- Next, I flip the quilt over and place the backing face side down matching the same edge. The top of the quilt has not yet been folded open (right sides STILL together). This time there should be extra fabric on the top and bottom. I sew together along the same edge following the seam I made when I sewed the top.
- Then (Linda guessed this one), I butt the batting up to that same edge and zigzag it to the seam allowance.
- Finally, I press open the top and backing to cover the batting and pin baste (my preferred method). I repeat the procedure on the opposite side of the quilt and then the tops and bottom of the quilt. Then I quilt that round before proceeding to the next.
Make sense? I know it sounds like a cumbersome process, but it’s really not. I like it a lot better than using the sashing strip method. With the sashing strip method, you quilt before joining but it involves a lot of time-consuming hand sewing on the back of the quilt.
I’ve added pictures of the back of the quilt so you can see the fabric I’m using. It’s a multi-color marble fabric that hides the seams really well…you have to look for them. There’s no bunching along the seam lines of the batting as it butts up to the previous round without overlapping.
I use cotton batting…I’m not sure you could do this with polyester batting because of the stretching. I switched to cotton batting after my first quilt and well before I came up with this quilt-as-you-go procedure. I just happen to prefer it. But I think it’s probably a necessity for joining a quilt this way.
Advantages
- Breaks up the entire process of making the quilt. Makes it more interesting for me and I enjoy watching it grow.
- Quilting involves the outer edge of the quilt.
- It's definitely helping me improve my free mothion quilting without having to fight the weight of the quilt at the same time. One day I'll be good enough that that won't be an issue but I'm not there yet!
Disadvantages
- You are piecing the bottom of the quilt as well as the top
- Care must be used when choosing the backing as matching any sort of pattern would in all likelyhood be a nightmare.
- Careful basting and ironing a must to avoid the seams being to obvious on the back side.
Feel free to add to these lists...please!
As you think about it, you can use this process to break down the quilt in any method you prefer. By row, by sections, etc. It really has unlimited possibilities. I just happened to chooses rounds because of my design. Frankly, it would be much easier to do rows or panels and then add the final border or borders to the quilt top as a round.Interesting to think about.
But, and I must emphasize this, I also love doing it the ole fashion way as well.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Today my goal is to finish the 58 blocks done for the next round....
- I'll make 2 rows of 12 blocks and 2 rows of 15 blocks.
- The 4 corner blocks are assembled slightly different. Once assembled, I'll add them to the 2 rows of 15 blocks.
- Once I'm ready to add the rows to the quilt (hopefully today....or at least this week), I'll take photos of the process I've described above for adding each round.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
- I've added 3 sides of this round yesterday and posted pictures this morning. I plan to add the 4th side today.
- I've decided on the quilting pattern for the large square in each block but have decided to hold off quilting this round until after I've added the final round. I will stitch-in-the ditch to stablize the round before I add the next.
- The next round will be paper pieced and I'll add photos of the square as I compile it.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
- Round 3 stabilized.
- First square of final round paper-pieced.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
- I selected a coordinating pattern for the large diamonds in Round 3.
- I chose to straight stitch 1/8th inch apart the small coordinating diamonds.
- The zigzag stitch on the blue border coordinates with the brown triangles. I established guides by marking tips of brown triangle with a water soluble marker.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
- Added first side of final round to quilt.
- Quilted the first side.
I dont know why I will shoot you... The Quilt is amazing. I love all the pictures you have! The gallery was designed for Allot More Abuse then this so POST AWAY!
BTW Sue is the one you have to watch out for, I just carry the bat!
FYI More images the BETTER!
EDIT: Hoby has done an amazing job and is an example of what should and could be done with this website. I have thus featured her quilt meaning it will be shown on top of the list for some time, to show others what they can do! A++ Work
Great! I was hoping there wouldn't be a limit on the images! Hmmm...now what's that about the bat??? I'll try to behave.
There is no Real limit on images, its more of a moderated limit that would only occur if someone abused the system. Something you definately dont do. We WANT more posts like this! It is EXCELLENT! Thank you so much for showing us your process.
Mike
Sounds like a neat way to quilt!! The quilt is beautiful!!! Sunny is a real ham!
I like assembling the quilt this way as well as the more traditional approach. This way tends to keep me motivated as my time and space is limited. I'd not considered quilt as you go until I was asked to do a t-shirt quilt as a graduation present for my niece (will post soon). For those that have never done a t-shirt quilt, suffice it to say, it brings its own set of challenges....the t-shirts are not all the same size, you are working with fabric that tends to stretch out of shape (especially if the t-shirts have been used and washed quite a bit), colors from the different t-shirts do not always compliment each other, etc. I wanted to outline quilt each of the logos on the t-shirts and knew if I waited until the entire quilt was put together, it would be a real challenge...so I started researching quilt as you go. The T-shirt quilt used the more traditional approach with sash strips between the blocks to link together. I really didn't enjoy putting the quilt together that way so I decided to experiment with the approach I'm using on this quilt. I don't plan to use this approach on all my quilts, just wanted to give it a shot or two.
Your EQ design is amazing and to make it become real!! that is just fantastice..great fabrics and all that piecing.. it was a lot of work but you made it simple with the Quilt as you go technique thanks for sharing.. I love it..and also the kitty to match..LOL
Deb in Toronto Ontario
www.patchworksanity.blogspot.com
It is so nice that you have joined us. We would all like to welcome you to our little home. Your comment is so very nice.
This post is what I was hoping this site would offer quilters. You designed and then as you put it together to let us see it and told all about it. What a learning experience. What method of paper piecing did you do? Thanks so much for putting all your time into this so we could take part. It is a beautiful quilt, Great Job.
Thanks, Sue. I hope others will do this as well. I am still learning and want to see how others assemble their quilts as well. When this one is done, I plan to try out applique. I've done some reading but hope you all will give me some pointers as I go along!! But first, gotta finish this one. :)
I'm not sure about your paper piecing question. I printed the foundation pattern from Electric Quilt onto foundation paper and then sewed the fabric pieces onto the appropriate label of the paper, then wripped the paper of the back of the square. Does that make sense?
The paper piecing you are doing is the way I learned it. I guess you would say it is the tradional way. With usingFreezer paper you do not sew on the paper, so when you are done there is no tearing it off. You simply pull it away, very easy.
Now whe you do applique, good luck I only do the fusing method.
Sue
I always wonder how to deal with the batting when you quilt as you go. Do you butt it up against the last batting, or overlap, or sew it into the seam?
I was also thinking how do you deal with the backing material. You must have it there when you quilt. Then when you put the blocks together, do you sew the top of the quilt to the other blocks? Then I have no idea, the batting and the backing.
I plan to take pictures as I attach the next round to the quilt to illustrate. In the interim, here’s what I do…hopefully it will make sense.
Once I’ve assembled a side and am ready to attach, I cut the batting and backing to about 2 to 3 inches larger on three of the sides. This way there is no danger of not having enough fabric after quilting…nothing is more frustrating than running short on the back side. I do the same thing when I do the traditional layering of a quilt top to batting and backing….the ole you can cut it down but can’t put it back theory….grin.
Dealing with the top piece only, I lay it face down on the quilt top and match the edge to the edge of the quilt top, keeping in mind that it should match top and bottom to the quilt top (no extra length) and matching seams where appropriate. Sew together using the normal ¼ inch seam. Then I trim away the excess backing and batting from the previous round.
Next, I flip the quilt over and place the backing face side down matching the same edge. The top of the quilt has not yet been folded open (right sides STILL together). This time there should be extra fabric on the top and bottom. I sew together along the same edge following the seam I made when I sewed the top.
Then (Linda guessed this one), I butt the batting up to that same edge and zigzag it to the seam allowance.
Finally, I press open the top and backing to cover the batting and pin baste (my preferred method). I repeat the procedure on the opposite side of the quilt and then the tops and bottom of the quilt. Then I quilt that round before proceeding to the next.
Make sense? I know it sounds like a cumbersome process, but it’s really not. I like it a lot better than using the sashing strip method. With the sashing strip method, you quilt before joining but it involves a lot of time-consuming hand sewing on the back of the quilt.
I’ll take a picture of the back of the quilt as soon as I get a chance, so you can see the fabric I’m using. It’s a multi-color marble fabric that hides the seams really well…you have to look for them. There’s no bunching along the seam lines of the batting as it butts up to the previous round without overlapping.
I use cotton batting…I’m not sure you could do this with polyester batting because of the stretching. I switched to cotton batting after my first quilt and well before I came up with this quilt-as-you-go procedure. I just happen to prefer it. But I think it’s probably a necessity for joining a quilt this way.
I am really enjoying learning from you. You write very well, and the instructions are very clear. This would be great for a large quilt that you would like to machine or hand quilt. You don't have to handle the whole quilt all the time. I will have to give this a try. The quilt is really coming along. Great job.
You have done so much work on this quilt, and did a wonderful job telling us all about it. I was wondering if you have finished it, with the binding and all. I keep on looking to see if you added any more information on it. It has become like one of my own quilts and wanted to know what you are doing on it. If you have finished I would love to see the finished picture. It is so pretty. Have you started a new project?
Hi Sue,
I'm still plugging away at it. Current round requires 58 4-inch blocks. I'm still working on those but I'll add a description at the top of what I'm doing right now. Almost ready to take some more pics...I, too, have been having computer problems...so haven't been able to visit as often...
My computer has to go back to the shop for the 4th time! They just can't seem to get it fixed right. Now the shift keys don't work! I still have my loaner. If I didn't, this would have been the fifth week without the internet!
I will be looking forward to more photos of this process!!!!
The back of the quilt, for the most part looks like the back of the (normal backing, not sure what to call it), I expect that there are seam lines for each block. I'm confussed about the back and the seam lines. Do you hand stitch these lines? Your pictures are so clear. By any chance can you get a close shot of the seams. This quilt is so pretty. Thanks again for sharing.
Sue,
Included a shot of the backing for you. It's a busy marble type fabric. If you look cloely, you can see the seams where the marbling kind of changes.
Linda....
Photos added this morning show the step by step process I described below. As you can see, I still have one more side for this round to add (will hopefully get done today). This round was a little tricky as I am also adding the 2-inch strip at the same time and mitering. I do the mitiring after I've got the front and back of each side added.
Sue...
There is no hand sewing at this point. All is done on the machine. I forgot to do a close up of the seams on the back but I'll try to do that after I add the final side of this round. This fabric is pretty good at hiding them.
Everyone...
They say every quilt has a humility square....well....this one's got a LOT of them so I must be REAL humble. I need Linda to come over and help me with my points!!! I'm hoping by the time I finish this baby, I'll show some improvement. But from a distance, the busy pattern distracts the eye.
You are right this quilt is a baby that keeps on growing and growing, and it looks great. I wish I could see it in person. The points are a very hard thing to do, it took me a long time to get them. I think there are a few tricks.
1. When you are sewing the pieces together that will become the point, use something with a point on it, like a large needle and hold the material as the last bit is sewn. I find the machine seems to cut the last little bit of the seam less then a 1/4 in.
2. When you sew the point piece to the other piece put a pin right at the point of the triangle. That way you sew right at where the pin is, and the material will not shiflt on you.
3. There are always a few points, that I still will need to redo.
Wonderful job
Linda,
It looks great to me!!
They finally decided to give me a new laptop to replace the old one. Hope to be around a little more often now.
I'm really enjoying the photos of your progress!!
Finding a new computer, what a pain. Good luck in finding the prefect computer.
We didn't actually get to pick which laptop we got. We were given one, but at least we have a new one...
Glad you were able to get a computer. Someone giving you one is the best, no money. Hooray
The quilt show I went to this weekend had a quilt that was done with this method, so I got to see it. One of the guild members was showing everyone the back side of the quilt. The woman that made the quilt made it reversiable. A great deal of work. When I saw it I had to look at it more closely because of what you were doing. I understand now it works.
I was browsing through a reversible quilts book the other day and it was illustrating how to make reversible squares using totally different quilt patterns that compliment each other. Blew my mind...it totally shut down and I decided I wouldn't be trying that for quite awhile. In one case, they showed putting together a square by sewing the pieces on like paper piecing...both sides at the same time...whoa! Looked really cool but I knew I'd be spending a lot of time ripping trying that one out. Geometry was not one of my better subjects in school.
Almost done quilting round 3... picked such an intricate pattern for the squares that it's taken longer than I thought. On side three at the moment...been spending more time at the machine than on the computer. Will update gallery when done.
Still dreaming about applique for my next project. Spent an arm and a leg on some books and browsing for ideas. If I do an entire quilt applique, it will take some time...that's for sure....grin.
I keep on looking to see if you have done any more on this quilt. I really love how it is all working out. I can see you have put allot of hours into this. I forgot if you said if this is going to someone special or for your own use, maybe on your bed. What a joy.
I'm so glad you keep shwing us how you are coming on this project. What a wonderful quilt.
The last time you wrote you were putting on the last border. You are so close to getting it done. I keep looking to see if you have done anymore.