I've never done cotton theory, but I have done quilt as you go. I just sew one block together, layer it, and quilt it. Then, as I go along, I fold back the batting and backing and sew those blocks together. Then whipstitch the backing together. I am really not good at explainging things, but it really is easy.
Here is one link I found. This is how I do it.
http://welshquilter.blogspot.com/200...as-you-go.html