Finding time to finish a quilt can be challenging. Between cutting, piecing, quilting, and binding, a traditional project can stretch over weeks or months. If you love the idea of making quilts but struggle to fit everything into your schedule, the quilt-as-you-go method is worth exploring. It allows you to piece, quilt, and join blocks all at the same time, giving you a finished quilt with less time and less bulk to manage.
What Is Quilt-As-You-Go?
Quilt-as-you-go (QAYG) is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of creating the entire quilt top first and then layering it with batting and backing for quilting, you quilt each block or section as you piece it. Each block ends up with its own layers of top fabric, batting, and backing, and when all the blocks are quilted, you join them together to form the finished quilt. Because you handle smaller sections from the start, you avoid wrestling a large, heavy quilt through your sewing machine.
Why Busy Quilters Love This Method
The biggest advantage is time. Since you are piecing and quilting simultaneously, you skip the step of quilting a large, assembled top at the end. This also means you can work in short sessions, finishing one block at a time without losing momentum. QAYG is especially appealing if you have a small sewing space or a machine that struggles with large projects. Handling smaller pieces keeps everything manageable and less physically demanding.
Materials and Preparation
You do not need special tools to quilt as you go, but a few items make the process easier. Low-loft batting works well because it keeps the blocks flat when you join them. A walking foot or dual-feed foot helps maintain even stitching through the layered block. You can also use the same thread for piecing and quilting if you want a consistent look. Before you start, cut your batting and backing slightly larger than the block size to allow for trimming after quilting.
Basic Steps
Begin by layering the backing fabric (wrong side down), the batting, and the first piece of top fabric. Stitch it in place, then add the next piece of top fabric right sides together, sew the seam, and flip it open. Continue adding pieces in this “stitch-and-flip” style, quilting each seam as you go. Once a block is complete, trim it to size. When all your blocks are finished, sew them together with a joining strip or a method recommended in your chosen pattern.
Design Flexibility
Quilt-as-you-go works with many styles, from simple strip quilts to intricate layouts. You can mix fabrics and play with color placement just as you would with a traditional quilt. Because each block is quilted individually, you can also experiment with different quilting motifs on each section without worrying about maneuvering a full quilt through the machine.
Finishing Touches
After joining all the blocks, add binding as you would with any other quilt. At this point the project is fully quilted, so you can skip the final step of running it through the machine again. The result is a finished quilt that looks as polished as one made using traditional methods but takes less time and effort.
Give Quilt-As-You-Go a Try
If busy schedules or limited space have kept you from quilting as much as you’d like, the quilt-as-you-go method is a smart way to keep projects moving. It simplifies the process, makes quilting more manageable, and still lets you create beautiful quilts you’ll be proud to show off.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for an approachable technique or an experienced quilter seeking efficiency, QAYG can help you finish more quilts and enjoy every step along the way.
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