I found this method on the web, so it isn't my own method, but I find it to be the easiest I have come across. Craftybear asked me to post this.

I saw this at the quilt show (demo) love the block btw :)

How do you put the blocks together when you are ready to complete the quilt?

oops. Guess I posted that too soon. I'm still not sure I understand how to join the blocks.

Thanks I will try it. Thanks again for the tutorial.

Looks a good way to do it. I love your " I did that once " comments.

Thanks for posting. I am having trouble understanding the 'Fold the edge of the backing to the edge of the back then fold again onto the block itself' part. I can see how you could place the overlap at at edge of your left block under your right block, but if you have seen down the edge what do you do with the overlap from the right block's backing? how does it work on the top? Is the overlap from the backing brought to the front and if so how can the batting sit flat? I am probably missing something :blush:

thanks

Ah-ha! Now that I am looking at the photos on a larger screen, I can see that I misunderstood- you don't overlap the backing with the adjacent block but you use it to bind its own block.

But I still dont understand how you attach the blocks to each other and make the quilt fall nicely when used?

Perhaps this video link will make it clear.
https://www.baysidequilting.com/store/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=284]https://www.baysidequilting.com/stor...idCategory=284[/url]

It's something I'm going to try.

this is actually the Betty Cotton Theory. YOu can get one of her books to get more photos and details if you need some.

Deb....I've been wanting to make a QAYG and now I "think" I can do it. Your instructions w/pics are great...thanks
RMM

A couple of my friends do their quilts this way. I just don't care for quilts looking that flat. I prefer a real quilt put together in pieces quilted and bound--just my preference. I would like to see more pics of what has been done with this method--same for Cotton Theory--but just not my cup of tea.

That is brilliant. Not having to work on a large area is very encouraging. Thanks for sharing.

What a great tute. Thanks for sharing.

here's a link for Attic Windows done with the Cotton Theory
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-28801-1.htm
and the attachment is one I used the Fun and Done QAYG method (I forgot to take the pillows off before I took the picture). I know others have better quilting skills as well as better photography skills but these are mine.

I have been reading the other posts on cotton theory, and that is not what I am doing. I am not making my blocks in little strip pieces and quilting each section as I go. I make one 12-1/2 block, as I usually do, then quilt that entire block. I can see why those blocks would be stiff. Mine are no stiffer than if I were to put all the block tops together and do the stippling all over. There isn't any special ruler - as I have been reading about - that is used. I don't insert 1 or 2" sashings between each block, the backing becomes the sashing.....I can see why seams would be a little wonky and messy looking.....Am I missing something????

Deb, I did echo quilting around each block of a SBS and joined them together as you did. It took a whole lot of work out of the the entire quilting process. Plus the binding was already in place on the outer blocks and I didn't have to cut and sew it on separately. Could you take a picture of the back of one of your quilts to show how pretty it all turns out? The front of my quilt looked the same as if it had been done in a traditional way with sashings. It is a nice option and worth giving a try! Especially for those of us w/o a long arm machine!

Another quick question. Can you add outside borders to these quilts or would you do that using this method, but longer pieces? Thanks

I appreciate the way you explained it and the photos help me.

Thanks for the tutorial, Deb. I like the way you do this and will try it when I put together my quilt from one of the block swaps. One question, I am assuming that you really pay attention to picking out your backing fabric as that is going to become part of the front of your quilt. Is that correct, or am I misinterpreting how this goes together? I think I get it, but until I actually do it hands on, may not have gotten it exactly.

Judy, you are correct in really thinking the color for the backing, as it IS the sashings between the front blocks. However, for the outside edges, I DO a separate binding strip, just like I would normally do on any other quilt. I will post a pic of the quilt when I get the binding done. Depending on the size and number of blocks used, you really can have a reversable quilt. How cute for a kid!

When your quilt is all assembled, you certainly could add outside borders, just as you normally would on any quilt that you are making. I will post pics when I get the binding done, maybe that will give a better overall picture. (no pun intended)

I have some blocks that would be great to try with this technique. Someone asked about adding borders. I'm thinking I could add borders in pieces to the blocks that will be outside before I quilt those blocks. Then proceed as usual, but the borders would have to be the same fabric as the backing. Any other ideas here?

If it is outside borders, they can be any color you wish. The inside 'sashings or borders' are the backing fabric. I had better hurry up and finish the one that started all this so you can see how it will be when finished. Headed to the gazebo - yep, brought the machine and fabric and everything so I can be outside and enjoy nature and sewing!

Sewing outside? What a neat idea! I may move out to my front porch for the day!

Oh, and I loved the tutorial. I want to try this. I like the idea better than the cotton thery.

Sah-weet!!!!! Thanks so much for this!!!

Thanks for sharing this is a great idea. But then I get so many great ideas on this site.
S

Thanks so much for the great tutorial.

Thanks for the tutorial. Have seen this done at quilt shows but have yet to try it

Isn't this method called fun and done?

This method is also shown in all of the Fun & Done patterns. Great technique. And no affiliation, just teach the technique at our local quilt shop.

Wow! Just the idea I've been looking for! Bless you! You have changed my life!

I can't wait to try this. I'm too old to invest in a long-arm and don't really have the room. It is more rewarding for me to complete my whole quilt, even though it is a struggle to squeeze it under the machine sometimes. This sounds like a fun alternative, even though it's not used for every quilt.

Seems like a neat way to finish a quilt. It is always nice to have options. I am curios though if you could do a blind hem stitch or blanket stitch to stitch down those 1" flaps? Also, for Franie...what about this method make a "flat" quilt?

Great tute, Deb. Thanks.

You must have read my mind..I've been toying with the idea of doing one but did't really know how...Thanks bunches..

I just do a straight top stitch, but it may look really cool with a decorative stitch!
I do want to emphasize that in order for your blocks to lay flat, it is really important that you sew your blocks together as so very close to the edge. This will also make sure that your 'sashings' are the same width. I will post more pics of this if wanted.

Try 'Fun and Done Quilting'. It's an easy way to do quilt as you go, and looks fabulous.