Orphaned Blocks QAYG Challenge
 

I invite anyone interested in learning the "Quilt As You Go" = QAYG techniques to join us here in this thread. What Im hoping we accomplish is to explore different QAYG techniques and to discuss variations on those techniques making several quilts using Orphaned Blocks. You can also use any block pattern if you do not have orphaned blocks. The challenge itself is to explore the techniques, the bonus of this challenge is giving purpose to any orphaned or practice blocks we have tucked away.

I will be posting step by step pictures and point out what I had difficulty with or what I like about the results or what I didn't like about the results and I encourage everyone else to do the same. I suppose we could call it a learn as we go tutorial. If you would like to join in and are using a different QAYG technique then Im currently working on. I will encourage you to also post pictures in a step by step manner. {If you are willing} Once I have completed one technique I will post a complete tutorial link in my Signature where anyone can refer back to without searching through the numerous posts on the thread.

What I really want to emphasize on is.

1. Giving ourselves permission to make something that is not necessarily perfect.
2. Teaching each other as we learn.
3. Problem solving as a group.
4. Discussions on Planning a QAYG project, What type of quilts work better with this process or which technique works best for each type of quilt. I dont have a timeline planned out. It will be an ongoing challenge where anyone who wants to work on a QAYG project can enlist support as they work on their quilt.


I personally plan on doing my best to explain and through pictures and step by step explanations of the problems I personally experience share the process of learning and helping others as we explore each technique. I will link and refer to various tutorials, list books, or online classes. All copyright laws must be adhered to and I invite the attention and input of experienced QAYG quilters to also share their insights.


Open your creative options by adding the QAYG techniques to your list of accomplishments. https://gfx5.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr04/ltr/emo/smile.gifhttps://gfx5.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr04/ltr/emo/smile.gifhttps://gfx5.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr04/ltr/emo/smile.gifhttps://gfx5.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr04/ltr/emo/smile.gif

*** This Challenge has been approved by Patrice*** :thumbup:

I'm in!!! ... if I ever get off my tush and actually get something done (maybe when the weather cools down enough to go into my sewing room!!)

You've got my attention ... and interest!! :)
I know I can never learn enough.

So count me in as being along for this ride!!!




Hi CowTown Liz .......... looks like we Canucks outnumber the others! :)
And we already know that Jenniky is a wannabe Canuck!!!!!!!!! :D

I'm going to apologize in advance for my technical writing. It has become a natural style of writing for me as I organized the thoughts I want to share when explaining processes. Blame it on my military background. :p I will try my best to tone it down as I become more comfortable in my writing as the thread moves along.

I hope that I will have many who will join me in this adventure in quilting. I will do my best to answer or find an answer to any questions of the QAYG techniques I post in this thread. After I finish each quilt I will post a tutorial of all my Pictures and Notes in the Tutorial Section for anyone to refer back to. Im hoping that works well for everyone. If not, I will try to adjust to the needs of the thread.

The first quilt Im going to share. I made using DP9 squares (Disappearing Nine Patch) Here is a picture of my finished squares ready for quilting.

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Oh definitely a wannabe Canuck ;)... I was cheering for CANADA and the USA while watching the Olympics. :thumbup: Welcome Liz and QuiltE. :)

I am going to be using QAYG on the My Patriotic Town Quilt and also on The Monster Quilt and the BOM quilt.. So I will be sharing my links all over the place as I go along. :) Plus I won't be cluttering up the other threads. :rolleyes:

I'm willing to learn the QAYG method.

Thank you so much for doing this!!!!! :D

Oh drats ... there goes the numbers! :D

I can change my location from Ohio to Ontario if it will make you feel better. I spent a lot of time in WaWa growing up. Beautiful area! :o

So I have six fairy blocks and six butterfly blocks. I wanted my finished showing block to be 12.5 so my blocks are 13 X 13. I did not square up my blocks until after they were quilted. When I am ready to square up my block I will square them to 13 x 13.

The backing and batting for each block should be at minimal an inch larger all around the block. This is very important. You will most likely run into trouble if you make them smaller or the same size as your top block.

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For this project I am using a low loft 100% polyester batting. I cut my batting squares 14 x 14. For my backing I am using various tan to brown fats I purchased during a .99 cent sale at JoAnns. Don't worry folks I also support my local LQS and purchase fabric from them also. Actually most of the primary fabrics come from the LQS. :thumbup: I use the same 14 X 14 template to cut out my back how ever I am a little more generous as I cut around the template. The excess from the fat will go into my box to be cut up into premade squares for future scrappy projects.

I cut all twelve of my batting squares at the same time and then set them aside.

With all my twelve top squares pinned to the design board in their proper order (or you can lay them out on a bed or floor) I started cutting out my backing squares. I then pinned them on top of the top blocks in the order I wanted the back of my quilt to look. If you are using all the same color backing squares you do not need to do this step. Just cut all your backing squares and set them aside as you did with the batting. :thumbup:

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Surfergirl and Lovely Welcome :)

Are you ladies going to QAYG your BOM's or Orphaned Blocks or something entirely different?


I will be posting more, "How I did its'" tomorrow.

My BOM! But I may practice on some orphaned blocks first, though...

Add another Canuck to the group.:)

This is looking great Jenniky and I will follow along. I don't think I will use the technique on Franky but just might if I can't find enough of the perfect backing fabric. It's the sewing them all together at the end part that I'm really interested in/worried about. Come to think of it, it just might be perfect for Franky.

And, by the way Jenniky - fabulous blocks.

Works4me - Welcome Actually When I get to the Monster quilt you will see how I go about adjoining blocks of different sizes. This technique can be used when making Medallion quilts. :thumbup: So It could be Frankie's Answer down the road. :)

Everybody - Tomorrow Im going to share how I put my quilt sandwiches together. Wednesday I will share how they are sewn together in units and depending on how my schedule goes we might get to adjoining the units into rows also. :)

This sounds like what I need to get some of my blocks into a quilt...I will be playing with you... thank for the inspiration...:)

Judy in Phx, AZ

Thanks for doing this. Finally a project made just for all my orphan blocks. I'm in.

W4Me ... Yea!! Another Canuck to the fold! :) there's different techniques for QAYG and I'm sure that you can find one that would work for Franky! Perhaps quilt Franky as one giant block, then add the other blocks as sections to it?

LovelyL ... Of course, we'd love to have you as an Honourary Canuck! Besides O is for Ontario + Ohio and too, Ohio is just across the Lake from us! :) And you have the Wawa background!! :)

I'm gonna follow along here too. I plan on makin' my PC quilt as a QAYG. (I'm way behind on it.) I'd like ta see several different ways ta QAYG before I decide how I want ta do it. (QE - Am I messin' up your numbers?:D)

ha! with your country having about 10 times the population of our little country, we really don't have much hope! :)
I was just having some fun with it! :D

Count me in, too. I am especially interested in learning how to do the kind that is all machine stitched as I cannot do the head sewing due to physical restrictions.

I am along for the learning experience!

I know what you mean my sewing room is upstairs and there is no air conditioner up there not a lot gets done as far as sewing goes during the summer just a lot of fabric swaps were I can cut them down stairs and get them sent :) I am in also have made one but turned out kind of wonky and was not supposed to be. Trying to think of the name of the pattern but it escapes my memory right now and got rid of the pattern after I made it.

Welcome in Judy, Katfish, Dublb, Wildyard, Cbridges and Frustratedquilter. Wildyard we will definitely be covering all machine sewn QAYG techniques.

I would love to see some pictures of the orphaned or selected blocks everyone is planning to use. For practice purposes I would encourage those that are interested to select at the minimal four same sized blocks to put together. Another suggestion for this project would be to make six to eight solid 6 x 6 blocks. When you quilt each block uses a different quilt design method. For example stippling, meandering, echo, outline, diamond grid, cross-hatching. This will give you a lovely small wall quilt sampler to hang in your sewing room for future inspiration.

I'm definitely in. I've already started putting together a mystery quilt that way with a technique I saw on line and will have to finish it the way I started it. I have enough blocks waiting in the wings to do several more techniques.

I am very interested in learning this way to get things done.

Hello I'm in thanks for showing us.. Sorry not a canuck:thumbup:

Gardenrgal, Quilting Nurse, Ctiption, Ronda(rwquilts) welcome in I'm glad you all found your way here. :)


Was a long trip today into Danville, IL to pick up my quilt from the LAQ. :) She did and awesome job and I can hardly wait to start sewing the binding on. Im going to get a few things done then I will sit down and post Steps for making the quilting sandwiches and discuss quilting them and squaring them up to prepare to join the first units. :thumbup:

Would love to see everyone's orphaned blocks..... or should we call them adopted blocks now that they have found a home in this new project. :thumbup:

QuiltE - Check out my location now! :thumbup:

Jen, I'm going to join in so I can learn the QAYG techniques. I have lots of paper pieced blocks (in different sizes) from block swaps that I want to put into a quilt & I have the State Star blocks to put together. I think I'll practice on the swaps first then after I feel comfortable will work on the State Stars.

Here are some of the blocks. I think I have enough to select from and enough in the same sizes to practice on.

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Jen, thank you for taking the time to put this tutorial together.

Sandwiching the the squares is the term that means temporarily securing the top square, batting, and backing by basting. There are several ways to baste your blocks.

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Here is a picture of several squares I have sandwiched and ready for quilting. I used a spray baste.

Spray bastes should be used in a well ventilated area. If you are in a small enclosed sewing room you might consider spraying your fabrics outside or in the garage. Do not use spray bastes around small children for they may inadvertently inhale the spray adhesive. I sew in a very large living area with several ceiling fans going and the windows opened. So you will see my pictures are taken inside.

I spread out a large piece of fabric I have set aside for just this purpose. You can use and old sheet also. When I am done with all my spray basting I can then wash and dry the fabric or sheet and put it away for the next use. The over spray washes out easily. :)

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Hold the can 8 to 10 inches from the fabric and spray lightly. You do not want a heavy spray this could cause problems and gunk up you needle and machine when you are ready to sew. After you spray the fabric touch it to make sure that is is slightly tacky.

:cool: From this point you can do several different steps in different ways.

This is how I did it. I then carefully centered my top square onto the batting adhesive side down. Make sure not to over stretch the fabric on the batting, this could cause puckering or bunching later. Smooth the fabric over the batting gently. If the batting goes down wonky or has a crease you can simply and carefully pull the fabric back off the batting and re position it as you need to achieve a smooth centered top piece on your batting. I then apply a warm iron to heat set the adhesive.
Be gentle and lite with the iron. Pick up and set the iron down on the fabric instead of using a back and forth motion. Then I spray the backing in the same manner as the front and apply in the same manner. I now have a quilt square sandwich ready to machine or hand quilt.

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Would anyone else like to chime in and share with us the other methods of sandwiching or basting the three layers together????

I will stop here for tonight and tomorrow will share another step that can be very helpful after sandwiching and before quilting... Can anyone guess what that will be???

Have a wonderful evening Ladies... Oh and In the spirit of the olympics and an inspiration to start in. Im giving a honorary virtual gold, silver, and bronze medals to the first three who post their orphaned blocks sandwiched and ready for the next step. I wonder will it be USA or Canucks or one of our other international friends. :thumbup:

Patricia perfect have you decided on which ones at what size you are going to start with. The apples look great for a starter. :)

:D awwwwwwwwwwww sweeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!!! :D
How nice of you, LovelyL!





Jenniky ... I do the spray basting, but have never pressed with the iron after spraying. Is this something that the brand you are using recommends? Or the Jenniky special technique?

Nope not my technique it is a technique that is suggested in various different tutorials and books I have studied. Though it is not stated in the tutorials why you are doing this step. It is my understanding that it quickly sets (drys) the adhesive this helps to prevent residual adhesive transferring to your needle and machine parts and secures your three layers firmly for quilting. :) No specific brand is every stated. So Im assuming this works with all brands of adhesive to securely dry the adhesive before running it through your machine. :) If anyone has a different view or understanding please share. :thumbup: Good discussion question QuiltE. Thanks :)

I have that same blue can of spray basting ... gunked up my needle so bad, the machine timed out - now I know why!! (call me "heavy handed")

Jenniky ... I hope you don't mind. I think some of these types of questions are as important to the end results.

Seeing CowTownLiz's comment ... is that June Tailor spray, Jenniky?

CowTownLiz ... I had one can of June Tailor once and did not like the gunk as it sprayed on, the looks of it, or the spray. Seemed to get good coverage I had to be heavy handed, and then there was just too much goop that came out. And too the needle problems you mentioned. Went back to the 505 ... and haven't had the problem again.

NICE! this is very timely, I am working on using QAYG for a few things.
Here is a link to the blog where you can see one ongoing project (368 blocks project) and a recently completed project using QAYG, a wallhanging.

http://indigoatworkandplay.blogspot.com/

I am also thinking about locating a UFO project I started a couple of years ago, where I didnt know ANYTHING about QAYG and kind of got lost. This would be a great thread to share that with!