Getting rows together

This is more exciting than just sewing 80 blocks and trimming them to size. I had 3 rows sewn together and couldn’t wait to start connecting the rows.

Some progress on connecting rows

I’ll try to explain the process. I didn’t make this up; I found instructions on several blogs. This is not the only way to connect the QAYG blocks, but it’s the way I chose.

First, I sewed the binding strip to the one side of one block, right sides together.

pinned binding

I stitched along the fold line. Next, I flipped the next block so it was right sides together with the first block. I flipped the stack together and slid the block and the binding so that I could stitch along the fold line.

pinned binding

In the photo above, you can see that I folded the binding along the line of stitching just completed, and unfolded the second part to pin it to the block. At this point, make sure that the blocks are flush at the top and bottom, or your row may be wobbly.

The result is a flat binding strip on the top, and raw edges on the back that should be butted against each other.

The binding on the top, and the raw edges on the back.

The next part is the simplest. Lay the binding to cover the raw edges of the back. You will find that the binding goes from the stitching line on the left block, to the stitching line on the right. Pin, topstitch on each side of the binding. From both front and back you will see a couple of clean rows of topstitching.

At left, two connected rows and two rows ready to stitch, viewing the back of the quilt. At right, same, but the view is of the front.

I am loving how it is coming together. The added feature of the colored block backs alternating with the white backs adds interest, and makes a calmer design. I’ve been informed there are only 2 1/2 weeks until the baby’s due date. I replied that I think the quilt will come a little late.

Portable project

I said this was a great method for putting in just a few minutes here and there. It is also fantastic for being portable.

I live in Missouri but I’m originally from Michigan. I needed to go back for a visit and didn’t want to lose 7 or 8 sewing days, so I brought it along. I managed to fit everything into two smallish boxes, plus the small portable sewing machine.

I could have brought it into the motel room where I stayed overnight on the way there and on the way back. I decided I was too fatigued from the drive to do anything but read and relax.

With rows of 8 blocks and making 10 rows, I will need 80 blocks. Today I counted what I had sewn and trimmed, and it came to 55. I swear, the scraps keep multiplying when my back is turned. There seems to be just as many scraps now as there were before I sewed 55 blocks.

These are some of the favorite blocks I’ve sewn so far. I played with putting the white block in the corner or on point. I used narrow strips on some, wider strips on others.

I’m anxious to put this one all together. I think it will be a colorful feast for the eyes, and I’ll love to welcome the newest grandchild home with this quilt.

First row and then some

On the quilt-as-you-go baby quilt I have completed the first row. Actually, it was completed more than a month ago, I just have found no time to write for the blog. I was trying to take a trip to Michigan to visit family in early June, but life happens and the trip had to be put off. One great thing about preparing for the trip is that I could use my mother’s sewing machine for this project. It is just about the most portable baby quilt project I have done. I started cutting the pieces I would need for it.

The dimensions would be 8 blocks wide by 10 blocks long. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but then I started cutting. I would need 80 back pieces, 5×5 inches. Forty in color, and forty in white. Then I cut 80 pieces of white for the center of each block. Now I would need 80 blocks of batting cut from the pieces in my stash. I’m still not even halfway done with cutting the batting pieces. I also need to cut binding tape in white for connecting the blocks and rows, unless I only plan to make more blocks while away from home.

I gathered many scraps to use for the blocks into a tub. I love tubs with lids, where I can accumulate pieces for a project, or scraps for future projects. I don’t need a mat and rotary cutter for piecing this one, just sew on scraps and trim with scissors. I can square up the blocks when I’m back home.

I had a tentative week that I would be gone for the visit. My animals would be taken care of, gardens doing well, lawn was mowed. Then I had to put off the visit due to family stuff happening here in Missouri. Then another tentative week was planned for later in June, but had to be put off again. I think I will be able to visit for a week later this month.

first row front

back side

So, the first row looks like this. Not much, so far. The curve isn’t permanent, it will be straight once I sew rows together.

joining blocks front view

joining blocks back view

These pictures show the joining of the blocks, both front and back. In a future post I will show pictures along the way as I join more blocks together. The steps will be the same for joining one row to the next.

Now the surprise – it’s no longer for a potential grandchild, but a real one. There is a bundle of joy coming in October. I’ve known this for a while, but not until after I had started this quilt. I’ll need to get busy on this to allow plenty of time for shipping. My unwritten goal is by the end of September, but the earlier the better. I’m glad this is a quick quilt to make. Once it is shipped off, I’ll start the next.

Quilting in small bits

I am loving one aspect of this project – that I can make a little progress in short bursts of time.

Earlier this month I worked a bit on the quilt blocks. I cut blocks for backing, and also the white centers of the blocks. I’ve decided to lay out the backings alternating a color print with the white backed blocks, in a sort of checkerboard design.

I put a few of the completed blocks together using the binding. Single fold binding gives finished edges where I sew it down. Here are some progress photos.

I’ll do a row at a time until I get the width I like, then begin the second row.

A small beginning

I’m calling this a stringy baby quilt. I chose the “Trash to Treasure” quilt block from my last post. I’m making it on a smaller scale of course. I decided not to cut the block into quarters and sew them back together, because I’m sewing it with backing and batting together to make a prequilted block.

I began with a square of white fabric, 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches. I cut a piece of batting and a piece of fabric for backing at 5 by 5 inches. I centered the small square over the batting and backing, and pinned. By the way, this is the reason I have a tub labeled Batting Scraps.

Then I gathered the little bits of fabric I had kept. I set aside anything that was an orphan block from another quilt, I’ll make those into mug rugs, lap quilts, or purses. I found quite a few small blocks sewn into a strip for the maze quilt, I set those aside as well. I started sewing to all four sides of the small square. I didn’t follow the edge exactly, trying to make it a little wonky so nobody would expect perfection. I certainly don’t!

First two blocks done.

Then I realized I backed both of them with white fabric. Not normally an issue, but for this quilt I plan to select backing fabrics of many colors. I made a third block with a pretty green dragonfly fabric for the backing. I trimmed them to 4 1/2 inch squares.

My plan is to make single fold bias tape from white fabric and use it to sew the blocks and rows together. Thus, quilt-as-you-go. I borrowed the method from another blog and I’ll write about the steps in a future post.

In trimming the blocks, I realized that the final strip of fabric can be quite wide, because I’m trimming about 1/4 inch from each side, and another 1/4 inch will be covered by the bias tape sashing. For future blocks I’ll keep that in mind.

Until next time, be safe and be well.