Hey there, fellow quilting enthusiasts! It’s Gina here!
Have you ever wondered, “What on earth is quilt as you go?” If you have, then today’s your lucky day because I’m here to spill all the beans about this magical technique.
Quilt As You Go, fondly known as QAYG, is like your quilting fairy godmother! ♀️ Why, you ask? Because it’s a method that allows you to piece and quilt simultaneously. Yup, you heard that right! No more waiting for months to finish those larger-than-life quilts. You’ll be wrapping yourself in your handcrafted warmth in no time.
How does QAYG sprinkle its magic? Let’s dive in!
Quilting Made Quick with QAYG
1. Back It Up: Start by laying your backing fabric down, right side facing down, followed by the batting. There’s a sea of quilt batting out there; if you’re a newbie, check out my guide to find the perfect fit.
2. Piece-by-Piece: Next, you’ll place your first two pieces or strips. One piece right side up, the other right side down. Why? Stay with me, and you’ll know soon!
3. Sew & Go: Begin your sewing journey from the edge of the batting, joining those two lovely pieces. Need straight lines? Sketch them out. Feeling artsy? Freestyle it!
4. Open Sesame: Now, unveil the masterpiece by opening the top piece and giving that seam a gentle finger press. Pro-tip for traditional block lovers: Steam press those seams to make them ultra-crisp.
5. Rinse & Repeat: Keep grooving to this rhythm, and before you know it, your quilt row will be ready to shine. The beauty? As you seam, you’re quilting the back too!
Conventional Quilting with QAYG
Crafting a traditional quilt? A slight twist in the tale awaits. The real game-changer? The batting. Here’s a step-by-step:
1. Quilt each block onto its batting buddy, then stitch these blocks as before.
2. Lay out your blocks in a grand design. Organized souls, number those piles for precision. Free spirits, just go with the flow.
3. Sew the blocks, ensuring the right sides face each other.
4. Once your quilt top is complete, it’s basting time! Place it over your backing, either pinning or using a basting spray. If opting for pins, keep them along the block seams.
Final Showdown: Quilt the backing to your top layer. Simply follow along the seams or tie them up. I adore the polished look my quilting machine offers, but to each their own.
And voila! Your quilt’s ready to showcase or snuggle under. Searching for more QAYG techniques? There’s a plethora of tutorials online. If you’re a visual learner like me, grab Jera Brandvig’s fantastic book on QAYG.
Important Takeaways:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| QAYG | Quilting while piecing |
| Benefits | Speedier quilting process |
| Method | Piece-by-piece with simultaneous quilting |
| For Traditional Quilts | Separate batting for each block |
| Final Step | Quilt backing to top layer |
