Traditional Quilt-as-you-go
Also known as “lap quilting”, “QAYG is the technique of joining three layers – decorative top, batting, and backing – together in small, block-sized sections that are then connected to form the entire quilt” according to Georgia Bonesteel, author of Lap Quilting with Georgia Bonesteel. The blocks are made in manageable sections that are easily portable. Though the technique was particularly popular in the early 1980’s, it continues to delight quilters today.
Necessary supplies: you most likely already have what you need:
- low loft batting
- iron & ironing station
- Frixion pen or marking tool of your choice
- pins
- sewing machine
- matching thread
Step 1: Lay two of your finished blocks side by side with their backing side up. Roll the backing and batting back on the sides that are to be joined and pin them in place. You will be looking at the wrong side of the front fabric of your block. Place the two blocks right sides together and pin. Use a 1/4″ seam to sew the sides of the blocks together, backstitching at each end.
Step 2 You have several choices in joining the batting:
- if your batting is thin enough, you may decide to overlap the edges of the batting.
- if your batting is thin enough you may choose to include the batting from one block in the seam each time two blocks are joined, this will help to stabilize the block. Alternate between sewing batting from the left vs. right block in your seams.
- You may want to trim the batting to lay flush with each other, particularly if you’re using thicker batting. Consider loosely basting the batting pieces together where they meet.
Step 3 Allow one side of the backing to lay flat over the front seam and batting. Turn the other side under 1/4″ and press. Lay the 1/4″ seam over the flat piece of backing and pin in place. Use a slip stitch in a complimentary colored thread to secure the lapped seam closed. Be careful not to stitch through the layers to the front of your block.
Row x row assembly: Use steps 1 through 3 as described above to join rows of blocks together. You may choose any of the three methods of joining batting in step 2 depending on the thickness of the batting.
Each of the Quilt-As-You-Go techniques described here have their pros and cons depending on whether or not you enjoy hand stitching, would use batting tape and prefer to free motion quilt your blocks to look as one. I hope you’ll try each technique or carefully consider which is beneficial for the quilt you envision. Please read the descriptions carefully before deciding.
Happy quilting,
Kathy