How do you do your rows?
 

How do you assemble your rows of quilt blocks? Add the next row? Or "pair them up" then attach pairs? My first big quilt project and I decided on the "pair them up" approach. Got the next seam pinned and then one more after that!

Typically if the blocks of the quilt are all the same size, then I do mine like you are doing. I find that if I just keep adding rows, that eventually the quilt top will be harder to handle as opposed to building the quilt into 2 or 3 parts and then completing sewing with about equal parts for the last seam. If the quilt takes 4 blocks to make the pattern, then I will sew the four parts together, then build rows. That's just my preferences. Quilting is all about doing any task the way that you are comfortable with. I have a harder time with a quilt that builds out from the center. Those have to be sewn in a round-a-bout way and my logical brain just doesn't like that. But I like the results, so I do it anyway.

I do like Eleanor Burns. I sew two columns together , add another set of blocks to the column, then don't cut the threads and then sew the rows together. It mostly works for me so I haven't tried any other method

StitchNRipper ... Works for me too!

I'm with you, Barb. I find it much more manageable to do pairs of rows and then assemble them into foursies and then continue in this manner. You are so right about doing what you are most comfortable doing. Make it fun!

Leslie

I typically assemble the center row, then add to each side, row by row. I keep the big piece of fabric to the left of the machine needle. This is for both quilt tops and quilt as you go/assemble.
I work either by column or row, which ever presents itself - usually becomes obvious during the layout of block phase.

I sew pairs until I get 2 halves. I think there is less stretch and distortion by minimal handling. If you start with 2 rows, then continue to add, those pieces have seen a lot of action by the time all rows have been added. Thank goodness there is no one correct way!

I usually do 2-3 rows together at a time. Less going thru the machine.

I normally do half and half. That way I can chain stitch them until the last seam sewing the two halves together. I also normally press each seam as I sew.

I sew into 4 patch blocks. Then put those together as larger 4 patch blocks. Repeat. Easy to square up the blocks this way, ends up way more accurate for me than sewing rows together.

I put my rows together the same way you do. This is a beautiful quilt.

Thanks! This is "Vintage Checkerboard" by Kristina Brinkerhoff from the book "Best of Moda Bake Shop". I've got my 7 rows down to two groups (4 and 3) and the last seam is pinned. Want to get a fresh start in the morning to finish it off!

Nice quilt!
bkay

I like the idea of the 4 patch method for ease of squaring! Good thread!

I also sew pairs of rows together first. If I am using borders, I will sew the border to the outside rows before sewing the whole thing together. Then I only have two borders to add at the end. A little less handling.

Smart Lady you are, GingerK!
So obvious and yet, as I had never thought of that before.
Must remember for the next time I can do this.

Ginger K, do you mean that after you sew pairs of rows together, you then add the outside borders to fit just the 2 rows?
Thank you for your help.

Copycat, most of us have been taught to sew the body of the top together, measure the two outside edges and also through the middle. Then cut the border length using the average of those measurements. You can still do that but you don't have to work with the whole top, just a few rows at a time.

If my blocks have some bias edges, which are prone to stretching, instead of just pinning at strategic places, I will mark the finished block size on my border. Example: if my block finishes at 12 inches, I will mark the border at 12 1/4, 12, 12 and so on until the last block at 12 1/4.

I also always sew a line of stay stitching about 1/8th inch from the outer edge of my borders--before they are attached to the top. I do not like handling the whole top any more than absolutely necessary.