Originally Posted by SusieQOH (Post 8319791)

NZ, thanks for doing this awesome tutorial. I think QAYG has many advantages- one being to practice FMQ on a smaller piece. I'm still struggling with larger quilts Thanks!

Originally Posted by sewbizgirl (Post 8246438)

Repeat to join the next row. Then your "center" should be complete, like this:
https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...3-img_5016.jpg
You can bind your quilt at this point if you want to, but I think it looks more balanced if you add the same width border all around. To add the border, I used Marti Michell's "encased seam" technique. It's basically the same as putting on sashings, only you need to sew the batting strip onto the backing piece first. Cut the battings 2.5" and sew them on the backing part of the border, but 1/2" away from the joining seam. Then pin the border front and back to the edge of the quilt and sew with a 1/4" seam. When you press it open, the seam will be smooth with no bump and no gap. I do this on two opposite sides, and then the second two opposite sides. Then you have this, all ready to bind:
https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...6-img_5017.jpg

And here is the back view:
https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...6-img_5018.jpg

Don't forget to sew on top of the sashings, to hold the batting in place during washings. I like to do curlique lines, but straight lines or any other design is fine too. It doesn't take much.

Here is my quilt after quilting the sashings and border with a simple leaf vine.

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