Quilt as you go
 

Would any of you be worried about doing this way of quilt as you go? I know most people don't like stitching in the ditch when seams are pressed open. This way has you quilt the tip and batting, press seams open, and then add the back and stitch in the ditch. I want to try this but that makes me a little nervous, also it seems like the seams might be pretty bulky. I want to try quilt as you go but I don't want to hand stitch the back or add sashing so this seemed like a good alternative. Thanks!

http://maureencracknellhandmade.blog...orial.html?m=1

I have done stitch as you go as well as blocks and joined together and quilted as I go. Look at avatar that was made this way. I don't have open seams they lie as joined seams would be.
Looking at video she only has top and wadding I have my backing on as well . So I join top layer as I would if joining without quilting. Then I had join the wadding in a straight line and finally pin backing into place and hand stitch. Then I quilt over..

I want to learn to do this also. I have read on the board some say the ones they did were stiffer.

Try looking at Ditter 43's post dated 8/22/2010, titled Ditter's string quilt. I had this bookmarked because I thought I'd try it one day, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Maybe it will help.

I would get "Machine Quilting in Sections", by Marti Michell. It contains several QAYG methods:
http://www.amazon.com/Marti-Michell-...quilting+books

I don't see anything wrong with the method used. You could modify it by squaring up your blocks before quilting, then cut your batting 1/4" smaller on all 4 sides (half inch off the length & width). Then when you join the blocks, you don't have the added bulk of the batting.

I keep thinking I will give this a try, but I'm always afraid it won't look nice. Guess I won't know til I try!

Here's the link to her tutorial here. Looks like it would be ok. This is a very helpful tutorial.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...lt-t60764.html

I see that most of the quilting is done on individual blocks before assembling, but stitching in the ditch once assembled and backed using this method on a large quilt will still be unwieldy. I also question what it looks like to have a double thickness of batting at the opened seams. Certainly the batting must be thin to use this method.

My QAUG method. I piece my blocks. Cut the backing and batting the size of the block. Make the sandwich with the 3 pieces. Then I zig zag 2 blocks together, butting them to each other. Make a strip of binding to match the backing, and the front. [ I cut these 1 and 1/2 inches wide, making the finished size 1/2 in.] You could also buy ready made. Sew a stripe on the back first, and them a strip on the top covering the stitching on the front side. I do all the rows across, then the rows down. I love the QAUG method. Just have to find the way you like. Good luck.

It's an intriguing method. I think it would work best with Quilter's Dream cotton batting in either the Request or Select weight (the two thinnest weights).

I am going to try Gourmet Quilters QAYG method.She has lots of tutorials on youtube...I just love her.
www.gourmetquilter.com/

I had a customer that needed me to finish her quilt as you go. I didn't like the final results but she was happy. She used poly batting and the backing was a pattern that didn't match up with all the overlapping seams.

There was an interesting episode of F&P did an doing a quilt as you go on their TV series where the seam was on the top and covered with very wide Rick Rack.

It seems like we all have our own method...mine is similar to Eva Knight...except after i sew the finished, quilted blocks together right sides together - i press the seams open and clip out the batting as close to the seam as i can. I then make a 2.75 inch strip into a folded binding type strip. I lift one of the seam allowances and glue tack the raw edge of the binding strip under the seam allowance - butting the raw edge up against the seam. On that same side i then stitch (machine usually) right next to the outer edge of the seam allowance. Once stitched, i press the "binding type strip" over, thus covering both the seam allowances and hand stitch down. It really does not add noticeable bulk - and from the front all you have is an extra "quilt line" showing.

I have posted several pictures of QAYG but I use the narrow sashing. Once it's sewn down on the front you're finished with that process and no hand sewing of the blocks. I also use the Gourmet Quilter's method and find the quilt looks very nice on the front and the back. It just depends on how much work you want to put into the process. I'm all about easy! Make up a couple of blocks and try different methods until you find one that works for you.

I did a lap quilt the way your link shows as a test before I tackle my Cal King. The only thing I did different was attach the backing to the top/batting using invisible thread and echo quilting. This test has been washed several times and is very soft and light weight. It's held up to the dogs so it should work for the bed.

[QUOTE=luckydiver17;6665643]Would any of you be worried about doing this way of quilt as you go? I know most people don't like stitching in the ditch when seams are pressed open. This way has you quilt the tip and batting, press seams open, and then add the back and stitch in the ditch. I want to try this but that makes me a little nervous, also it seems like the seams might be pretty bulky. I want to try quilt as you go but I don't want to hand stitch the back or add sashing so this seemed like a good alternative. Thanks!


http://www.ludlowquiltandsew.co.uk/a...-machine-sewn/ This sounds like a better way of going and NO hand stitching. Am working on one now.

http://www.ludlowquiltandsew.co.uk/a...-machine-sewn/ This sounds like a better way of going and NO hand stitching. Am working on one now.[/QUOTE]

Is it difficult to catch the turned under hem when you are stitching in the ditch on the front? I've considered this way before but making sure I don't miss the hem would make me worried, it's the way I feel when I machine finish my bindings :) Is it weird to have a bunch of little hem lines on the back? Please let me know how your quilt turns out because I have always wondered about this method!

I have found the easiest QAG in on youtube, by 'the gourmet quilter' out of England. Her method looks easy and you can make a reversible quilt if you want. That is the method I am going to use for MY quilt this summer.



(luckydiver17 gives you the link for this video)

i thought gourmet quilter was a Kiwi?

This technique is NOT the way to go! Traditionally all THREE layers are quilted and then the blocks are joined. Also quilting with the batting side down on the feed dogs is NOT good! I don't have a link for you as I write, but please go to You Tube and search Quilt As You Go and view their tutorials. I'm sure you will abandon this method immediately!

I made a crazy quilt using the quilt as you go method. It was fine, and I enjoy it.
My only regret was that the seams were on the back uncovered. It would have been better if I had put a backing on it and tied it.
It was when I was a new quilter, and didn't think of it. There was lots of embroidery on it, so it looks great!
Mariah

Hmmm...stitching in the ditch with an open seam. I think I would try it on something small that gets used and washed often to see how it holds up. What is the stitch in the ditch being held with other than a piece of thread? You could also try instead of stitching directly in the ditch, stitch along side it a 1/8th or 1/4 inch.

If you watch Roses video, you can stitch along edge where top peice of material is folded under and another row of stitching on either side. IF YOU WANT you can stitch in the ditch from front instead. I will stitch on the back with bobbin thread matching top and it will be a reversable quilt too and much easier than binding peices having to be sewn on on both sides.

I made a QAYG and i was afraid of joining bulky seems so i joined all of my blocks with sashing. Rather than adding sashing on the back and hand stitching, i used a solid piece and did SITD to join the two layers. Unfortunately my sashing wasn't the right size and now theres a void in between all of the blocks. It makes it easier to fold the quilt exactly the same each time and all of the blocks are very stiff. It looks nice except where its joined. The cat loves it.