Thread: How To Quilt As You Go using a whole backing and sections of the top instead of blocks

PART 1.

Originally Posted by ssnare

I have a question. I do not understand how you quilt as you go and how to add the blocks or sections to the previous part. Do you leave several inches of backing and batting between each block or section?

In my case, I used the backing whole and just added the sections to it as I went. My quilt was in 5 sections, the center, 2 sides, and the top and bottom.
Actually the backing had to be pieced at the top and bottom, also, and I waited to do that until I was ready to add the front top and bottom sections to keep the size I was handling down.
Since I was using fleece for the backing, I did not need a batting for my quilt, however, this technique would work either way. The two methods of handling the quilt I used were rolling of the edges and puddling the areas where I was actually quilting. I only have a regular sewing machine so this works best for me.
The first, and most difficult, part was to center the center section on the backing accurately and get it pinned securely. I use safety pins for this, but use your method of choice.

centering the center panel

ready to quilt the center panel

PART 2. Once that was done, I quilted the center section leaving the blue outside sashing strips undone. This provides the area for overlapping the quilting between the sections. If the section doesn’t have the sashing, then I would quilt to within an inch or so of the edge of that area still leaving room for the overlap quilting.
After the center section is complete, spread the backing again on a hard surface. You only need an area as big as the center section and the part you are adding next.
*The part you add next depends on how your sections are set up. It’s the same as making a block. Mine was set up so I added the sides first, then the top and bottom. But you could do if the other way if your sides are longer.


Lay the next section on the center section, right sides together. Pin, matching corners and sashings as needed and being sure to pin through all three layers.

adding the side panel

PART 3. Sew together using your 1/4” seam. You will be sewing through the side and center sections and the backing. Press to set your seam then open out and press again from the top. You now have the side section added to the center section. Lay it out on your surface again and pin the side section to the backing for quilting.

side panel added and ready to quilt

all rolled up and out of the way

cool. thanks for the info. i'll have to try this.

PART 4. Roll the other side of the backing and most of the center section to keep it out of your way * HINT: I make elastic rings from recycled waistband elastics that I put around the ends of the rolled backings to help hold them out of my way and to keep them from coming unrolled. Now quilt this section as you wish.


Since this is an outside section (whether sides or top or bottom) don’t leave an unquilted area along the outer edges where the binding will go.


Repeat the above as you add each section, rolling and puddling the fabric as you need for access to your work area. When you add the last two sections, you will not leave any unquilted areas.

center and sides all quilted

top section added and ready to quilt

PART 5/ End... Good luck and if you have any questions, please PM me or post and I will do my best to clarify.

Beautiful Birds Quilt all finished and bound

thank you - timing is perfect! I would love to quilt my current project (will be my 2nd attempt at FMQ) as it is small and managable. This is so handy and looks doable! Thank you

Originally Posted by butterflies5518

thank you - timing is perfect! I would love to quilt my current project (will be my 2nd attempt at FMQ) as it is small and managable. This is so handy and looks doable! Thank you

Very good luck to you! I know you can handle it. Looking forward to seeing your results!!

Great!thanks, Sometimes I get discouraged about quilting because I can't afford to send them out to be quilted. I will have to try this method.

Thanks for this explanation! Makes sense.

If you were not using fleece for both batting and backing, would you keep the backing the whole piece, and just add in the batting as you went along? Yes, I think that would work.

I did a twin size quilt in three long sections, then sewed the sections together, as in the usual block by block QAYG. I thought it worked great.