You are SEW correct QuiltE... :thumbup:thank you for pointing out about sewing off the block and how it applies to the integrity of our quilts. I completely agree it is important to learn good habits and minimize risk to having a heirloom quilt eventually unraveling.

I would add that in addition to learning good habits, I think it is equally important that we give ourselves the opportunity to not feel like we have to make a perfect or even great product the first time. In my experience; This can be daunting and even become a huge psychological barrier for not starting a project or trying something new at all.

" I've always been told that's a no-no!" Is anything really a no-no! ?? :confused: Or can you apply another technique or variation on a technique to attain the same quality in the end? *** Makes for good discussion ***

I think its problem solving at best. Each project I make is truly an adventure. :) Some adventures are more challenging (frustrating even) than others. :) Yet, each project I attempt and work through helps me to learn and also builds on my knowledge. Knowledge that I can then apply to problem solving techniques on future projects.

by QUILTE

Discussion Example:

Problem - I have a orphaned block that is 12.5 X 12.5 squared. I used this block to practice meandering. The block turned out really great and I was very pleased with the results. As it was a practice block I tucked it back away in a Tote as a now unfinished orphaned quilted block. I have some other un-quilted orphaned blocks sitting in the same tote but they are 9.5" X 9.5" blocks. I want to use all of these blocks including the 12.5 X 12.5 already quilted square in a (Quilt As You Go) QAYG Quilt. However, I have been told by several quilters and tutorials that it is a No-No to cut down a block or quilt after it has been quilted.

We as individuals as either Novice, Intermediate, or Master quilter will come at this problem from different angles and thought processes.



I am going to qualify what QuiltE has shared by saying, "Yes, it is about risk, IF you are making an expensive, high quality, meant to be a forever and ever heirloom quilt that you want to give to someone." "Yes, the more end cut threads you have increase the chances a thread can loosen itself over time." "For me, Getting away with something implies that I have miss-stepped or done something wrong."

In my opinion, as important as it is; that we build good habits and we are aware of what the standards of the skill trade we are learning is. I say, "It is also important that as novice and intermediate pupils of quilting we are kind to ourselves in the learning process, open to alternate ideas and techniques and the possibility that it can be done many different ways."

Im leaving the Discussion Example Question Open for just that Discussion.

1.How would you solve it?

2. Would decide not to use the already large quilted block because you think it may pose a future problem to the integrity of your quilt?

Please post some replies Ladies. There are no right answers in this its just a discussion of what we would do; Let's learn from each other. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:



by QuiltE

QuiltE thank you again for making this discussion possible by giving your input. Your AWESOME!!!! Girl :cool: :cool: :cool:

Ronda - I will take a look at the Fun and Done technique after breakfast and give you a reply post. :thumbup: :thumbup:

I went around my home this morning and did some pics and now think I can show you most of the quilting methods/styles that Jenniky has asked for pics.

Meandering ... often referred to as doodling or scribbling!
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Stippling ... to me it's just tiny meandering
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Top -- Stitched Both Sides of the Ditch; perhaps some would call this Echo?
Bottom -- Cross Hatching; it's a square grid on the diagonal, often done for square block assemblies, but not just for that.
Diamond Grid is the same idea, with rows of stitching crossing to make the diamond
[ATTACH=CONFIG]353436[/ATTACH]

Top -- Strip Quilting -- also called Stitch and Flip. No stitching shows from the top/front as once sewn, you flip your strip over to cover the stitching. From the back, you will see all the stitching.
Bottom Left -- SITD outlining each of the colour/fabric changes.
Bottom Right -- Stippling, see close up above.
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Stippling -- Cream background
SITD -- Outline where colours change
Top Stitching -- diagonal lines along sleeve edge; perhaps it would be called Echo Quilting?
Echo Quilting can be very effective around curved edges such as flowers and is often done in several rows or layers.
Cross Hatching on the black print but I doubt you can see that!
Not a quilting method/style but something that can add interest and dimension is a flange ... see the gold strips.
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Hope this helps everyone!!!

P.S. ... took awhile to put this post together, as I got interrupted watching our first Canadian Gold for the Olympics! Yeaaaaaaa!!!!!! :D

Fun & Done Quilting
 

Ronda is this the You Tube Video of Fun and Your Done you were referring to???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCcfgYQ5YMI

This is the only one that I found where special rulers were used. I recall the technique itself I have reviewed in other tutorials after I watched the video. I think this is one of the techniques I ran into back when I was a Newbie to quilting. It was confusing and difficult for me to understand in my early quilting days. Now that I have more experience in piecing blocks and quilting it is definitely clearer for me to figure the process out. Honestly I don't care much for the above tutorial link. It was hard for me to listen to with all the background noise and it wasn't till I went and looked at another tutorial and came back to look at this Bayside one that I had a better understanding of what she was trying to convey

I will be sure to share making a quilt using this technique and try to create my own tutorial to share down the line. As part of our QAYG exploration adventure. :thumbup:

Until I have actually made a quilt with the technique I'll have to reserve my opinion as to whether I like it or not. I agree that those special template rulers are not necessary to have success with this technique.

Will you share some pictures with us of the quilts you have made using this technique???

Has anyone else used this technique and if so would you share pictures of your quilt with us??


Thanks Ronda... great input. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

QUILTE - Once again darling..I have to say you are AWESOME!!!! :thumbup:

Thank you so much for taking the time this morning to go around your lovely house and share samples of quilting with us.

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Again... I have to say I would HIGHLY recommend buying this book as a resource to look up unknown terms you might see posted and to use as a technical resource for all of your quilting questions. It really is very comprehensive and very easy to understand.

Jenniky ... While I was doing pics, and then getting them ready in a post .... and watching the Olympics, you've put up another good post. Very intuitive on your part about some of what I was thinking/meaning but did not type. Also, some good discussion points.

Yes, heritage quilts need special attention to ensure they last. I tend to think that my quilts will not be such, being that I don't have the family to enjoy and appreciate them. That being said, I still strive to do the best I can do and know how to do at the time ... just because!!! More important, I don't want to see them fall apart with the first wash!! So yes, perhaps I overdo what is necessary, but that's just me! Err on the side of caution.

Oh my, what I have learned and how my abilities have changed and developed thru time. I think my biggest improvements have come since being part of the QB community ... I have learned SO much, thanks to so many who share so willingly on the boards.

I like the discussions we have and credit to you Jenniky for trying to encourage these within this thread. Yes, you caught me ... there is no "one" right way for anything ... and no "no-no's" exist! Sometimes it's a good reason for us to say "why"? or why not? I see it as gathering information ... and then do what makes sense for myself.

Often times, it's like a patchwork quilt of ideas that I've picked up in bits and pieces and then changed to what works for me! :)

You're most welcome!!

Another place for quilting terms and acronyms is the following thread ...
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t178507.html
Certainly not as complete or detailed as the book that Jenniky has recommended.

(BTW ... I plan to replace that thread with a new and improved one, so if anyone has further terms or acronyms to add, please post them to that thread and I will merge with the master list before posting.)

JenniKy...responding to the quilt blocks being different sizes...I've seen quilts planned with different size blocks. Here would be a perfect place for a strip of flying geese, simple four patch, or even a little block of appliqué if that's your thing. You would have to plan so that the entire strip of blocks would be the width of the quilt but it would be 12 1/2 inches tall all the way across. The beauty and fun of the quilting craft!

My question still has not been answered. What type of material are you to use for the backing?

In answer to your question, Jennky about my blocks. The background of my blocks is a green with butterflies and yes the picture of my blocks is on a blue bedspread. I have finished quilting my blocks and I will show pictures soon.

Thank you Quilte for the pictures of the different types of quilting. I looked on line and did not get much information.


Regarding the question about the block already quilted and would you use it in a quilt and cut it down or how would you solve the problem. I might make some smaller blocks to fill in so the other blocks would come out the same size as the larger block. Or cut the larger block down and stitch around the edge after it is cut. A third way would be to add borders to the smaller blocks so they were the same size as the bigger block.

Is a flange just a piece of fabric added to a portion of another color of material to accent something?

Also, since all of my blocks are quilted, it is my understanding from reading the posts, I am now to cut off the batting and backing so that my blocks measure 9". Is this right?

I really want to learn QAYG. Thanks for sharing your information.

by Ssnare

by Ssnare

Ssnare you are absolutely correct. I did everything but answer your question. :eek:

What I thought you were asking would of been covered by my answer.

***The third (back) layer of your sandwich is your backing. When your quilt is finished that third or back piece of the sandwich will be the back of your quilt.***

What you really really were asking was what type of material. DUH, Slaps Forehead :D First: to answer your question at this point I have used 100% cotton, and very thin flannels. For backings on my quilts. I have only tried 100% cotton on on the QAYG projects I am making. However I do plan to try one using flannel in the future.

Im thinking that how I became confused on your question was when you asked me if it was all right to use a thin material. I thought I had told you in that post what I was using. I regret the confusion. ;)

That is correct, then you will want to sew less than 1/4 of an inch all the way around your block. I was going to mention this as the first step before we started to attach our sashing strips. So I will wait to say more on that.:)

Welcome Nannyrick... I invite you to ask questions, Participate in the discussion and If possible make a project and share with us. :)

I listened to the youtube video from Bayside Quilting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCcfgYQ5YMI

It appeals to me for some quilts, so thanks Ronda. It seems there are alot of methods available which is what really makes quilting interesting.

DISCUSSION QUESTION in POST #121
 

In reply to the Discussion Question in Post #121

Quote:

---

Regarding the question about the block already quilted and would you use it in a quilt and cut it down or how would you solve the problem. I might make some smaller blocks to fill in so the other blocks would come out the same size as the larger block. Or cut the larger block down and stitch around the edge after it is cut. A third way would be to add borders to the smaller blocks so they were the same size as the bigger block.

---

By Ssnare

Thank you Ssnare for sharing your input with us. Good solution to the problem. :thumbup:

by Gardenergal

Thank you Gardenergal for sharing your input with us. Also a Good solution to the problem. :thumbup:

by Dublb

Thank you Dublb for sharing your input with us. Also a Good solution to the problem. :thumbup: :thumbup:

I would only emphasize the point that Dublb made regarding if you are planning to cut down the size of your block. She has listed excellent steps to ensure the integrity of the quilted block.

After each of our blocks are quilted and trimmed it is highly recommended to go around the edges of each block with less than a quarter inch seam.

I will blog this post to make it easier to find the replys. I encourage others to continue to give their input or questions regarding this hypothetical example problem.

Great Sharing Ladies. Thanks

BEFORE YOU IRON ON THAT SPRAY BASTING:

1) Be sure you are NOT using a polyester batting. It could melt!!!
2) Use a very light spray.

I use spray basting all the time, have for years. I have never one ironed it on. I also use cotton batting 99.9% of the time. In addition, I am a big proponent of hand basting. At least safety pin it.

I did a log cabin QAYG one time. I sewed each log by hand to the batting and batting. I did press each seam as I went (it was cotton batting).

And when I pressed each seam, it was one of those mini irons: shaped like a curling iron, tip shaped like a small arrowhead, made by Clover.

Great Input K9dancer Thank you.

On this first project I am using a low loft polyester batting on my QAYG and I am using a low heat iron on the fabric I am basting to it. So far I have never had any problems with melting. Also I never put the iron directly on the batting. I only let the iron come in contact with the 100% cotton fabric I am basting to the batting.

In a future QAYG technique quilt that I will be sharing the process of, I will be hand basting the squares, and also will pin baste some of the projects. So we can have an a discussion on various ways of basting.

I highly encourage sharing what works best for you continually as we explore QAYG techniques.

Thankyou again K9dancer. Umm! my Yorkshire wants to have the next dance... He is a real fun dancer himself.:D

Hi Jen,
I wanted to emphasize the facts you stated above, as that is SO important. I, for one, set my iron on high and it stays there for the duration, which could be really bad if I used poly batting. And with cotton batting, you must be prepared for shrinkage when pressing.

I'll clear a space on my dance card for your Yorkie.:thumbup:

Will you share some pictures with us of the quilts you have made using this technique???

Has anyone else used this technique and if so would you share pictures of your quilt with us??

Here are some pics of tablerunners & a quilt I did with the fun & done method. The scrap strip runners are the fun & done with the rulers. The blocks are 8 1/2". The runner & quilt are BOM I did with the fun & done technique, but they are 12 1/2" unfinished blocks...so I cut my batting the 12 1/2" & my backings are 14 1/2". I marked 1" all around the backing pieces, centered the top & batting (spray basted) & quilted away. Then put all together the way the fun & done is put together. The 1st runner is all the same fabric for the backing, the 2nd runner is 2 different fabrics (like this look for the front), the 3rd runner is the fabric same as the outer border (this one is the one I experiemented with adding an inner border), and the quilt has flannel for the backings & so carries over to the front. Very easy once you get the hang of it. So, fun & done can be used with rulers or without. It can be done the original way or with finished blocks. I also experimented with putting extra borders on the outsides & adding an inner border strip. Does this help you any, Jen?

QAYG Log Cabin pics
 

I have a web album that shows some of the pics. You can't see the whole quilt, as I do not have a wall or ladder big/tall enough.

\https://picasaweb.google.com/1141131...eat=directlink

VickiM - Thank you for sharing with us.:thumbup: You have made some very beautiful quilts with the Fun & Done Technique and yes it was very helpful to see some completed quilts with this process.:)

K9dancer- Your log cabin quilt is beautiful, A lot of love went into making all those squares. Thank you for sharing it with us.

So Ladies shall we explore the Fun & Done technique when we finish with the current method? My thoughts were to stay with the current method and next explore the variations of the Block by Block QAYG method we are currently discussing. If there is more interest in moving on to the Fun & Done method we can do that and then revisit the Block by Block QAYG Variations later. Post your vote and I will keep tally as we continue our current project discussions. :thumbup:

My vote is to stay with the current method and then explore the variations of the Block by Block QAYG method.

Attaching the units
 

Going to share a problem with you that I ran into on my first attempt of attaching squares on my other BOM quilt. One of my squares that I quilted the top squared pulled in some because I forgot lengthen my machine stitch for quilting instead I had been doing PP and I was using smaller stitching. So I figured if I went a head an squared up the block to match the other blocks at 12.5 I would be ok. Now I had about a 1/4 of an inch batting showing all the way around a few places a tad bit more in some. " So Im thinking to myself that the sashing will cover up my goof. Well for the most part it did. However there was still some batting that showed through I ended up pulling out my stitches (frogging) and had to rework my square. So I would recommend before you even start attaching your units if you have any batting showing you trim all of your squares down so they are the same size and there is no batting showing and don't forget to sew less than a 1/4" around the edges to help secure your quilted stitches. Just a thought and experience I wanted to share.

MAKE SURE:
To help prevent the quilted block from unraveling sew a less than 1/4" inch seam all the way around the block.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]353628[/ATTACH]

Now I am ready to attach my Sashing pieces to the first unit block. This partial tutorial I am only going to discuss how to attach the sashing to the first unit. This variation will give you a half an inch of sashing showing between the blocks. In a later variation we will cover step by step how to accommodate wider sashing’s using this technique.

OPTION: You can sew the sashing strips on in two steps or one. I am going to show you how to sew it in one step.

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First step take your top sashing piece and lay it right sides together on the top edge of your block side that you will be attaching. Next take your folded 1-3/4” bottom sashing piece and line up the raw edges with the backside edge of the block you are attaching.
Use pins to hold the strips in place.


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Now sew down the edge of the block with a ¼’ seam it is really important to be right on with your ¼’ seam.

**** tips: Does your walker foot have a marked ¼’ seam, if not you can measure it and put a piece of masking tape on your sewing machine to help guide you.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]353638[/ATTACH] As you can see in the picture the front side now has the sashing piece with a raw edge.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]353639[/ATTACH] The backside has a finished folded edge.


Press open the front raw edge sashing piece to prepare for the upcoming steps in a following post.

ATTACHING THE UNITS Part II
 

Now we are ready to attach the first unit to the second. Lay the blocks right sides together. At this point just the top layer of the sashing is going to get sewn to the second quilted block using a quarter inch seam. The back piece of folded sashing should be finger pressed out of the way. Make sure all your edges line up.

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[ATTACH=CONFIG]353663[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]353664[/ATTACH]

I actually found that putting a few pins holding the heavier quilted blocks together helped once I took it to the machine. The weight of the quilted squares pulled a bit because I currently do not have my Machine sitting down into a sewing surface.

EEK!!! I didnt take pictures of sewing the seam. Oh well.. :hunf: Sew a 1/4" quarter inch seam.


Now open the two attach blocks flat with the top side facing up. Lightly press with iron. Now turn the two attached units over and press down the folded back sashing over the raw edges and seams.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]353666[/ATTACH]
Your quilt blocks should be just butting up to each other. If there is a lil overlapping or bunching you can trim a bit to make sure the squares lay flat AND nicely butted up to each other, otherwise you could end up with a lump under your sashing.


OPTIONS: There are two ways to finish the back folding flap. You can hand sew it using a Blind Stitch like you would use on the binding of your quilt or you can machine sew.

It was easier for me to Hand blind stitch the fold closed.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]353677[/ATTACH]

I am going to share with you my attempt at machine stitching the flap closed. I found that the best way for me to gauge where my seam would end up on the front was to pin from the back to front and check where my seam was going to lay in front. Several frogging incidents later I had an acceptable seam showing front and back. (If I continue to practice, I am positive I will get better at the machine seam option.) The straighter your back seam the better results on the front side. Pictured below I almost had a perfect SID when I turned it over to show the front side. :thumbup:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]353670[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]353678[/ATTACH]


Because the sashing is so narrow the batting is fine being held together by two seams. When doing variations of this technique we will discuss other possible applications to your batting to help when you are using a wider sashing.

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This is my second row I have completed. The next tutorial post will be on attaching rows. :thumbup: :thumbup: :shock: :thumbup: :thumbup: LOL

Thanks Ronda :) always good to have feedback to know if Im getting the instructions across well. :thumbup:

I vote for variations to the method we are doing. Since I am new at this, I do not want to get too confused.

Tip: if you are using a vintage machine, use painter's tape instead of any other kind of tape. And remove the painter's tape when you are done. Any tape, left on long enough, will damage the finish on a vintage machine.
If your machine is white plastic, don't worry about it.

Great Tip K9dancer :thumbup: Making a notation to add that to my final Tutorial.

Do you do the basting by hand or can I use the machine? I really am not a fan of handwork.