Quilt as you go pattern

When I finished my latest quilt, I laid it on the floor, waiting for my sisters to come for a visit and see it. I was in the kitchen when I heard: “Wow, ahh! I’m speechless!”.

I was speechless too, but not because of its beauty. Because of the beauty of the “quilt-as-you-go” technique.

I have been quilting for 16 years and I can’t believe that this is the first time I tried this technique. I thought that because I don’t have problems in quilting large quilts on my machines, I don’t need this technique – ever (so silly!).

Do you remember all those pretty blocks I quilted some time ago?

When I started this project, I thought that I will use a few blocks for cushion covers. But the designs were so fun to sew and the blocks so pretty that I kept adding designs and sewing more blocks.
And when 20 blocks were done, I just had to use them for something more than pillows.

So I decided to join the blocks into a big quilt, using the quilt-as-you-go technique.

This technique was a revelation to me!

Because it was so much fun. I mean, FUN!
If you don’t know this technique, a short description would be: “piecing quilted blocks” or “joining blocks with sashing”.

A tremendous help!

It could be done entirely by machine, but the version that involves  a little hand stitching makes the machine stitching INCREDIBLE EASY! Especially for those quilters who own sewing machines with small space under the arm. Why? Because at all the times, while stitching, the quilt is positioned to the left of the needle (the whole quilt rests on the table); NO BULK under the arm of the sewing machine.

Are you afraid to free motion quilt?

This technique is exactly what you need. All the (free motion) quilting is done on blocks; even if you make 20” blocks, the quilting will still be EASY!
I think this technique gives beginner quilters confidence and the opportunity to grow their skills.

Have you tried this technique yet? I think it’s a must! For any quilter! You don’t want to miss such FUN!

This technique impressed me so much! Maybe the pretty designs (those repetitive designs that invite you to stitch more and more) has something to do with this ?