Originally Posted by
just_the_scraps_m'am
I came upon a number of odd blocks intended for a sample quilt, but somehow got tossed aside and buried under other projects. I would like to hear from those of you who make/have made/will make a quilt-top-as-you-go[with no pattern], what is the key is to make the blocks all appear cohesive?
any special techniques or processes you use? what works for you? thank you in advance for any help you can offer!
I am working with quilt as you go, and the first thing I learned from the first one, is to start with a 14" inch backing square, a 13" batting square, and if you are working with premade blocks, glue baste the batting to the backing. Let dry (I have experimented with a pressing sheet and the iron to speed drying the glue and it does work, just be careful of temperature. I don't know what temperature with burn the school glue.) If you are working with orphan blocks, center them on the batting, glue baste avoiding the edges. Using strips of the needed width and length you want, and sew them face down to the top and bottom of the square, then turn it and sew the longer strips to the opposing sides. Sort of like putting borders on a quilt. A walking foot is a must! I cutting my srips larger than I need, then when all the squares are done, I trim them all to 12.5" since that is the size square ruler I have. I tried cutting the backing and batting the finished size, don't do it. Quilting changes things, give yourself room to spare, maybe not as much as me, but I have coordination problems, and this works for me.