My first tutorial

In my craft blog reading I had somewhere picked up on the phrase "quilt as you go." I had no idea what this meant, but I assumed it must be an answer the the problem of trying to shove a full size quilt under the arm of my tiny almost toy-like singer. I set out searching the internet and book stores for this method that would make my life simpler, and was sadly disappointed with the results of my search. I found enough through various websites to figure out how the method was done, but I wished there was a good easy to read, pretty reference to recommend when I write about my next quilt. Instead I will have to make one.

This method works best with quilts composed of blocks (as opposed to strips or applique) but basically, you just have to be able to break the quilt down into smaller segments. In hindsight, I could have sewn four of my blocks together and then did the quilting so I would have fewer seams to hand sew. Anyway, start with a bock of your choice:

I am using a 12 inch log cabin block made with Moda Bliss jelly rolls, which I heart greatly.
Cut a piece of batting and a piece of fabric also 12inches square or the size of your block. This method gives you the option of using different colored fabrics for the backing of each block, making it a double sided quilt, patchwork blocks on one side, 12in blocks on the other.

I am just using an off-white sheet, my most economical way of backing a quilt. Make a sandwich of your three pieces and pin.
Quilt as desired. I used a walking foot and did a simple geometric tracing of the log cabin blocks, but this would also be a good opportunity to try out some free-hand quilting in a smaller, more manageable space.

Be sure that your quilting stays about 1/2in away from all sides, as you will have to sew 1/4in seams around all of the sides still. Repeat with another block, or all of the blocks for your quilt. The beauty of this method is you can mix up the steps! I recommend doing two blocks before you decide if you like the method.

Next, take two completed blocks, pin back the batting and backing fabric on the edge where the two will connect.
Then lay them on the table/floor next to each other the way they should appear in the quilt. Fold one over the other, faces together.

Then pin the two tops together, and sew a 1/4in seam to sew the quilt tops only together. Open seam and press open.

Take the two pieces of batting and split it apart as shown. Don't be scared... just rip it a little...

Cut the bottom half of one of the pieces of batting off, and the top half of the other side, then layer them to form a layer of batting that is the same thickness as the one layer in the rest of the quilt. (This is hard to explain without using 50 pictures. You could skip this step but there will be a bump in the overlap, or try cutting them so they just meet in the middle, but I'm not sure if they would bunch up when you wash the quilt... )
Next step, lay one side of the backing flat against the batting, on the other side, fold over and press a 1/4 inch  from the edge. Pin to the other side of the backing like so:

Then hand sew the seam however is most comfortable for you.




I did it like this:

When it is finished it looks like this:

Now you just repeat the process 35 times.... easy! ;)
I haven't decided if I like this process yet, but I'll do this quilt at least and see how it goes. Pictures of the completed quilt to come....
I have this dream that when I have kids, the day they graduate to a big kid bed I will give them a quilt that I made for them.  And they will love it.... and not think that I am lame at all. In my dreams my children always think I'm awesome. Yup.