Yes, you absolutely can quilt as you go (QAYG)! It's a widely recognized and popular method that allows quilters to manage their projects in smaller, more manageable sections, rather than quilting the entire quilt at once.
What is Quilting As You Go?
Quilting as you go is a technique where individual blocks or smaller sections of a quilt are quilted before being joined together to form the complete quilt top. This approach offers significant advantages, especially for larger projects or when working with a domestic sewing machine, as it eliminates the need to maneuver a bulky, fully layered quilt under the needle.
As demonstrated in the video clip "How to Quilt an Entire Quilt as You Go", the process often involves:
- Stitching your blocks together: This refers to the pieced quilt blocks that form the design of your quilt.
- Layering onto your backing piece: Each block or section is layered with its own piece of batting and backing. The reference specifically states, "When you stitch your blocks together. And then you'll layer it onto your backing piece."
- Ensuring the backing is slightly larger: For practical reasons, the backing material should extend beyond the edges of your block or section. The reference advises, "And you'll want your backing to be slightly larger. So you have a little room to maneuver when your quilting." This extra space provides flexibility and prevents the backing from being pulled too taut or getting caught while quilting.
Key Components of Quilting As You Go (QAYG)
Based on the provided reference, here's a breakdown of essential elements in the QAYG process:
| Component | Description (as per reference) |
|---|---|
| Blocks | Individual pieced sections that are stitched together before or during the layering process. |
| Layering | The process of placing the quilt block/top onto its designated backing piece (often with batting in between). |
| Backing | The bottom layer of the quilt, which needs to be "slightly larger" than the block/section being quilted. |
| Maneuverability | The primary benefit of having a slightly larger backing, allowing "room to maneuver when your quilting." |
Benefits of the QAYG Method
Quilting as you go offers several practical advantages for quilters of all skill levels:
- Ease of Handling: Perhaps the most significant benefit is that you're only quilting small sections at a time. This makes it much easier to fit under the arm of a standard sewing machine, especially for queen or king-sized quilts that would be cumbersome to quilt traditionally.
- Portability: Working on smaller units means you can easily take your project with you to a class, quilt group, or on the go.
- Versatility in Design: QAYG allows for varied quilting designs on each individual block or section, enabling more intricate and customized looks without the challenge of quilting a massive, unified piece.
- Less Physical Strain: Maneuvering a large quilt can be physically demanding. QAYG significantly reduces this strain by breaking the process into smaller, lighter tasks.
- Quick Sense of Accomplishment: Finishing and quilting individual blocks can provide a motivating sense of progress, keeping you engaged with your project.
Popular QAYG Techniques
While the core concept remains the same, several methods can be employed for quilting as you go, including:
- Block-by-Block Method: Each quilt block is layered with batting and backing, quilted individually, and then joined to other quilted blocks.
- Row-by-Row Method: Blocks are joined into rows, and then each row is layered, quilted, and subsequently joined to other quilted rows.
In essence, quilting as you go is an ingenious way to tackle quilting projects of any size, making the process more accessible and enjoyable for many quilters.
