1-1/2" squares
 

I am thinking of making a quilt that has MANY 1-1/2" squares sewn together. I had heard of some sort of fusible paper where you iron them on and then sew. Does anyone know anything about this or what it is even called? I would appreciate any ideas or help in this matter. Thanks.

What is your concern on working with 1.5" squares? I just completed a top with 400+ 9 patches made with 1.5" squares and didn't have any problems. I was able to strip piece some of them and worked with squares on some. Just chain pieced.

I just did a google search on 'grided fusible interfacing' and got lots of hits. Try that as I was not easily coming up with various sizes but it should get you started. Good luck.

Here's a previous posting about it as well. http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t257133.html

My experiences with gridded fusible interfacing have not been great. The interfacing can add a lot of bulk to your piece. If you are making a wall hanging, that's not a problem. However, if you are making a bed quilt, you may feel differently. I recently made a wall hanging with 2" squares that I paper pieced but think strip piecing, with lots of checking to ensure accuracy, would be the way I'd do it in the future. Good luck with your project!

I just finished the first block for my daughter's quilt. It is a pixelated heart made of various pink/red fabrics with a black background.

I am using 1.5" squares. Each block will have 289 of them.

I was going to try the fusible webbing trick and I'm so glad I didn't. I just lined up my little squares, stitched them into rows and used pins when putting the rows together.

I did use a "leader" before each round of piecing.

It wasn't nearly as dramatic as I thought. I was just worried because I haven't done something so small and complex before.

I think some of us have a tendency to overthink these things and let fear of failure rule us for a bit

I love working with 1 1/2 inch squares! It's my favorite size. I like it because I make throw size quilts usually 48 x 72. With smaller squares and smaller blocks, I can get the design effect of a larger bed size quilt. No need for the grid. I have found that it adds stiffness.

I have never used the fusible grid pattern that came out when watercolor quilts were popular. I just prefer making a bunch of four patches and make the quilt from them.

I've use the fusible grids a lot and love them. I don't find they add any more bulk than fabric foundations or stabilizer of some kind. They help keep everything square and all the seams match perfectly without any pinning or ripping out needed. For larger projects the fusible is great otherwise you can get stretching of the small pieces. It adds just enough support without being bulky.

If you are worried about keeping them straight, why not try the adding machine paper. Just an idea.

I did a quilt using 2000 of them years ago. It certainly made for matching points, but it added bulk and made the quilt stiff. Wouldn't use it again.

Ragamuffin: I was pondering the adding machine tape technique also when I posted my thread regarding 1.5" squares

I'll have to look into that

I was being cheap when I did this technique. I bout the cheapest, thinnest in effacing Joann's sells on a cardboard bolt, then drew my own grids. Didn't take long to draw the grids and that super thin stuff didn't add any significant weight. I liked the technique. I was using cross stitch patterns to make quilt blocks.

There's also a wash away version of the grid stuff. No added bulk with that.

I am pretty sure that JoAnns carries the fusible grid you are looking for. If you are looking afor a variety of fabric to make your 1 1/2 in squares there is a postage stamp swap going o here on the board. I think sign ups close May1. I look forward to seeing your quilt.

I made a quilt with over 4000 1 1/2 " squares. It is really easy as long as you keep your squares organized. I did lots of chain stitching. Tried the fusible grid but had trouble it. I guess I was just a klutz because I ended up just a mess!

I think you will be fine just sewing them and pinning rows and not add the bulk.

I tried the adding machine tape and it seems to be going faster and neater now

There is the QuiltSmart one and the Pellon version for the interfacing, but I like the adding machine tape idea.

I am hosting a quilt along on my blog, using fusible interfacing with 1 1/2 inch blocks. I did a short tutorial on how to make the grid and use the fusible.
Here is the link to the tutorial.
http://www.quiltinglinda.com/categor...andle-block-1/